The Department has recently published results from the fourth National Forest Inventory which includes comprehensive information on the current extent, state and composition of the Ireland’s national forest estate. Information is included on all forest types, both public and private.
The NFI is the only systematic national assessment of forest damage in Irish forests. Information is collected on forest damage at the individual tree and plot level. Forest health and vitality is affected by both abiotic (e.g. wind) and biotic (e.g. deer) factors. The types of forest damage recorded are those which are most common or cause most damage to Ireland’s forests.
Overall, the forest estate appears healthy. While nearly two-thirds (63.2%) of stocked forest areas displayed signs of forest damage present, the severity of the damage was primarily low to moderate. Damage caused by animals, competing vegetation, exposure and nutrient deficiency were the most common damage.
Biotic damage was recorded on 260,738 ha or 36.2% of the forest area. Damage caused by animals (e.g. browsing by deer) was the most common type of biotic damage, followed by vegetation competition and harvesting operations. Ash dieback is now widespread and was noted to be present at 34,395 ha of forests visited.
Abiotic damage was recorded on 338,160 ha or 46.9% of the forest area. Damage caused by climatic factors (e.g. exposure) was the most common type of damage, followed by nutrient deficiency and anthropogenic factors.
My Department continues to monitor and assess the ongoing health and condition of our forests to ensure that the overall resilience and biodiversity of our forests is maintained. Further information on the National Forest Inventory may be obtained from the Department’s website.
Through the proposed new Forest Strategy and associated implementation plan my Department is committed to addressing access issues by providing financial support for the sustainable development of new forest roads to the national forest estate.
