Provision of a Survey to verify Potential Turloughs

Tender description

Turloughs are listed as a priority habitat on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. This listing obliges Ireland to undertake surveillance of the habitats [as per Article 11, Habitats Directive] and to report regularly on the conservation status [as per Article 17, Habitats Directive]. The assessment of conservation status requires information on Range, Area, Structures & Functions and Future Prospects (Evans & Arvela, 2011). In 2007/8 all available data sources were collated to compile a list of known turloughs. OSi maps and aerial photos and the GSI karst database were also examined to expand the list to include potential turloughs. These data were further reviewed as part of the 2013 Conservation Status Assessments (NPWS, 2013). NPWS is calling for tenders to undertake surveys to verify the list of potential turloughs and therefore improve our knowledge on the range, distribution and extent of this priority habitat.