A new heritage and biodiversity plan for Co Kerry aims to collect information on landscapes of potential cultural and historic importance that have no protection under current legislation and are fast being eroded by new developments.
Although almost half the landscape of the county comes under EU and national designations, many of Kerry's iconic landscapes have no designations that would conserve them.
In recent months, small field systems in Mangerton and Coolies in Killarney in place since Famine times have been levelled.
Locals complained to the council's heritage office, but the field systems had no protection as they were not archaeological sites, did not come under EU special area of conservation or other legislation and the National Parks and Wildlife Service said it had no remit for them.
In the absence of specific protection for Kerry's myriad geological features, a quarry is gouging out some of the dramatic glacial landscape of Moll's Gap, while the county council itself has covered over a unique geological feature during road works this summer, it has emerged.
The four-year plan sets out a large programme of work including formulating a register of non-designated habitats, comprising woodlands and aquatic eco- systems, to protect biodiversity.
As well as field systems and other special landscapes, there is a need to conserve fast disappearing hedgerows, according to heritage officer Una Cosgrave-Hanley.
Surveys would have to be undertaken and inventories compiled and as well as heritage forums, non-governmental organisations will be involved.
Ms Cosgrave-Hanley said it was hoped that legislation and national guidelines being worked on by the Heritage Council for non-designated landscapes would be introduced in the lifetime of the plan.