Report Cover Vol I - Clare County Library

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The County Clare Wetlands Survey Patrick Crushell & Peter Foss 2008 ___________________________________________________________ Riparian woodland Riparian woodlands are wet woodland habitats of river margins (gallery woodland) and low islands that are subject to frequent flooding, or where water levels fluctuate as a result of tidal movement (in the lower reaches of rivers). Wet pedunculate oak-ash woodland Priority habitat under the EU Habitats Directive. This type of woodland is associated with areas that are flooded or waterlogged in winter but which dry out in summer. It occurs on periodically-flooded alluvial sites that are well above the limits of regular inundation, and on drumlins and other sites with heavy, poorly-drained clay soils that are subject to waterlogging. The woodland is dominated by Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) and/or Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), with other common components including Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Willows (Salix spp.) can be locally abundant. They occur widely throughout the country usually as small and isolated stands with the most extensive areas in the south-west. When flooding subsides in alluvial sites, exposed channels and depressions may remain wet or waterlogged. The area of alluvial forests has declined in Ireland and this, taken together with their fragmented nature, abundance of alien invasive species and sub-optimal grazing regimes and drainage continues to threaten the habitat. Rare habitat type in Clare, has been reported from Lough O'Grady cNHA. Riparian woodland is dominated by stands of Willows that may include native and non-native species. Alder (Alnus glutinosa) is occasional. Stands of Reed Canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea) are common. Indian Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), an introduced species, is locally abundant. These woodlands often reveal an accumulation of river borne debris, including dead vegetation and plastic, when water levels are low. A fine coating of grey mud on vegetation and tree bases that are regularly submerged and emersed is also characteristic. Their fragmented nature, abundance of alien invasive species and sub-optimal grazing regimes and drainage continues to threaten the habitat. Habitat is known to occur within the Lower River Shannon SAC. 33
The County Clare Wetlands Survey Patrick Crushell & Peter Foss 2008 ___________________________________________________________ Wet willow-alderash woodland Includes woodlands of permanently waterlogged sites that are dominated by willows (Salix spp.), Alder (Alnus glutinosa) or Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), or by various combinations of some or all of these trees. It includes woodlands of lake shores, stagnant waters and fens, known as carr, in addition to woodlands of spring-fed or flushed sites. Carr occurs on organic soils and fen peats that are subject to seasonal flooding but remain waterlogged even when flood waters recede. As the area of fen has declined so has the area of wet woodland, mostly as a result of activities such as peat cutting and mining, conifer afforestation, agricultural drainage and reclamation, infilling, and fertiliser pollution from adjacent farmland. Although drainage of fens may in some cases have led to a local short term increase in the cover of wet woodland in some areas. Likely to be the most common wet woodland type in County Clare, examples of the habitat can be seen within Dromore Woods and Loughs SAC. Bog woodland Priority habitat under the EU Habitats Directive. Woodlands found on intact ombrotrophic bogs (raised or blanket), bog margins and cutover bog. Bog woodland typically occurs on deep acid peat that is relatively well-drained in the upper layers and is commonly associated with former turf cutting activity or drainage or where internal raised bog drainage patterns allow the development of woodland stands (i.e. soak systems on bogs). It may also occur in areas of cutover bog where most of the peat has been removed. Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) is the usual dominant and may form pure stands. Willows (Salix spp.) may also occur. A characteristic feature is the ground cover of Sphagnum moss species which often form deep carpets, usually with Polytrichum mosses and occasional Lichens. Woodland of waterlogged acid peats in hollows or depressions in areas of upland woodland on siliceous rocks may also be included in this habitat category. Bog woodlands are closely associated with raised bogs, occurring either on intact bogs, on cutaway or on transition mires (transition between fen and bog). They are found mostly in the central and north midlands. Their total area is uncertain. They are threatened by drainage, peat cutting, burning and development; although in the long term it is believed that they will expand as cutaway re-floods. A relatively rare habitat in Clare, an example has been reported from Loughanilloon Bog Bog NHA. 34
Page 1 and 2: The County Clare Wetlands Survey 20
Page 3 and 4: The County Clare Wetlands Survey Pa
Page 35: The County Clare Wetlands Survey Pa
Page 87 and 88:
The County Clare Wetlands Survey Pa
Page 89 and 90:
Page 91 and 92:
Page 93 and 94:
Page 95 and 96:
Page 97 and 98:
Page 99 and 100:
Page 101 and 102:
Page 103 and 104:
Fossitt Classification Level Fossit
Page 105 and 106:
Fossitt Classification Level Fossit
Page 107 and 108:
Page 109 and 110:
Page 111 and 112:
Page 113 and 114:
Page 115 and 116:
Page 117 and 118:
Page 119 and 120:
Page 121 and 122:
Page 123 and 124:
Page 125 and 126:
Page 127 and 128:
Page 129 and 130:
Page 131 and 132:
Appendix 8. The County Clare Wetlan
Page 133 and 134:
Page 135 and 136:
Page 137 and 138:
Page 139 and 140:
Page 141 and 142:
show all

Report Cover Vol I - Clare County Library

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?