Environmentalists have warned that plant and animal species could become extinct in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland because of Brexit.
A fifth are already threatened and a hard environmental border could undermine common standards and water down protection of those most at risk, campaigners added.
Lobby groups from Northern Ireland and the Republic visited Brussels on Monday to voice concern.
Chairman of Northern Ireland Environment Link, Patrick Casement, said: "Our small island forms a single and unique unit in terms of our natural environment and our plant and animal species do not recognise the existence of a border.
"Many of these species are currently at risk of extinction on the island of Ireland and any dilution of protection will place them in further danger.
"Any future divergence or lowering of standards on either side of the border would be bad for the environment, bad for citizens, and also bad for business."
More than 650 pieces of EU legislation aid environmental protection in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
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