Historic graveyards are important places for biodiversity. Because of the respect given to graveyards, they tend to be relatively undisturbed, allowing many species to grow and develop without human involvement.
Bees are really important because they transfer pollen from plant to plant, helping them to reproduce. Bee numbers are reducing around the world and there are many efforts being made to save them. Ireland has more than 100 species of bee, with only one honeybee. The other species do not make honey and are either bumblebees or solitary bees. Bumblebees are social insects and store nectar in wax pots in their nests. Because these nectar stores are small they are always looking for food. Solitary bees, which make up the majority of the world’s bee species, nest in holes, usually in the ground. A study by Killanne Development Group found many solitary bee nests throughout the old graveyard.
The age and range of stones, and the lack of human disturbance, make graveyards great places for lichens to grow. Lichens come in a range of shapes and colours, with different species growing on different stone types. They can live for hundreds of years. Because a lot of lichens are sensitive to pollution, they are an indicator of clean air.
Another species that has been seen in the Killanne area, between the village and mountains, is Ireland’s only native reptile, the common lizard. Unlike a lot of lizards, the common lizard does not lay eggs. It gives birth to live young instead.
Citizen Science
Killanne Development has done some fantastic citizen science work in recording local species.
If you would like to record species, please do so using the Biodiversity Data Capture app, or online at Ireland’s Citizen Science Portal (https://records.biodiversityireland.ie/).