Conservation
Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation
Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation
(SACs) are designated under European Directive. The directive
on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna
and flora (the
Habitats Directive)requiers member states to designate
SACs to protect some of the most seriously threatened habitats
and species across Europe. Northern Ireland has designated
51 SACs, 29 of which contain peatland areas.
Special Protection Areas are designated under the European
Commission directive on Conservation of Wild Birds (The
Birds Directive). All the member states are required to
identify areas of international importance for breeding, migrating
and overwintering birds. Eleven SPAs have been established
in Northern Ireland, only one off which is a peatland site.
Map of peatland SPAs &
SACs
Click on a marker on the map above, to find out more about
the protected sites.
