Grey Squirrel – Botanic Gardens
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Control Method: In Italy, the government offers rewards for Grey Squirrel tails. However, elimination of individuals will not ensure control of the prolific Grey Squirrel. Planting more conifer trees is one method to favor Red Squirrels over Greys, although it appears that the Greys will adapt to most forest situations. Special food hoppers, which allow feeding by the lighter Red squirrel but not the Grey squirrel, can help to tip the balance in favor of red squirrels. Finally, captive breeding of Red Squirrels might help the re-introduction of the Reds to areas where the Greys are not as prevalent. Most environmentalists agree that Red Squirrels should not be re-introduced to areas dominated by the Grey Squirrel, as they will likely fail.
Botanic
Grey Squirrel – Botanic Gardens
Grey Squirrel – Botanic Gardens
Image by infomatique
Control Level Diagnosis: High – due to the potential increase in population size and distribution throughout Europe. Currently the Grey Squirrel is limited to England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Italy, but could easily move into France, Spain, Germany and Eastern European countries without difficulty.
National Botanic Gardens (Dublin)
National Botanic Gardens (Dublin)
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National Botanic Gardens (Dublin)
These colourful gardens cover a total area of 19.5 hectares, part of which is the natural flood plain of the river Tolka. The gardens contain a large plant collection which includes approximately 20,000 species and cultivars. There are four ranges of glasshouses including the recently restored Curvilinear Range. Notable features include herbaceous displays, rose garden, rockery, vegetable garden, arboretum, extensive shrub borders and wall plants. Gardens are accessible for people with disabilities but there are some steep gradients.
The new Education & Visitor Centre, due to open in September 2000, is fully accessible for people with disabilities.
National Botanic Gardens (Dublin)
National Botanic Gardens (Dublin)
Image by infomatique
National Botanic Gardens (Dublin)
The original purpose of the Gardens was to promote a scientific approach to the study of agriculture. In its early years the Gardens demonstrated plants that were useful for animal and human food and medicine and for dyeing but it also grew plants that promoted an understanding of systematic botany or were simply beautiful or interesting in themselves.
By the 1830’s, the agricultural purpose of the Gardens had been overtaken by the pursuit of botanical knowledge. This was facilitated by the arrival of plants from around the world and by closer contact with the great gardens in Britain, notably Kew and Edinburgh and plant importers such as Messrs. Veitch. By 1838, the basic shape of the Gardens had been established. Ninian Niven as Curator had in four years laid out the system of roads and paths and located many of the garden features that are present today.