What is the status of Ireland’s terrestrial areas?

River flows: there is an increase in flows across most of the country

There is an upward trend in river flow in the period 1972-2017.

However, there is evidence in recent years of an increase in potential drought conditions especially in the east.

Vegetation fires: most fires occur between March and June each year

The average area burned annually is 4,000 - 6,000 ha.

Upland heaths and blanket bogs have the strongest association with fires.

Land cover: the area of forests and artificial surfaces has increased

Land cover observations since 1990 show increases in the area covered by both artificial surfaces and forests and a decrease in wetland areas which include peatlands.

There has been a growth in forest extent of 30% from 1990 to 2018.

Above ground biomass: the total volume of trees and hence carbon sequestered in forest has increased above ground biomass

Privately owned forest that has been grant aided by the Irish government has undergone the largest increase in tree volume.

The volume of trees has increased by 38% between 2006 and 2017.