Towards a Liffey Valley Strategy Doc. 1 - Kildare.ie

(Potamogeton pectinatus), while Rigid Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
and St. John Nuttall’s waterweed grow in the slower waters of the river.
Reed Sweet-grass forms a mono-specific layer in places along the river
bankside. Areas dominated by this plant are low in diversity and of little
ecological value. Other parts of the bankside, not dominated by Reed
sweet-grass sustain more interesting floral assemblages with the occurrence
of Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus) and Green Figwort of particular
note.
Grasslands of value exist to the south of the river immediately west of the
War Memorial Park. These grasslands are typical of dry calcareous
conditions and support a diverse range of flora. They sustain a number of
species of orchids, including Early Purple (Orchis mascula) and Pyramidal
(Anacamptis pyramidalis). Yellow archangel is also associated with this
grassland.
The ecological value of the grassland areas has decreased with a reduction
in grazing, mainly by horses whose numbers have been restricted in more
recent times. In the absence of grazing animals an appropriate mowing
regime will have to be introduced to improve and maintain the biological
diversity of these grasslands and ensure that the area is not colonised by
rank vegetation. Semi-natural grasslands also exist on the north bank but a
lack of management in recent times has allowed rank grasslands,
dominated by weedy species to develop. The Memorial Park grasslands are
of little ecological value as they are intensively managed and dominated by
typical amenity grasses such as Perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne),
Creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera) and Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus).
An extensive area of woodland is found on a steep escarpment on the south
bank of the river by the War Memorial Gardens. The woodland is
dominated by Ash and Beech, while a number of other species occur
throughout the canopy such as Sycamore, Horse-chestnut and Lime (Tilia
spp.). The understory consists of Elder, Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna),
Willow spp., Hazel (Corylus avellana) and Ash and Elm saplings. Bramble
(Rubus fruticosus) forms a dense cover and together with the steep slopes of
the escarpment makes the woodland inaccessible in places. The ground
flora of this woodland is typical of a calcareous woodland, characterised by
Wood Avens , Lords and Ladies , Hart’s Tongue , Herb Robert (Geranium
robertianum) and Fern species. However the most notable attribute of the
ground flora is the occurrence of the Red Data Book specie Yellow
Archangel.
Other areas of woodland include the islands below Islandbridge Weir.
These woodlands are well developed with thick foliage bearing trees
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