Aibhneacha agus Locha
Cuireann uiscí intíre na hÉireann an-chuid gnáthóga fiadhúlra ar fáil - ó shrutháin sléibhe lán de charraigeacha go haibhneacha agus locha na hísealtíre. Bíonn tionchar ag doimhneacht, luas, teas agus ceimicí an uisce ar éagsúlacht flóra agus fána na n-aibhneacha.
Inchavore River, Co. Wicklow
Sceitheann bradáin agus bric i locháin éadoimhne tapa in aibhneacha. Seasann cora éisc mar dhealbha ar imeall an uisce agus iad ullamh le breith ar éisc nó eascanna.
Tumann gaibhne dubha isteach sna linnte agus scinneann siad leo thar ghrinneall na habhann ag ithe inveirteabrach uisce. Cuireann craobhacha tite gnáthóga ar fáil le haghaidh iasc agus feithidí uisce.
Rivers and Lakes
Heron
This heron was snapped in the Botanic Gardens, Dublin.
Copyright John KennedyHeron
Copyright John Kennedy
Copyright John Kennedy
Heron
This heron was snapped in the Botanic Gardens, Dublin.
Copyright John KennedyFrom rocky mountain streams to meandering lowland rivers and lakes, Ireland’s inland waters provide a wealth of wildlife habitats. The variety of flora and fauna in and beside rivers and lakes is influenced by the water’s depth, speed of flow, temperature and chemistry.
Salmon and trout spawn in shallow, fast-flowing riffles. Herons stand by the water’s edge still as statues, poised to strike out for fish and eels.
Dippers dive into the glide and scurry along the river bottom, feeding on aquatic invertebrates. Fallen branches collect in deeper, slower-flowing pools, providing habitat for aquatic insects and fish.