Baseline and monitoring surveys of selected populations of Vandenboschia speciosa in Ireland

Tender description

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, provides the legislative and policy framework for the conservation of nature and biodiversity in the Republic of Ireland. It also oversees its implementation, based on good science, with particular emphasis on the protection of habitats and species. The responsibilities of the Scientific Unit of NPWS include surveying and monitoring of populations and sites for rare vascular plant species. Ireland is obliged to undertake surveillance/monitoring (Article 11) of the species listed on the annexes of the EU Habitats Directive and to report regularly on their conservation status (Article 17). The present proposed surveys are required to provide up-to-date information on the distribution, population size, threat status and conservation needs of the EU Habitats Directive Annex II and Annex IV species, Vandenboschia speciosa (Willd.) Kunkel (synonym Trichomanes speciosum Willd.), commonly known as Killarney Fern. This large member of the Hymenophyllaceae (Filmy-fern family) has a typical fern two-stage life cycle, the first (gametophyte) stage comprising a filamentous structure which becomes interwoven to form felted mats or wefts and the second (sporophyte) the familiar fern frond stage. Gametophyte colonies can exist and reproduce in the absence of sporophytes. The species is restricted to damp, shady and humid habitats and is extremely sensitive to desiccation. The proposed survey will record the conservation status of the species in 37 populations in all 18 SACs for which the species is a qualifying interest. See RfT Document for further details.