Biodiversity is the short term commonly used when referring to biological diversity. It embraces the variety of plants and animals, and the habitats in which they live. The threat to world biodiversity is now recognised, with many countries committed to developing national strategies for biodiversity conservation. The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy, which was published in 2002, is the blueprint for conserving and improving biodiversity in Northern Ireland. It identifies a distinct role for local councils, and work is currently being carried out to produce the Banbridge Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP). This document will have recommendations for actions to help conserve and enhance the biodiversity of the Banbridge District for the future.

Altogether there are about 20,000 species of wildlife in Northern Ireland and very little is known about most of these species. But what is known is that a lot of very familiar species have declined rapidly in recent years. A list of 457 ‘Species of Conservation Concern’ has been drawn up. These species used to be common but are steadily declining. There is another list of 271 priority species, which are even more endangered. Many of these are declining very rapidly, or may have traditionally been scarce, and are now on the verge of extinction.

There is a great variety of wildlife in the Banbridge area – important habitats include unimproved grassland, mature woodlands, rivers, ponds and lakes, and the inter-drumlin wetlands which occur through the whole District. Each of these habitats supports its own range of plants and animals. The recently completed audit of the habitats and species that are recognised as being under threat has identified a number of species that are locally important to the Banbridge District.  These ‘Local Priority Species’ include the otter, Daubenton’s bat, Barn Owl, Yellowhammer, Curlew, Irish damselfly, Sundew and Primrose. Over the next few months and years, a number of projects will be implemented to enhance the biodiversity of the Banbridge District and in particular focusing on these species.

From the audit, it is apparent that there is a lack of records of species recorded in the District. Although completed, the audit is a working document and will be updated as and when new records become available. If you would like to assist with these records, please fill in the information on the downloadable recording cards and return to the Biodiversity Officer.

The Ulster Wildlife Trust is working in partnership with Banbridge District Council to produce a Local Biodiversity Action Plan for the Banbridge District.

Contact:
Mark Edgar - Biodiversity Officer
Leisure and Community Services Department, Banbridge District Council, Civic Building, Downshire Road, Banbridge, Co. Down BT32 3JY
T: 028 4062 5101 
F: 028 4066 0601
M: 07745 828630
E: mark.edgar@ulsterwildlifetrust.org