Current Distribution and Current Range Mapping representing the known or best estimate of national distributions of EU Annex I habitats and EU Annex II and IV species.

Current Distribution grids are symbolised based on the overall assessed Conservation Status of each habitat and species nationally, using the red green amber traffic light system as follows; Favourable: green, Bad: red, Inadequate: orange or Unknown: blue.

The Range is drawn as an envelope around the distribution using a standardised procedure. Horizontal or vertical gaps in the habitat distribution of 3 or more grid squares or oblique gaps of 2 or more squares are deemed enough to justify a break in the Range. Where ecological conditions for the development of the habitat are deemed unsuitable, gaps of just 1 grid square may also be permitted.

These distributions have been compiled from NPWS habitat monitoring surveys and other available data sources for Ireland's third Article 17 report on national conservation status of protected habitats and species in Ireland submitted in April 2019. The report is for the period 2013 to 2018. Article 17 reports cover the whole territory of each Member State.

The data were collated from a number of sources, primarily from scientific monitoring programmes commissioned by NPWS and DCCAE (including IFI). Additional data were sourced from, inter alia, local authority biodiversity data sets, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The National Biodiversity Data Centre provided supplementary distribution data for some species. Scientific publications were also reviewed to capture relevant academic data.

The 2019 Article 17 data and metadata are available for each habitat and species from the NPWS website: https://www.npws.ie/maps-and-data/habitat-and-species-data/article-17/2019/