Biodiversity crisis
Climate change and cumulative human interaction with the landscape is also responsible for soil degradation and the current biodiversity crisis. This crisis includes the displacement of species of fauna and flora, habitat reduction due to invasive species and a general deterioration of various ecosystems with a dramatic loss of wilderness globally. Protection of designated areas is managed by National Parks and Wildlife Services (more info on designated areas in the region here).
In the region, there are two local European Innovation Partnerships (EIP-AGRI) which support local farmers to change their management to protect the environment. These are the Pearl Mussel Project, with participants in the catchments of the Bundorragha River in Mayo and the Owenriff and Dawros rivers in Galway, and the North Connemara Locally Led Agri-Environmental Scheme, with participants from the two Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) in the 12 Bens and Maumturks Mountain ranges in Galway.
Another project, entitled the Wild Atlantic Nature Life integrated project, aims at blanket bog protection on the SACs of the Irish western sea board and include large parts of the region. The Lough Carra Life project has just started, which will focus on protecting Lough Carra‘s water for the benefit of both its residents and the local wildlife.
Both Galway and Mayo County Councils have prepared and implemented biodiversity plans to raise awareness among people and communities. They also promote specific actions like the implementation of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, which aims to support the population of all native pollinators in Ireland at various scales from private gardens to national parks. Four communities in the region, Ballintubber (about to be published), Ballinrobe, Headford and Cong, have also developed their own Nature and Wildlife/Biodiversity action plans.