New Wetland Map for County Westmeath

As part of the joint project to map Ireland's wetlands, a preliminary mapping survey of all wetlands (both known and potential wetland sites) in County Westmeath has just been completed. 

A significant number of additional potential wetlands have been discovered bringing the total of wetland sites recorded in the county to 444. 

The wetland sites mapped in Westmeath are those which have been reported in wide range of published sources, and previously unknown sites located through an aerial photographic analysis combined with sub soils data. 

Prior to this research project 113 wetland sites had been mapped within the county. This mapping project has located an additional 331 wetland sites throughout the county, bringing the total number to sites recorded to 444. Wetlands included on the map are areas of raised and blanket bog, fen, swamp, wet woodland, ponds, lakes and rivers.

The majority of the “new” sites identified have limited associated information on the wetland habitats that are likely to occur on the sites. County wetland surveys are required to address this information deficit.

The Wetland Map of Ireland now displays a total of 9,311 wetland sites for Ireland.