Biogeography

Biomes and Ecoregions

Kinsale, Ireland has a temperate deciduous forest biome (16). This biome is filled with trees that shed their leaves during one specific season (17). In Ireland, this season is during September, October, and November (18). Ireland has two ecoregions, the North Atlantic Moist Mixed Forests and the Celtic Broadleaf Forests (19). The ecoregion that Kinsale occupies is the Celtic Broadleaf Forest, which covers the majority of Ireland except for the North and some of the West (20).

Influences on Vegetation and Wildlife

Aside from the climate, the loss of biodiversity in Ireland can be linked back to agriculture and over-harvesting/over-fishing (21). The main culprit in the destruction of wild and native plants in Ireland is due to farming (22). Farming has brought practices like re-seeding, over-fertilizing, and the usage of herbicides, these practices can cause problems for native plants (22). Overfishing is a clear and huge problem in Ireland that is destroying the populations of cod and many other species in and around Ireland's shores (21). Destruction of certain species can cause imbalances in the food chains, destruction of ecosystems, rise of diseases, and in this case shortage of food for humans (23).

Climate Effect on Plants and Animals

Kinsale, Irelands climate experiences wet winters and dry summers making it suitable for many species of plants and animals to thrive, but as in every area it has its ups and downs which can make a harsher climate for plants and animals at times.

Many species of birds migrate from Iceland and Greenland to spend the winter in Ireland (24). As climate change affects the world these species of birds will face many factors like extreme weather and water shortages (25). Kinsales specific ecoregion and climate is best suitable for oak, birch, and ash trees and mosses, lichens, and liverworts (20). These plants are home to many small mammals and deer such as red deer, fallow deer, red fox, and Eurasian badger (20).

Topography

Kinsale, Ireland is a port town on the coast, its elevation is low with the highest elevation being around 60m and the lowest being 2m (26). Kinsale does not get a lot of cliffs nestling birds as higher-elevated towns and cities do, this is because the coast of Kinsale is at a lower elevation and does not contain any major cliffs (27). Since Kinsale is at low elevations it does not see a difference in the species present and the biggest factor is the climate.

Environmental Threats

Since Kinsale is on the coast and is close to sea level it sees a lot of flooding, coastal erosion, and tropical storms. Kinsale is already seen and is susceptible to future coastal erosion in the future (28). Kinsale is in the south of Ireland and from late in the summer to early fall winds and weather patterns from the Atlantic can produce tropical storms and make landfall in Ireland (29). With the presence of flooding and tropical storms is it inevitable that coastal erosion occurs. Coastal erosion can threaten human communities as well as ecosystems on land and in the water (30).

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