They might be small pockets of marshy ground, or they could be on bogs, in estuaries, or turloughs.
All these are wetland habitats, and are the focus of a new photographic contest to mark World Wetlands day today, February 2nd.
The global event marks 50 years since the signing of the Ramsar Convention, an international agreement on conservation and “wise use” of wetlands.
Ireland is a signatory to the agreement which aims to ensure protection of the ecosystems which tend to be taken for granted.
The Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee says that a combination of geology and abundant rain has “endowed Ireland with an extraordinary array of wetlands covering some 20% of the country”
The Clara Bog Ramsar site Photo: Peter Foss of Wetland Surveys Ireland
“There are many types of wetlands ranging from lakes, rivers, turloughs, bogs and estuaries to fens, marshes, wet woodlands, heaths and machair,” it says.
“While many wetlands are protected under EU environmental legislation, 45 of Ireland’s wetlands are Ramsar sites,” it says, and are part of the global Ramsar network.
These sites include Tralee Bay, Lough Corrib, Pollardstown Fen, Clara Bog and Coole Lough and Garryland wood.
Irelands Ramsar sites are important for their variety of wetlands habitats, for wintering and breeding birds and for plants, mammals and invertebrates.
Some 40% of all species live or breed in wetlands, and wetlands store 30% of land-based carbon which is vital for climate change mitigation.
The ecosystems also remove pollutants from circulation and provide protection from flooding and storms.
A video series is being rolled out today, launched by EcoEye presenter Anja Murray, with more details on Irish wetlands.ie
Photos of wetland habitats can be submitted via the Wetland Surveys Ireland Snapshot App until May 31st.
Prizes include OPW Family Heritage Cards, Biodiversity Ireland Swatch cards and inclusion in a 2022 Irish Wetlands Calendar.
