Protection of the Booterstown Marsh

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Dublin (FUA)

Region

Europe

Short description of the intervention

Booterstown Marsh, the only remaining saltmarsh on the south shore of Dublin Bay, plays a crucial role in the Dublin Bay Protection Plan. As part of South Dublin Bay's protected landscape, this unique 4.3-hectare brackish water marsh provides vital environmental and educational value within an urban setting. It supports three key habitats, ranging from freshwater to saltwater, creating essential feeding and roosting grounds for an array of migratory birds. The marsh attracts numerous bird species, including Moorhen, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Teal, Snipe, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Dunlin, and Brent Geese, establishing it as the only bird sanctuary in South Dublin Bay.
Booterstown Marsh’s ecological significance is underscored by its inclusion in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2025: Nature Recovery, Restoration & Reconnection. Managed by the Biodiversity Section of the council, this initiative focuses on protecting and enhancing Booterstown Marsh as part of a broader effort to restore natural habitats across the area. The council’s project addresses key factors in biodiversity loss—such as land use pressures, climate change, and invasive species—by implementing an annual monitoring program to prevent deterioration of critical EU Annex habitats and species.
An Taisce, a local NGO has managed the marsh reserve since the 1970s, dedicating efforts to conservation and public education. This habitat, along with other local ecosystems like the wetlands at Ballycorus and woodlands at Loughlinstown, serves as an essential natural defense against climate change, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping stabilize local landscapes by slowing floodwaters in catchment areas.(1-6)

Website of the intervention

https://www.antaisce.org/booterstown-marsh

Principal problems

Environmental Degradation

Biodiversity loss

Invasive alien species

Land use and Socio-economic change

Rapid urbanization

Resource Scarcity and Competition

Over-exploitation of natural resources (water resources, overgrazing, fisheries, mangroves, fore products)

Implementation area characterization

Climate

Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter)

Ecosystem

Coastal wetlands

Address

146 R118, Booterstown
Dublin
Ireland

Location

The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).

Area boundary (map-based)

NBS area image

Source of NBS area image

Source: https://www.google.com/maps/place/%D0%91%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%83%D0%BD+%D0%9C%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%88/@53.3104163,-6.2035558,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x486708d6a3c2548d:0x79d2429ad3de2158!8m2!3d53.3104161!4d-6.1985846!16s%2Fm%2F02rvxv8?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Total area

40468.60m²

NBS area

40468.60m²

Area description

Freshwater landscape (e.g. river, lake)

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Freshwater setting (e.g. river, channel, lake, pond)

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

2021

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

2021

End date of the intervention

2025

Present stage of the intervention

Ongoing

2. Objectives of the intervention

Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

To protect biodiversity and enhance resilience to climate change.
To safeguard important EU Annex habitats and species for long-term conservation.
To maintain Booterstown Marsh as a critical feeding and roosting area for local and migratory bird species.
To provide a refueling and resting spot for migrating birds, supporting essential migratory routes.
To offer three primary habitats, ranging from freshwater to saltwater, that support diverse species and ecological functions.
To mitigate the effects of climate change by capturing carbon dioxide, stabilizing soil, and reducing flood risks in the catchment area.
To raise awareness of biodiversity and ecosystem services through community engagement and educational initiatives.
To provide education and training for the public, local communities, and staff to foster environmental stewardship. (1-6)

Key Priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation)

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)

Social Justice and community

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)

Climate change adaptation

Climate change mitigation

Environmental quality

Soil quality improvement

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Habitat and biodiversity conservation

Water management (SDG 6)

Flood protection

Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)

Environmental education

Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

Implement measures that prevent/manage desertification, soil erosion and landslides

Restore mangroves, marshes, reefs and wetlands to dissipate the effects of storms and floodwaters

Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

Protect and restore coastal wetlands, mangroves and salt marshes, aiming at sequestering carbon dioxide and storing it in their soils

Raise public awareness of behaviours, lifestyle and cultural changes with mitigation potential

Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?

Ecosystem-focused

Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?

Protect and enhance urban habitats

Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems

Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem

Protect species

Undertake specific measures to protect species

Control and clean invasive alien species

Means for conservation governance

Biodiversity offsets

Raise public awareness

Capacity building

Implementation activities and NBS focus

Implementation activities

The implementation activities for the protection and enhancement of Booterstown Marsh, outlined in the Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2025, are primarily focused on safeguarding the marsh’s unique coastal ecosystem. A key activity is the annual monitoring program, developed and implemented by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), An Taisce, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Parks Department (DLR Parks), and the DLR Water and Drainage Department (6, p. 72). This program aims to protect the EU Annex habitats and species present at the marsh, including 68 protected plant species and various bird species, by preventing their deterioration and loss and implementing yearly clean up programmes, soil stabilization methods and clearing invasive species (1). The plan also involves providing education and raising awareness of biodiversity and ecosystem services among the public, decision-makers and educators through various activities such as bird watching, training and education programmes to promote appreciation of biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services. (1, 6)

Type of NBS project

Ecological restoration of ecosystems

Soil remediation and revegetation

Ecological restoration of existing green spaces

Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems)

Protection of natural ecosystems

Protecton and enhancement of wetlands (other types than peatlands and mangroves, e.g. seagrass)

Habitat conservation

Knowledge creation and awareness raising

Educational and awareness raising programs

Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity

Clearing out invasive alien species and allow natural regeneration maintaining the functionality the ecosystem

Species-specific monitoring and conservation programs

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

Blue infrastructure

Coastal wetland, mangroves and salt marshes

Amenities offered by the NBS

Benches and drinking water stations

Viewing and outlook points

Design elements for well-being

Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation)

Auditory elements (e.g., birdsong, water features, quiet areas, rustling leaves)

Olfactory elements (e.g., floral scents, earthy smells)

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Regulating services

Carbon storage/sequestration

Flood regulation

Habitat and supporting services

Habitats for species

Cultural services

Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)

Scale

Spatial scale

Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level

Beneficiaries

Demographics in implementation area

The area of Blackrock-Booterstown, which spans 0.791 km², had a population of 3,629 as of the 2022 Census. The population density was 4,588 people per square kilometer, and the annual population growth rate between 2016 and 2022 was 0.92%. The ethnicity of the population in Blackrock-Booterstown is predominantly Irish, with 69% of residents born in Ireland and 31% born in other countries (8).

Socio-economic profile of the area

Unknown

Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts

Unknown

Non-government actors

Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches

Primary Beneficiaries

Non-government organisation/Civil Society

Citizens or community groups

Specify primary beneficiaries

An Taisce, a non-government organization, has been managing Booterstown Marsh since the 1970s, protecting the habitat and facilitating conservation efforts. Additionally, the marsh provides an amenity for local communities, allowing residents to engage with nature through birdwatching, environmental education, and community stewardship. (1)

Marginalized groups

Unknown

Other beneficiaries

Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)

Endangered species (flora and fauna)

Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas)

Ecosystem services (e.g. improved air quality, water purification)

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Co-governance with government and non-government actors

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

The implementation of the Booterstown Marsh project is driven by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Parks Department (DLR Parks), and the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Water and Drainage Department (DLR Water and Drainage). Together, they are responsible for carrying out the Biodiversity Action Plan, which includes an annual monitoring program and several educational activities involving the community (6, p. 72). The community is involved in cleaning activities as well as educational ones through which people learn about the marshes and their benefits. (1, 2, 6)

Key actors - initiating organization

Non-government organisation/civil society

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

National government

Local government/municipality

Citizens or community group

Stages of citizen and community engagement

On-the-ground implementation

Level of citizen and community engagement

Moderate

Community empowerment or capacity-building initiatives

Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings

Formation of community-led groups responsible for the the implementation, maintenace or monitoring of the project

Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders)

Dissemination of information and education

Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)

Co-management/Joint management

Uncommon actors ("Missing actors")

Unknown

Land owners

Public space owned by the city

Policy drivers

NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy

Yes

Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy"

Natura 2000 (1)

NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan

Yes

Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan

Wildlife Act (Flora Protection Order of 1987) (1)

If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme/type of the plan

National Biodiversity Strategy or Action Plan

NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan

Yes

Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"

Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2025 (6)

Relevant strategy or plan

Biodiversity strategy or plan

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Mandatory (based on policy)

Intervention is mandatory

Environmental regulation

Enablers & Barriers

Type of enablers

NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation

Governace and decison-making instruments

Legislative and regulatory instruments (e.g. laws, strategies, regulations or restrictions)

Strategic instruments (e.g. GI strategies, green space strategy or plans)

Standards, certifications or guidelines (e.g. standards for accessible green space; biodiversity standards)

Educational and knowledge sharing instruments (e.g. science/ living labs, awareness raising campaigns, specific educational programs, green hubs)

Arrangements for governance cooperation

Formal coordination mechanisms to oversee project implementation and decision-making (e.g., multi-stakeholder steering committees, working groups)

Barriers

The marsh has historically faced threats from urban development, as evidenced by past reclamation and infilling. For instance, planning permission was recently refused for a leisure center near the marsh due to its potential environmental impact on EU protected habitats (3).

Financing

Total cost

Unknown

Please specify total cost (EUR)

Unknown

What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?

Unknown

Source(s) of funding

Public local authority budget

Type of fund(s) used

Earmarked public budget

Non-financial contribution

Yes

Who provided the non-financial contribution?

Citizens (e.g. volunteering)

Type of non-financial contribution

Provision of labour

Co-finance for NBS

Entrepreneurship opportunities

Business models

Risk reduction model

Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Public actor (e.g. municipality)

Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)

5. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Climate change

Enhanced carbon sequestration

Expected enhanced carbon sequestration

Environmental quality

Improved stability of slopes

Expected improved stability of slopes

Water management and blue areas

Increased protection against flooding

Expected increased protection against flooding

Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems

Expected enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems

Green space and habitat

Reduced biodiversity loss

Expected reduced biodiversity loss

Increased number of species present

Expected increased number of species present

Description of environmental benefits

--Expected enhanced carbon sequestration/--Expected increased protection against flooding: "Many of the measures to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity will have knock-on benefits for society, such as: flood protection, climate regulation, carbon sequestration" (Ref. 6, 26)
--Expected improved stability of slopes: "For example, habitats such as wetlands at Ballycourus; woodlands at Loughlinstown; and marshes at Booterstown, can help to both mitigate the effects of climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and by stabilizing slopes or slowing flood waters in catchments. " (Ref. 6, p.26)
-Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems: "Protect and enhance Booterstown Marsh, an important, unique coastal area within DLR and an EU Natura 2000 site." (Ref. 6, p. 51)
-Reduced biodiversity loss: "To protect the important EU Annex habitats and species at Booterstown Marsh and to prevent their deterioration and loss." (Ref. 6, p. 72)
-Increased number of species present: "68 plant species protected, along with its habitat." (Ref. 1)

Environmental impact indicators

Total number of vascular plant species protected or introduced

Total area of protected or secured natural areas (in ha)

4,3

Description of economic benefits

Unknown

Evidence for use of assessment

Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process

Yes

Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts

National government

Local government/municipality

Non-government organisation/civil society

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Yes

Type of indicators

Progress indicators

Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports

Yes

Link to monitoring/evaluation reports

https://www.pleanala.ie/anbordpleanala/media/abp/cases/reports/308/r308900a.pdf…

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Name of any specific impact assessment tools

Unknown

Use of GIS in mapping impacts

No evidence in public records

Cost-benefit analysis

Unknown

Transparency

Inclusion of diverse stakeholders in project governance processes (e.g. planning, implementation, monitoring, etc.)

Justice

Community satisfaction

Unknown

Description of locals satisfaction with the project

Unknown

Trade-offs & Negative impacts

Unknown

Please specify Trade-offs & Negative impacts Selected

Unknown

Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement

No initiatives or policies were implemented

High-quality & Transformative NBS

Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community)

Goal setting and impacts delivery

In the planning phase, the project aimed to address issues in all 3 key priority areas, but impacts were not delivered in all three key areas.

Reaching original project goals

Most of the project goals were achieved

Please specify the achievements of the project goals

Climate action and biodiversity:
--Expected enhanced carbon sequestration/--Expected increased protection against flooding: "Many of the measures to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity will have knock-on benefits for society, such as: flood protection, climate regulation, carbon sequestration" (Ref. 6, 26)
--Expected improved stability of slopes: "For example, habitats such as wetlands at Ballycourus; woodlands at Loughlinstown; and marshes at Booterstown, can help to both mitigate the effects of climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and by stabilizing slopes or slowing flood waters in catchments. " (Ref. 6, p.26)
-Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems: "Protect and enhance Booterstown Marsh, an important, unique coastal area within DLR and an EU Natura 2000 site." (Ref. 6, p. 51)
-Reduced biodiversity loss: "To protect the important EU Annex habitats and species at Booterstown Marsh and to prevent their deterioration and loss." (Ref. 6, p. 72)
-Increased number of species present: "68 plant species protected, along with its habitat." (Ref. 1)
Social justice and community:
-Protection of natural heritage: "Protected Natural Heritage Area and Special Area of Conservation." (Ref. 7)
--Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature: "actions to raise awareness of biodiversity and ecosystem services; to provide education and training to the public, local communities and our staff; to organise events and activities to
promote biodiversity; and to work with our local communities on biodiversity projects." (Ref. 6, p. 36)

Long-term perspective

Yes

Cost-effective solutions

Unknown

Equitable impacts

A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project

Transformative capacity

Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution)

Magnitude of change

Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation

Application of lessons learned

The NBS has informed policy and regulatory processes

Perception of Environmental Change

Unknown

6. Sources

References

An Taisce (n.d.). Booterstown Marsh, Dublin. An Taisce, Accessed on September 26, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Ollerton, J. (n.d.). Is Booterstown Marsh the best small urban nature reserve in Europe?. Jeff Ollerton, Accessed on September 26, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Robinson, A. (2021). Booterstown Marsh – A unique Dublin Bay wetland. Coast Monkey, Accessed on September 26, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Kirby, A. (2023). Booterstown Marsh. Birdingplaces, Accessed on September 26, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

South Dublin BWI (n.d.). Birdwatching Sites - South Dublin. South Dublin BWI , Accessed on September 26, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Comhairle Contae Country Council (n.d.). Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2025. Comhairle Contae Country Council, Accessed on September 26, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Kelly, O. (2020). Booterstown marsh ‘biodiversity’ centre proposals ‘excessive’. The Irish Times, Accessed on September 26, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

City Population (2023). Blackrock-Booterstown. City Population, Accessed on September 26, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (n.d.). Biodiversity Education Programme. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Accessed on September 26, 2024, [Source link] [Archive];

Comments and notes

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