Download Nature and Wildlife in Roscommon - The Heritage Council

Goods aNd services provided By Biodiversity
Photo by Giorria Environmental
Services
Photo by John Earley
Photo by John Earley
Harvested turf drying. Photo by
John Earley
cleaN air
Trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into
the atmosphere. A single tree can absorb between 650-750kg of carbon
dioxide in its lifetime! In towns, trees can filter air-borne pollutants,
making the air we breathe cleaner.
cleaN Water
Clean water is critical for society’s health, environment, agriculture,
economy and well-being. Wetlands that form a fringe around watery
places help protect water quality by intercepting pollutants that
otherwise might wash into our lakes and rivers. They also act as ‘sponges’
holding water and releasing it slowly.
soil fertility
Hundreds of organisms, from tiny microbes to beetles to earthworms
are part of nature’s recycling system. They breakdown dead plant and
animal matter returning the nutrients to the soil. They also help release
nutrients that are key for health plant growth from organic material in
soils.
food
All food originates from living things, plants or animals. It is important
to conserve the genetic diversity of crops and domestic animals in order
to ensure they can survive future climatic and environmental change,
and in order to breed for pest and disease resistance.
BuildiNG materials
Timber has a multitude of uses and much of the timber used in Irish
buildings is now grown in Ireland.
fuel
Most fuels, including wood, turf, coal, oil and gas, have their origins in
organic living matter.
6