Biodiversity in Laois

Biodiversity is the word used to describe all living things on earth – plants, animals, humans and habitats and the links and relationships between them.

Biodiversity is vital to life on earth. The variety of life provides us with food, clothes, medicines, places to live as well as contributing to our quality of life through recreation and tourism.

The biodiversity of Laois is just as crucial to all of our lives as the rainforests of tropical lands, or the lions and elephants of the African plains. Maybe even more so, as the biodiversity on our doorstep or in our backyard is available for us to see, hear and smell directly, for our children to experience for themselves.

These pages contain information on the species and habitats of importance to biodiversity in Laois, as well as the action that Laois Heritage Office is taking to protect biodiversity.

Further Information

The national biodiversity awareness-raising campaign, Notice Nature, contains further information on biodiversity and events. The National Parks and Wildlife Service is the State organisation with responsibility for conserving biodiversity.