Site Inspection Reporting (SIR) is the process by which activities and their impacts on designated sites are recorded by NPWS Conservation Rangers. Reporting is carried out on a three-yearly cycle. The data collected details the overall condition of the site and lists the activities that have influenced its general integrity. All summary information gathered during the reporting cycles were databased, and summary statistics on the integrity of NHAs, SACs and SPAs were derived.
Total area (ha) of Special Areas of Conservation negatively affected by various activities in the three-year periods ending in 2001 and 2003 respectively.
European Union Member states are required to report at 6-yearly intervals on the implementation of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora). This report details progress with the implementation of the Directive including advancements in management plans for protected areas; conservation measures undertaken in protected areas and developments in monitoring and surveillance of our protected species and habitats.
The report also includes the first baseline assessment of the conservation status of habitats and species that are afforded protection by the Directive. Each assessment includes an evaluation of the range, habitat area, habitat structure and functions, species population estimates, area of suitable habitat for species and future prospects and concludes with an overall verdict of "good-green", "inadequate-amber" or "bad-red". The assessments were derived following strict EU guideline by NPWS Scientific staff and Ecological experts in the Scientific Community.
Download Summary Results from the 2007 Conservation Assessments report 
[116KB]. The complete results, including supporting documentation, will be published in full once the process is complete.
Members of Research Branch can be contacted by e-mailing: natureconservation@environ.ie.