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Rachael Salik

Biodiversity and Cultural Diversity in Ireland


The term biodiversity is used to describe the variety of life in an environment.
This includes ecosystems, plants, animals, species, microorganisms, and much more.
Biodiversity is essential to life and it provides food, medicines, fuel, and many other
products and services. Both Irelands marine and terrestrials environments are host to a
variety of habitats and species, making Ireland rich in biodiversity. Meanwhile, the term
cultural diversity is used to describe different cultures and the beliefs and customs that go
along with these cultures. These two types of diversity go hand in hand, all across the
world.
These two types of diversity are directly related to one another. In order to have
cultural diversity biodiversity is needed, and vice versa. Ireland is rich in biodiversity
both on land and in water there are many species that call Ireland home. These species
vary from algae to whales and everything in between. The Green-Schools website writes,
Ireland is home to about 815 flowering plants, about 80 native ferns, more
than 700 mosses and liverworts, 3,500 fungi, over 1,000 lichens and 1,400
algae. There are 32 terrestrial mammals, ten bat species, two species of
seals and about 24 whales and dolphins. About 425 species of birds have
been recorded in Ireland, about half of these birds breed here (GreenSchools).
These are the many species that can be found in Ireland, and they show the richness of
the environment in this country. Potatoes are a well-known and important crop in Ireland,
which are formed as a result of biodiversity and also play a big role in cultural diversity.
In the 1800s Ireland went what is now called, The Great Potato Famine, and during this

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time period the Irish population was devastated due to issues with biodiversity. The figure
below gives more information about the potato famine. This is a prime example of how
biodiversity and cultural diversity are intertwined with one another. There were threats to
biodiversity in the 1800s and as a result Ireland began to lose a major crop that the
country heavily relied on. Without this crop Irelands population suffered and
consequently so did their culture.

Biodiversity also plays a major role in the world of tourism in Ireland. This is a
country with a lush landscape and a variety of ecosystems that are host to many different
species of plants, animals, and other forms of life. These unique environments attract
both local and international tourists, which brings in revenue for Ireland. In 2013 tourism
had a revenue of about 5.7 billion in Ireland, which is roughly around 6 billion US
dollars (Tourism). Below is a map of Ireland that shows various refugees, national parks,
and reservations all of which may attract tourists.

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One part of Irish culture that is fairly well known around the world is St. Patricks
Day. This well-known day and Irish holiday may never have happened without
biodiversity. The legend behind this famous day is that snakes invaded Ireland and St.
Patrick was the one to drive the snakes into the sea, saving Ireland and so in
commemoration of this heroic act a holiday was formed to recognize St. Patrick
(ORaifeartaigh). These snakes were present in Ireland due to biodiversity and so this
cultural legend and custom formed as a result of this factor of biodiversity.

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There are multitudes of ways in which cultural diversity and biodiversity are
intertwined. From customs to legends, and tourism to food the connections are endless.
In order to have biodiversity cultural diversity is also needed. These two types of
diversity, as different as they may seem, heavily coincide with one another. In addition,
they both reciprocate the positives and negatives effects of their partner.

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Sources
Biodiversity in Ireland. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2015, from
http://www.greenschoolsireland.org/biodiversity/biodiversity-in-ireland.366.html
Kennedy, S. (n.d.). Loss of Biodiversity Infographic. Retrieved April 9, 2015, from
http://www.distancelearning.org/resources/loss-of-biodiversity-infographic/
Lucey, J., & Doris, Y. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2015, from
http://epa.ie/pubs/reports/biodiversity/EPA_Biodiversity.pdf
O'Raifeartaigh, T. (n.d.). Saint Patrick. Retrieved April 9, 2015, from
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/446636/Saint-Patrick
Tourism. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2015, from http://www.dttas.ie/tourism

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