PART II
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Ecozone to Biome:
On the broadest biogeographic scale, Ireland is located in the Palearctic ecozone. The Palearctic zone include all of Europe, much of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. See Ecozone map E to the right. This region is associated with temperate climates, such as that of Ireland. The Palearctic zone is divided into biome subclasses, usually based on the types of forests found in the area. The biomes of Ireland are mixed deciduous forests, specifically North Atlantic moist and Celtic broadleaf. See respective forest biome maps F and G below. The combination of conditions that make up these biomes include a cool temperate climate, with an average temperature of about 10°C, and adequate precipitation, between 760 and 1520 millimetres per year (refer to Part I climate information). Ireland is located at a more southerly latitude than taiga or tundra biomes, and therefore receives the levels of moisture and temperature appropriate to favour such forests.
On the broadest biogeographic scale, Ireland is located in the Palearctic ecozone. The Palearctic zone include all of Europe, much of Asia, and parts of northern Africa. See Ecozone map E to the right. This region is associated with temperate climates, such as that of Ireland. The Palearctic zone is divided into biome subclasses, usually based on the types of forests found in the area. The biomes of Ireland are mixed deciduous forests, specifically North Atlantic moist and Celtic broadleaf. See respective forest biome maps F and G below. The combination of conditions that make up these biomes include a cool temperate climate, with an average temperature of about 10°C, and adequate precipitation, between 760 and 1520 millimetres per year (refer to Part I climate information). Ireland is located at a more southerly latitude than taiga or tundra biomes, and therefore receives the levels of moisture and temperature appropriate to favour such forests.
Made obvious by the visuals above, most of Ireland is classified as Celtic broadleaf forest. Because of the island's relative proximity to the warm North Atlantic current, climate conditions vary in that area, enough to be labelled North Atlantic moist.
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Ecosystems:
On the more focused end of the biogeographic spectrum, the biomes of Ireland can be divided into smaller ecosystems based on the characteristics of an immediate area, accounting for factors such as types of vegetation, species of animals, and physical elements. Important types of ecosystems found in Ireland include peat bogs, woodlands, marshes, hedges, lakes, marine fishing grounds, rockpools, even coral reefs. In terms of relative location, most of the natural ecosystems in the country are located in the mid- and far-west regions of the island. The eastern side is well populated, so urban development has removed much of the native flora and fauna. See Population Density map H to the right. Because of the lower population and more rural conditions of the western regions, natural ecosystems continue to thrive. Many are also preserved through the efforts of Ireland's 6 national parks. Whether land or aquatic, each of these types of ecosystems are important to the environmental balance of the country. See examples I, J, and K below:
On the more focused end of the biogeographic spectrum, the biomes of Ireland can be divided into smaller ecosystems based on the characteristics of an immediate area, accounting for factors such as types of vegetation, species of animals, and physical elements. Important types of ecosystems found in Ireland include peat bogs, woodlands, marshes, hedges, lakes, marine fishing grounds, rockpools, even coral reefs. In terms of relative location, most of the natural ecosystems in the country are located in the mid- and far-west regions of the island. The eastern side is well populated, so urban development has removed much of the native flora and fauna. See Population Density map H to the right. Because of the lower population and more rural conditions of the western regions, natural ecosystems continue to thrive. Many are also preserved through the efforts of Ireland's 6 national parks. Whether land or aquatic, each of these types of ecosystems are important to the environmental balance of the country. See examples I, J, and K below:
Flora and Fauna:
Considering how diverse Ireland's ecosystems are, it makes sense that the range of organisms that inhabit them is also diverse. Ireland's ecosystems sustain many types of animals and vegetation. Because of it's deciduous and broadleaf classifications, much of the flora found in Ireland are varieties of tree, including species of ash, birch, aspen, elm, alder, and oak. Because of Ireland's consistently mild temperatures and abundant precipitation, Ireland remains green and fertile yearround. Summer and winter bring little change for the vegetation, except for perhaps a dusting of snow in colder parts of colder years.
Considering how diverse Ireland's ecosystems are, it makes sense that the range of organisms that inhabit them is also diverse. Ireland's ecosystems sustain many types of animals and vegetation. Because of it's deciduous and broadleaf classifications, much of the flora found in Ireland are varieties of tree, including species of ash, birch, aspen, elm, alder, and oak. Because of Ireland's consistently mild temperatures and abundant precipitation, Ireland remains green and fertile yearround. Summer and winter bring little change for the vegetation, except for perhaps a dusting of snow in colder parts of colder years.
There are no images to perfectly display the effects of summer and winter conditions on Ireland's vegetation; but, these satellite images L and M taken in those respective seasons are an adequate visual tool for assessing the change. One can see that, in winter, even under the snow, Ireland's vegetation remains green. It's this property that gave the country it's nickname of 'Emerald Isle.'
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Equally assorted are the faunae found throughout Ireland, all with varying degrees of commonality. Only a limited number of animals are native to the country, given its separation from the rest of the European mainland. However, many that have been introduced are now completely naturalised. Other animals found in Ireland are migratory, especially aquatic organisms and some birds. Both types of biomes (refer above) sustain similar varieties of animals, including (but not limited to) the following:
Ireland has also experienced the extinction of species of auk, elk, beaver, bear, wolf, and wildcat. The country also sustains a mysterious absence of snakes, legendarily attributed to Saint Patrick. See photos N, O, P, and Q below for examples of Ireland's most common flora and fauna:
- small mammals including deer, fox, weasel, bat, hedgehog, badger, and otter.
- about 400 bird species, including small tree species (robin, wren, swallow, etc.), aquatic and wading species (puffin, curlew, godwit, etc.), and small birds of prey (owl, eagle, kite, etc.). Many are migratory.
- one native land reptile, the Viviparous lizard, as well as five species of sea turtle.
- few species of amphibian. Three, in fact -- the European brown frog, the smooth newt, and the natterjack toad
- about 415 species of salt- and freshwater fish. Other aquatic animals include mammals such as dolphins, porpoises, orca whales, and rare walruses, as well as marine invertebrates that can be observed in rock pools.
- an estimated 11,500 species of insect
Ireland has also experienced the extinction of species of auk, elk, beaver, bear, wolf, and wildcat. The country also sustains a mysterious absence of snakes, legendarily attributed to Saint Patrick. See photos N, O, P, and Q below for examples of Ireland's most common flora and fauna: