The Burren is one of those rare and magical places where geology, glacial history, botany, zoology and millennia of cultural history have converged to create a unique landscape of extraordinary natural history interest. It is without equal to any other area in Ireland or Britain.

To the unsuspecting tourist, much of the landscape of the Burren looks bleak, rocky, and inhospitable for any sort of farming. Yet the Burren is an agricultural landscape that has been continuously farmed since the first settlers began clearing the forest cover in the Neolithic period. Today there are several hundred farms within the Burren area. Most of these families live and work there and the farmers are crucial for the Burren's future as an area of unique landscape and ecological interest.

The area attracts any naturalist with an eye for beauty, but it is the intricacies of the species' ecology, their links to the soil or to a particular insect that is really fascinating. It is a veritable paradise for naturalists - not only do plants seem to grow on next to nothing, but all the organisms have survived the comings and goings of woodland, the multiple mouths of grazing animals and the passage of several civilisations over 6,000 years. How they have persisted in such exuberance and diversity is a testament to their past evolution and to the gene complement that they have accumulated over several million years previously, allowing them to adapt to a multitude of different conditions.

In this timely addition to the New Naturalist Library, the authors examine the ecology of the Burren, delving into the history of its exploration. One of the overriding concerns is the impact of tourism, which has been accelerated and stimulated by the promotion of the Wild Atlantic Way in recent years. Its impact is currently being addressed by the Geopark LIFE project, along with other tourism-related issues. Any future expansion of the Burren National Park, coupled with more vigilant, but judicious, land management, would have potential to enhance the protection of biodiversity. As 'the jewel in the ecological crown of Ireland', the area must be imaginatively protected and managed for our present and future generations.

About the Author

David Cabot is an Irish naturalist and writer. He was educated at University College, Oxford and Trinity College, Dublin, where he studied natural sciences, going on to University College, Galway, where he obtained a PhD in ecology of bird parasites while lecturing in Zoology. For twenty years he worked as an ecologist and was responsible for Ireland's National Heritage Inventory, developing nature conservation policy, later also as special environmental advisor to two Irish Prime Ministers. An all-round field naturalist and ecologist, he specialises in wildfowl and seabirds, enjoying the arduous life of fieldwork on islands, in the Arctic and other wild places. He lives in County Mayo, on the edge of the Atlantic.

Reviews

Praise for David Cabot:

'A comprehensive addition to Collins' iconic New Naturalist series. Lavishly illustrated ... this book should provide great inspiration.' Birdwatch

'Informative and beautifully illustrated throughout' IBIS

'The authors and publishers deserve our gratitude for a product that is not only thorough, comprehensive, and a joy to read, but lavishly illustrated with carefully chosen colour photographs and sketches [...] The book is very well written and beautifully illustrated [...] a delight to add to the bookshelf.' Journal of Field Ornithology

'Ireland is a monumental, near-definitive natural history of this country ... a valuable, scientifically-based, professionally-indexed and accessible study ...' The Irish Times

'An outstanding reference work as well as a compendium of fascinating detail. It deserves an honoured place on the library shelves of every home and school.' Sunday Independent Dublin

Book Information
ISBN 9780008183790
Author David Cabot
Format Paperback
Page Count 480
Imprint William Collins
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 1010g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 149mm * 30mm