GS PAPER II: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Context: A pair of cranes was spotted last year on a restored peat bog. The common crane is typically seen in Ireland during the winter, but is not sighted during the breeding season. Last year was the first time in over 300 years that they were spotted nesting in Ireland during this period.

What do we know about the cranes?

• Cranes stand at 4 feet tall with a wingspan of over 7 feet, and used to be the largest birds in Ireland.
• They are connected with the history and culture of the country, featuring in folklore tales and in the names of towns.
• Although they were once common, the destruction of their habitat saw them disappear around the 16th and 17th century.

Why is bog restoration important?

• Bogs are soft, spongy wetlands that accumulate peat– a fossil fuel that is used for heating homes and businesses in northern Europ
• They are formed in northern climates, and take thousands of years to develop.
• Bogs also act as carbon sinks, sequestering around 200 million tons of carbon from the environment in Siberia and Scandinavia.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-the-return-of-a-bird-to-ireland-after-300-years-matters-7317600/

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