The State is spending over €110,000 on studies concerning the only toad species in Ireland and a rare butterfly. The Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht confirmed it is spending €56,413 to carry out a monitoring project on the natterjack toad, which is found mainly in Co Kerry.
In response to a Freedom of Information request, the department also confirmed it is spending €54,500 on the first ever national study of the marsh fritillary butterfly, the only legally protected insect out of 12,000 Irish insects.
Natterjack expert Mark Emmerson of Queen’s University Belfast yesterday described the toad as an “iconic species”.
The State is spending over €110,000 on studies concerning the only toad species in Ireland and a rare butterfly.
The Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht confirmed it is spending €56,413 to carry out a monitoring project on the natterjack toad, which is found mainly in Co Kerry.
In response to a Freedom of Information request, the department also confirmed it is spending €54,500 on the first ever national study of the marsh fritillary butterfly, the only legally protected insect out of 12,000 Irish insects.
Both the toad and butterfly are protected under the EU habitats directive, which requires member states to carry out strict protective measures to ensure a favourable conservation status for the species.
Mr Emmerson said that the toad study was “money well spent”. He said the alternative was “fines from the EU” and that the toad’s conservation status in Ireland was “poor”.
Adult natterjacks, which can live up to 15 years, are 60mm–70mm in length and are distinguished by a yellow line down the middle of the back.
Mr Emmerson said the toad is under pressure due to wetlands being drained and reclaimed for farming.
There are an estimated 9,000 adult natterjacks.
Mr Emmerson said the toad was unlikely to disappear from Ireland, but said “this all depends on the natterjack toad finding adequate breeding habitats”.
The marsh fritillary favours wet fields, but that its population has come under pressure through drainage favoured by European CAP reform.
Sweeney Consultancy has secured the contract for the toad survey and is due to deliver its final report in November.
Woodrow Sustainable Solutions secured the contract for the marsh fritillary and its study is due to be completed next month.
