New wetlands located in County Limerick

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

A significant number of additional wetlands have been recorded in the county bringing the total of wetland sites recorded in the county to 258. 

The wetland sites mapped in Limerick 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 52 wetland sites were recognised within the county. This mapping project has located an additional 206 wetland sites throughout the county, bringing the total number to sites recorded to 258. Wetlands included on the map are areas of raised, upland and lowland blanket bog, fen, swamp, wet woodland, salt marsh, lakes, rivers and coastal saltmarsh.

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 8495 wetland sites for Ireland.