Download Nature and Wildlife in Roscommon - The Heritage Council

Tadpole. Photo by John Earley
Water germander. Photo by John Earley
Whooper swan. Photo by John Earley
Brown trout. Photo by John Earley
Left: Meadowsweet. Photo by John Earley
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value of WetlaNds
Lough Key. Photo by Giorria Environmental Services
There are many different types of wetlands
found in Ireland. Rivers, lakes, ponds, turloughs,
reservoirs, floodplains, bogs, fens, marsh, swamp,
wet woodlands and peatlands are all types of
wetlands found in Roscommon. Wetlands are
hugely important for biodiversity, recreation, water
supply, landscapes and flooding control. Many
birds, fish, invertebrates, small mammals and
plants live in and around wet places. Many wetlands
are productive habitats and therefore support a
vast array of wildlife. Wetlands are great places for
recreation; boating, fishing, swimming and walking
along. Wetlands either act a water sources, or are
important in helping maintain our water quality by
acting as ‘filters’ and prevent excessive nutrients
or pollutants entering watercourses. Wetlands
are often beautiful places and therefore greatly
enhance our landscapes. And finally, wetlands act
as ‘sponges’ holding water, releasing it slowly, and
therefore are important in flood control.
Flooding at Lough Bofin, November 2009