Biodiversity Conservation on the Aran Islands
Rich in biodiversity, the Aran Islands are a unique ecological gem located off the west coast of Ireland. These islands show how traditional farming methods and ecological preservation may coexist peacefully in addition to supporting a wide variety of flora and wildlife. Serving as an essential part of conservation efforts.
BioDiversity Conservation Photo Gallery:
Flora and Fauna
The Aran Islands are home to a diverse range of species, many of which are rare or endangered. This includes 21 species of butterflies, like the nationally endangered Small Blue Butterfly and the near-threatened Dingy Skipper.
The flora on the islands is equally impressive, with plants like the Kidney Vetch and Birds-foot-trefoil providing essential nourishment for these butterflies.
The islands also host unique bumblebee varieties such as the Bombus muscorum var. allenellus, found only in this locale. Additionally, the rare Narrow-mouthed whorled snail thrives here, benefiting from the specific micro-climate maintained by traditional grazing practices.
Special Habitats
The Machair and limestone pavements are among the Aran Islands’ most precious habitats.
Machair, a rare coastal grassland, supports a variety of plant species and is pivotal for bird nesting during the summer.
Limestone pavements are another critical habitat, providing a unique ecosystem that supports various orchids and other specialist flora.
These habitats are recognized under the EU Habitats Directive as Priority Habitats due to their international conservation importance.
Birdlife
The islands’ bird populations benefit immensely from the mosaic of habitats created by low-intensity farming.
Notable species include the Red-listed Lapwing, which nests on the Machair grasslands, and the Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, and Little Tern, which find sanctuary here.
Pyrrhocorax (Chough) has a suitable habitat thanks to the winter grazing, the Chough, a crow family member distinguished by its red beak, as it needs short turf grazed meadows in order to hunt grubs and insects.
The farming system’s rotational grazing creates an ideal environment for these and other ground-nesting birds, which are declining in other parts of Ireland.
See more video content on the AranLife youtube channel