National Fen Survey

Client: National Parks and Wildlife Service

7210 Cladium Fen habitat at Pollardstown Fen, Co. Kildare. Photo by Rory Hodd.

In 2021, BEC Consultants commenced a multi-year survey of the fen habitats of Ireland, which concluded in 2025. The main focus of the survey is the three Annex I fen habitats:

  • 7140 Transition mire
  • 7210 Cladium fen
  • 7230 Alkaline fen

The project carried out detailed surveys of 432 fen sites identified through a desk study, which significantly ground-truthed the Article 17 fen habitat distribution map that formed part of the NPWS’ National Conservation Assessments published in 2019. In addition to the Annex I fen habitats, non-Annex fen was also be mapped in detail and vegetation data collected to allow the refinement of the Irish Vegetation Classification (IVC) in relation to fen vegetation types.

The project carried out detailed surveys of 432 fen sites identified through a desk study, which significantly ground-truthed the Article 17 fen habitat distribution map that formed part of the NPWS’ National Conservation Assessments published in 2019. In addition to the Annex I fen habitats, non-Annex fen was also be mapped in detail and vegetation data collected to allow the refinement of the Irish Vegetation Classification (IVC) in relation to fen vegetation types.

The main outputs of the project were a baseline distribution map of fen habitat in Ireland, up-to-date National Conservation Assessments for the three Annex I fen habitats (NPWS, 2025), a final report, and site reports for all the fen sites surveyed during the project.

The National Fen Survey built on the foundation laid by the Pilot Fen Survey completed by BEC Consultants in 2019-2020 (O’Neill, 2023).

Citation:

NPWS (2025) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Volume 1: Summary Overview. Unpublished NPWS report. Edited by: Domhnall Finch, Aoife Delaney, Fionnuala O’Neill and Deirdre Lynn.

O’Neill, F.H., Perrin, P.M., Denyer, J., Martin, J.R., Brophy, J.T. & Daly, O.H. (2023) Scoping study and pilot survey of fens. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 143. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Ireland.