Turning the tide of habitat restoration in south Mayo

The Dúlra project, a flagship initiative for invasive species control and habitat restoration, has restored over 1,000 hectares of blanket bog in and around Special Areas of Conservation across Galway and Mayo in 2024.

Managed by FORUM Connemara CLG, in partnership with the Leenane Development Association, the Dúlra Project is part of the Natura Communities initiative funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) via LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature.

The Dúlra Project employs locals and engages local communities in transformative habitat restoration and control of invasive rhododendron, marking a major step in biodiversity conservation in Ireland.

“This essential funding from NPWS enabled us to hire and train a dedicated team of 20 local operatives, who carried out extensive work successfully treating rhododendron across Connemara and parts of southwest Mayo,” said Sinéad Grimes, Dúlra Project Manager.

Highlighting the importance of the funding, Grimes added: “Without this support, these critical works simply would not have been possible.

"This funding not only facilitated on-the-ground action but also enabled local communities to do the work by providing training, employment and skills development opportunities in conservation.

"Through this project, we’ve reclaimed over 1,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive lands from invasive rhododendron; and trained locals in the skills needed to carry out maintenance, this is a real win for local communities.”

The Dúlra team recently completed the first phase of the project’s rhododendron control efforts in southwest Mayo.

Over a three-week period between October 29 and November 22, a dedicated team of 10 professionals worked in difficult conditions to manage the invasive Rhododendron ponticum, treating a total of approximately 360 hectares (ha) within the Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Further work is planned in 2025 to finalise these works in the area.

A second team was simultaneously working in South Connemara to clear lands in the Connemara Bog Complex SAC.

The team have previously cleared both commonage and private lands at various locations around the Twelve Bens/Garraun Complex and Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex SACs and hope to expand into the Maumturk Mountains and Lough Corrib SAC areas in the coming years.

The team employ the stem herbicide application method for controlling rhododendron as recommended by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

This approach ensures effective management of rhododendron while minimising environmental impact.

However, the team are unique in that they are the only group in Ireland making biochar with the cut rhododendron brash.

Biochar is a stable, carbon-rich material produced by heating organic matter, such as wood or plant waste, in a low-oxygen environment through a process called pyrolysis.

This innovative approach ensures that greenhouse gases, which would otherwise be released as the brash decomposes, are instead captured and locked into the biochar.

Remarkably, up to 88% of the carbon from the rhododendron is effectively removed from the carbon cycle.

By converting the biomass into biochar, the carbon is sequestered in a solid form that resists decomposition for hundreds of years.

This helps mitigate climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide and methane released into the atmosphere.

Biochar is a versatile material with a wide range of uses. It can improve soil fertility and structure by enhancing water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.

Additionally, biochar is used in water filtration, livestock feed supplements, and even as a component in construction materials.

This makes the team's work not only environmentally significant but also a valuable contribution to sustainable resource management.

Project collaborator and head of Leenane Development Association, Martin Gavin, a farmer from Leenane, expressed gratitude for the collective effort: "This work represents a critical step in restoring our ecosystems.

"The participation of landowners and the collaboration between the community, NPWS, Wild Atlantic Nature and the Dúlra team have been instrumental in achieving this success. We are proud of the progress and look forward to continuing these efforts in 2025."

The Dúlra Project remains committed to combating invasive species and protecting the region’s biodiversity.

"While significant progress has been made, follow-up work and community engagement will be essential to ensure the continued success of these efforts.

The Dúlra project continues to make significant strides in tackling invasive species and demonstrating the value of collaborative efforts in ecological restoration to protect Ireland's unique natural landscapes.

For more details on the project or to learn how you can get involved, visit the Dúlra Project Website on https://www.forumconnemara.ie/dulra or email dulra@forumconnemara.ie.