Report Cover Vol I - Clare County Library

The County Clare Wetlands Survey Patrick Crushell & Peter Foss 2008
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MESOTROPHIC – freshwater lake systems containing moderate concentrations of mineral nutrients,
such as phosphorous, calcium and nitrogen. Having moderate levels of primary productivity or nutrients
(intermediate between oligotrophic and eutrophic).
MICROTOPOGRAPHY - Very small-scale variations in the height and roughness of the ground surface.
MINEROTROPHIC MIRE - A peatland system that is fed by ground water.
MIRE - A general term applied to peat producing ecosystems. cf. bog, peatland.
MONITORING – A repeat or repeats of a survey using the same methodology. Designed to look for or
measure specific changes and the rate or extent of change. Used to check the “health” quantity or quality
of a habitat or species.
MONTANE - Of or relating to mountains.
MOOR - Shallow acid peatland less than 40 cm peat depth, often resting on iron pan and podzol; and
dominated by ericaceous vegetation.
MOR HUMUS - Organic soil that is acid and comprises layers of plant litter.
MORAINE - Ridge or mound of unsorted mineral material deposited by glaciers.
MOSAIC - Used to describe habitats that occur together and cannot easily be mapped separately.
Complex pattern or patchwork of habitats or species occurring in intimate associations.
MUD - Silt/clay fraction where sediment particles are less than 0.063 mm in diameter.
MULTIPLE PRIVATE OWNERSHIP- Lands that are divided into areas which are privately owned. There
must be more than one private landowner under this heading. (lands in commonage are not described
under this heading).
NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (NPWS) – the section of the Environment Infrastructure
and Services division of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government with
responsibility for nature conservation and implementation of Government conservation policy as
enunciated by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
NATURA 2000 - A network of sites across the European Community, selected for the purpose of
conserving natural habitats and species of plants and animals which are rare, endangered or vulnerable
in the European Community. SACs and SPAs form the Natura 2000 network.
NATURAL HABITAT - Can be aquatic or terrestrial areas distinguished by geographic, abiotic and biotic
features, whether entirely natural or semi-natural.
NATURAL HERITAGE AREA (see also NHA types below) - The basic designation for wildlife
conservation is the Natural Heritage Area (NHA). This is an area considered important for the habitats
present or which holds species of plants and animals whose habitat needs protection. Some of these sites
are small, such as roosting areas for rare bats; others can be large such as a blanket bog or a sand dune
system. To date, 75 raised bogs have been given legal protection, covering some 23,000 hectares. A
further 73 blanket bogs, covering 37,000ha are also designated as NHAs. Under the Wildlife Amendment
Act (2000), NHAs are legally protected from damage from the date they are formally proposed for
designation.
pNHA - Proposed Natural Heritage Areas which were published on a non-statutory basis in 1995, but
have not since been statutorily proposed or designated. These sites are of significance for wildlife and
habitats. Some of the pNHAs are tiny, such as a roosting place for rare bats. Others are large - a
woodland or a lake, for example. The pNHAs cover approximately 65,000ha and designation will proceed
on a phased basis over the coming years.
Prior to statutory designation, pNHAs are subject to limited protection, in the form of:
Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) plans which require conservation of pNHAs and
operate for a period of 5 years
Forest Service requirement for NPWS approval before they will pay afforestation grants on pNHA
lands
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