What is Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the number, variety and variability of organisms living on Earth. It includes all species, plants, animals and micro-organisms on land and in water, their genes and the ecosystems and ecological processes of which they are a part.

Biodiversity supports such diverse industries as agriculture, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, horticulture, construction and waste treatment. Ecosystems and their components are the world’s natural capital, providing the raw materials and services which are the basis of our economy and society. Lack of diversity in different species groups and types means that the number of services it can provide will be more limited. It is in our own interest to protect and preserve biodiversity. In 2008, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government published report which attempted to work out an estimate value for selected ecosystem services in the principal social and economic sectors. According to their calculations the current marginal value of ecosystems services in Ireland is estimated at over €2.6 billion per annum.

The single greatest impact on biodiversity is habitat loss through the conversion of land into residential and commercial developments, roads and other uses. This activity not only depletes habitats themselves, but also sub-divides the land into smaller sections, until only patches of original habitat remain. The patches are often too small and too far apart to support the needs of many species. We need to make sure that we provide space for species to survive and move. This is especially pertinent to ensure that successful adaptation of many species to climate change.

Policy Framework
The Convention on Biological Diversity was the first global agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, with 180 countries having ratified the agreement. Ireland signed the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992 and ratified it in 1996. The convention commits ratifying countries to balance economic development with the health and well-being of our natural resources. The Convention establishes three main goals: the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of natural resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of natural resources and ecosystem services.

The Habitats and the Birds Directives forms the cornerstone of Europe's nature conservation policy. The directives require the designation of protected sites where nature is given the highest priority under the Natura 2000 network and also incorporates a strict system of species protection.

The European Community (in 2001) undertook to halt the decline of biodiversity in the EU by 2010 and to restore habitats and natural systems. In 2006, the European Commission adopted a communication on “Halting the Loss by 2010- and beyond: Sustaining Ecosystem Services for Human Wellbeing”. The communication outlines the importance of biodiversity in achieving sustainable development and set out an EU Biodiversity Action Plan to achieve this.

As a signatory to the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio Convention), Ireland must implement its principles at national and local levels by formulating a biodiversity strategy. The National Biodiversity Plan (NBP) contains 91 Actions aimed at securing the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in Ireland, and where possible its enhancement. A revised NBP is set to be published. Comhar has produced a detailed set of recommendations for the new strategy.

Impact assessments aim to anticipate the future consequences of a current or proposed action. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process by which we measure the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the process by which the environmental considerations of plans and programmes are evaluated. SEA aims to integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of specified plans and programmes at an early stage making with a view to promoting sustainable development. Both of these have been transposed into Irish planning law.

In 2008, Ballymun became the first sub-county in Ireland to develop a Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP) set out the objectives for biodiversity conservation within the county, bringing together existing knowledge on the state of local habitats, flora and fauna and identifying the conservation needs within the county.

Conservation Areas
The main protected sites in Ireland are

• Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are prime wildlife conservation areas in the country. SACs in Ireland cover an area of approximately 10,900 square kilometres. 
• Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are designed to protect birds at their breeding, feeding, roosting and wintering areas. SACs and SPAs are selected and designated under the EU Habitats Directive.
• Natural Heritage Areas (NHA) give protection to areas that have special National significance for wildlife and habitats. 75 raised bogs and 73 blanket bogs covering a combined area of 60,000 hectares have been given legal protection. These sites are designated through The Wildlife Acts 1976-2000.
• Ireland provides other biodiversity conservation areas in the form of natures reserves and national parks. A Nature Reserve is protected under Ministerial order and most are owned by the State. There are six National Parks in Ireland. They are areas where steps have been taken to protect and prevent damage to a natural area.
  
• In addition, under the Wildlife Acts, the Minister may designate Refuges for wild birds or wild animals or flora and impose protective measures to conserve both the species and their habitats. Seven such refuges already exist; they are mainly islands or cliff faces.
  

Comhar’s Work
In 2004, Comhar was invited by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to establish a Biodiversity Working Group to bring stakeholder input to the mid-term review of the National Biodiversity Plan. The Biodiversity Forum was established under the auspices of Comhar in April 2006.

• In May 2008, the Biodiversity Forum made a substantial submission to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as part of the consultation process on the second National Biodiversity Plan. The submission was informed by a briefing paper, Conserving Ireland's Biodiversity, commissioned by Comhar SDC.
  
• In August 2008, Comhar SDC commissioned a briefing paper on the impacts of climate change on biodiversity in Ireland. The paper was presented to an all-Ireland workshop on biodiversity in Newry on 18th and 19th November 2008.