The Heritage Council has warned that Ireland's natural habitats and biodiversity are under threat.
The council said today that the natural range of plant and animal life needed for a healthy environment was decreasing in Ireland, with 95 bird and 120 plant species listed as endangered.
Ecologist Dr Liam Lysaght said the issue should be a concern for everybody on the island.
"The more diverse and healthy the environment around us, the better off we are," he said. "We're healthier ourselves as a nation."