Report Cover Vol I - Clare County Library

The County Clare Wetlands Survey Patrick Crushell & Peter Foss 2008
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5.2.5 Habitat Diversity and Wetlands
The varying geological, climatic and soil conditions referred to above have all contributed to a rich and
diverse landscape within the county. The variety of wetland habitats found within Clare is explored in
more detail in section 5.3.
The most well-known and studied part of County Clare is without a doubt the Burren, renowned for its
unique flora (and fauna). Plants occur here in abundance that are almost or totally unknown in the rest of
Ireland. Alpine species are mixed with arctic-alpines and purely arctic types, and amidst these groups,
Mediterranean species also find a suitable climate. The invertebrate fauna has also been examined, and
the same trends have been discerned in it. It includes several species unknown in Great Britain. It is the
mixture of geographical types that makes the Burren unique in Europe and of the greatest biological
interest.
The Clare coastline is also punctuated by areas of natural and scientific interest. These include the shore
south of Spanish Point for its marine biology. The Cliffs of Moher and to a lesser extent of Loop Head
support large nesting populations of seabirds, while on the south coast several estuaries, most notably
the Fergus, are visited by huge numbers of wildfowl and wading birds. Inland there are also wildfowl
resorts, Loughs Atedaun and Cleggan are good examples.
Many of the limestone lakes of Clare contain and are surrounded by an interesting flora. Two of these are
in the south, Ballycar Lough and Dromoland Lough, and as one goes north, elements of the Burren flora
appear in the community. This is best developed at Lough Bunny.
To the east, the old red sandstone stretches over to Lough Derg and above the drift is much covered by
blanket bog, except where natural woodland has persisted. Lough Derg itself has an interesting flora, well
shown at the mouth of the Scarriff River and including some juniper scrub (Goodwillie 1972).
5.3 Wetland Habitats in County Clare – a brief description
Clare contains a wide range of wetlands of high international and national importance. Due to the varying
topography, hydrology, climate, coastline and soils present it has wetland habitats ranging from raised
bogs, blanket bogs, fens, marshes, coastal lagoons, large riverine systems, variety of lakes, springs, wet
woodlands and many more. Clare is likely to contain some of the finest examples of calcareous fens,
springs and turloughs that occur in Ireland and Northwest Europe.
In the section which follows, a brief description and illustration of each of the main wetland habitat types
occurring in Clare, and being mapped as part of the County Clare Wetland Survey (CWS), are presented.
In addition to the general habitat descriptions this summary introduction to habitats includes some
additional information on the wildlife value of these habitats. An indication is also provided of the main
threats faced nationally by the more ‘natural’ of these habitats deemed to be of high conservation
importance, which is based on the NPWS report entitled ‘The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species
in Ireland’ (Anonymous 2008d).
For a more detailed description of the wetland habitat types, the main floral species that occur in them,
and detailed relationship of the Heritage Council classification system for habitats to the habitat
classification system used in the EU Habitats Directive the reader is referred to Appendix 6a and 6b at
the end of this report. The detailed habitat accounts in this Appendix are based on the Heritage Council
Guide to Habitats in Ireland (Fossitt 2000).
For further information on best practice management guidelines for many of the wetland habitats listed,
the reader is referred to “The Living Farmland – A Guide to Farming for Nature in Clare” (Anonymous
2008c) which provides practical advice on habitat maintenance and improvement for landowners and
farmers. In addition the NPWS website (www.npws.ie) provides a range of guidelines to help with the
protection, management and wise use of conservation worthy habitats and protected species including
information on the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), Farm Plan Schemes, Notifiable actions
inter alia. Furthermore the Irish Peatland Conservation Council have published a Management Handbook
for Peatland which provides practical advice on habitat restoration (see www.ipcc.ie).
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