Transcript Conservation Areas

Conservation Areas
Part of UNESCO Worlds first International Global Geopark.
This is an area recognised to have exceptional geological heritage
& natural landscape, which has a significant scientific value, is
particularly rare or beautiful.
A Geopark has a commitment to benefit the local economy, by
bringing tourists into the region, creating jobs and increasing the
need for new businesses.
There are 57 geoparks throughout the world and every 3 years
they undergo a stringent auditing process which will mean they
retain or loose their status.
UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are strictly protected sites designated
under the EC Habitats Directive. The listed habitat types and species are those
considered to be most in need of conservation at a European level.
Within the Geopark area, there are 8 Special Areas of Conservation and at least
18 Areas of Special Scientific Area, all within the hydraulic fracking licence
area.....
Special Areas of Conservation: West Fermanagh Scarplands, Largalinny,
Lough Melvin, Upper Lough Erne, Monawilkin, Fardrum and Roosky Turloughs,
Moninea Bog, Cuilcagh mountain.
Special Area of Preservation: Upper Lough Erne
Areas of Special Scientific Interest: West Fermanagh Scarplands, Largalinny,
Monawilkin, Boho, Cliffs of Mahgo, Glennasheevar, Braade, Galloon, Trannish,
Crom, Belleisle, Fardrum and Roosky Turloughs, Moninea Bog, Cuilcagh,
Drumlisaleen, Garvros, Tullysranadeega, Lough Melvin.
Initial Project Area
From Lough Melvin (Garrison) to Derrygonnelly (outer
perimeter) is 11miles/17km
Geopark Map
Areas which may be affected: Lough Navar Forest, Correl
Glen Nature Reserve, Conagher, Big Dog, Ballintempo,
Belmore Forest, Knockmore Scarplands
The West Fermanagh Scrarplands (SAC and ASSI)
The Knockmore area supports a range of surface karst topography including some of the
finest limestone pavement in Northern Ireland. Three major cave systems also occur.
The upper slopes of the area are dominated by large expanses of intact blanket bog.
The area includes a number of rivers and upland lakes. Springs and flushes also
represent a notable feature of the area, especially "petrifying" springs, where calciumrich water seeps to the surface along the base of limestone cliffs.
West Fermanagh Scarplands contains one of the most extensive areas of blue moorgrass grassland in Northern Ireland.
West Fermanagh Scarplands is one of two sites representing Molinia meadows in
Northern Ireland.
The woods are particularly rich in species that are scarce in Northern Ireland, including
toothwort, bird's nest orchid, Welsh poppy, wood fescue, thin-spiked wood sedge and the
lichen Lobaria pulmonaria.
Largalinny SAC and ASSI
The structure, plant community
diversity and the rich flora
collectively make Largalinny one
of the most important old upland
oak woodlands in Northern
Ireland.
It supports a number of rare plant
species including.serrated
wintergreen and the oceanic
Tunbridge filmy-fern are found
here.
The geological interest of the site is
centred on the silicified fossil
fauna from the Glencar
Limestone Formations at Carrick
Lough,which are of
international importance.
This area falls within the initial
Cliffs of Magho ASSI
The lower slopes are covered by one
of the largest semi-natural
woodlands in Northern Ireland; it is
very diverse and contains the
highest number of woodland
species recorded at a single site.
Rare species within the wood include
Welsh poppy, thin-spiked wood
sedge and bird's-nest orchid. Wet
heath and blanket bog, large
mesotrophic lake with open waters,
swamp and fen.
There are hundreds of cave entrances
and 30+ km of explored cave
passage. According to it's
geodiversity profile, the cliffs are on
unstable ground.
This area is either included or very
Boho ASSI
This area of mixed woodland supports
toothwort, wood fescue, bird's-nest
orchid and thin-spiked wood sedge.
A population of Daubenton's bat is
present in the caves.
Invertebrates include the troglobitic
Collembolan Schaefferia
emucronata and a large population
of the common cave spider Meta
menardi.
The only modern Irish record of the
cave dwelling water beetle Agabus
biguttatus is from Boho caves.
This area is included or very close to
initial project area.
Glenasheevar ASSI
area of intact oceanic blanket
bog. Relatively rare species
recorded for the blanket bog
include oblong-leaved sundew
and the hummock-forming bog
moss Sphagnum fuscum. I
In addition, because of the
diversity and quality of the
associated habitats present, a
number of notable species of
butterflies and moths have
been recorded.
Included or very close to initial
project area.
Braade ASSI




Braade is a scarp cliff in the middle of
Lough Navar Forest. The area is of
special scientific interest because of its
rare plants. The moss Orthodontium
gracile has recently been recorded
here at its only known Irish site. This
rare plant of sandstone rocks has only
been seen recently at nine sites in
Britain.
In addition, Braade is the only known
site in Northern Ireland for the arcticalpine species, holly-fern.
Red grouse, curlew and golden plover
are found in the plateau, and there is
also a range of other Priority Species
including bullfinch, skylark, song
thrush, reed bunting and spotted flycat
Included or very close to initial project
area.
Caves
In total, Western Fermanagh contains approximately 52 square
kilometres of karst landscape . There are hundreds of cave entrances
and 30+ km of explored cave passage.
The Knockmore area supports a range of surface karst topography
including some of the finest limestone pavement in Northern Ireland.
Three major cave systems also occur within the site, with over 14km of
surveyed passage in total.
Tullybrack Mountain
The major underground karst features are developed on the eastern flank
of Tullybrack Mountain and in the Boho valley. They comprise four major
cave systems: Pollaraftra Cave, Noon's Hole - Arch Cave, the Reyfad
System, and Boho Caves.
Included in initial project area.
What effects will hydraulic fracturing have on a cave system???
Contamination travels quickly within a karst area.
Caves

REYFAD-CARRICKBEG: One of
the most important underground karst
site in Northern Ireland. In a regional
context, it contains the most extensive
system of passages, has the greatest
volume of passage and attains the
greatest depth of passage from sink to
the lowest explored point in the
system.

NOON'S HOLE - ARCH CAVE
This small area (3.5 km2) contains
some of the best underground karst in
Northern Ireland and are of national
signicicence. The cave system has the
deepest series of unbroken vertical
shafts in Ireland, and includes a major
active stream passage.
Caves




KNOCKMORE – POLLARAFTRA
Major cave system. The impressive
cliffs of Knockmore Hill form an
dramatic backdrop to the northern
edge of the Tullybrack uplands. best
example of a fault controlled cave in
Northern Ireland.
BOHO
Boho is the only example of a joint
controlled maze cave in Northern
Ireland. With 1.5km of explored
passage, it is the seventh longest cave
system in NI. The site also contains
karst rivers and waterfall, a limestone
gorge and a river bed with a series of
bank risings.
Monawilkin SAC & ASSI



Monawilkin is floristically
the richest example of
blue moor-grass Sesleria
grassland in Northern
Ireland.
Monawilkin is also
important for butterflies,
including the only known
locality for small blues in
Northern Ireland.
Included or very close to
initial project area.
Lower Lough Erne



The lough has an international
reputation in angling. Pollan, Northern
Ireland’s only native species of
whitefish, is found in Lower Lough
Erne, which is one of only four
locations on the island of Ireland. It is
an important area for breeding birds.
Despite the quality of its water, the
Lough is sensitive to eutrophication
and is monitered by the Erne Nutrient
Management Scheme.
Keenaghan Lough and Lough Scolban
contain a higher proportion of
nationally scarce and rare aquatic
plants. This is an increasingly rare type
of lake in Northern Ireland because the
nutrient status of many is being
increased . It also has the white-clawed
crayfish.
Fardrum and Rooskey Turloughs SAC & ASSI


There are three Turloughs in
this group, west of Lower Lough
Erne, which are the only
turloughs in Northern Ireland,
and represent the most
northerly occurrence of this
habitat in Ireland and the UK.
Green Lough supports the
nationally rare fen violet Viola
persicifolia.
The turloughs are also home to
a number of rare water and
ground beetles. These sites
have contributed nine new
beetle records for Fermanagh.
Upper Lough Erne SAC & SPA




is a SAC & SPA, which are strictly protected areas. This one of the largest areas of
semi-natural woodland remaining in Northern Ireland. The area holds one of the
strongest populations of otters in the UK. In addition the surrounding countryside is
rich in relatively unpolluted rivers and lakes supporting the otter population within the
site.
Upper Lough Erne - Trannish ASSI
Upper Lough Erne - Galloon ASSI The nationally rare Frogbit occurs frequently
along with other plants which also have a restricted distribution nationally. Otters also
frequent the area along with wintering wildfowl and breeding waders.
Upper Lough Erne - Crom ASSI :The area contains many vascular plants with a
restricted distribution in the British lsles. In addition it is also notable for its mammals,
particularly bats, and the wide variety of habitat gives rise to a wide range of bird
species.

Upper Lough Erne - Belleisle ASSI: The area contains many vascular plants with a
restricted distribution in the British Isles. It is also important for otters and breeding
waders.
Moninea Bog SAC & ASSI

Moninea Bog is one
of the best remaining
examples of an active
raised bog.
Sillees Valley ASSI


Sillees Valley includes Ross,
Coolyermer, Carran and Lankill
Loughs. The Sillees and
Screenagh Rivers have whiteclawed crayfish populations. The
Sillees River winds around
between the hills through Carran
and Ross Loughs to Upper Lough
Erne.
Included or very close to initial
project area.
Cuilcagh Mountain SAC & ASSI


contains the second largest
expanse of intact blanket bog in
Northern Ireland.
The summit also supports an area
of Racomitrium heath, a scarce
vegetation type in Northern
Ireland.A number of rare and
notable plants have been recorded
for the area. Cuilcagh mountain is
also the most important upland
breeding site for golden plover in
Northern Ireland. Peregrine falcon
regularly breed along the cliff faces
and merlin are also frequently
seen.
Lough MacNean


This is an increasingly rare type
of lake in Northern Ireland
because the nutrient status of
many is being increased
through input of water from
agricultural land that has had
applications of fertilizers and
slurry.
The white-clawed crayfish has
been recorded from Upper
Lough Macnean. Islands in the
loughs are also important for
breeding
Lough Melvin SAC & ASSI


The unpolluted waters supports
important native fish populations.
Arctic charr occurs here at its only
remaining Northern Ireland site.
The Artic Charr is included in the
Irish Red Data species.
The Lough contains three distinct
populations of brown trout and
supports a unique salmonid fish
community which dates back to the
ice age. The rare Atlantic salmon is
listed in Annex II of the EC Habitats
and Species Directive.
Lough Melvin SAC & ASSI



Lough Melvin is one of two sites
representing Molinia meadows in
Northern Ireland.
Plants with a restricted distribution
in the British isles include lesser
meadow-rue, chaffweed, fragrant
agrimony, upland enchanter'snightshade, northern bedstraw,
slender-leaved pondweed and
water lobelia.
Blue-eyed-grass and globeflower
are of particular note and occur on
Schedule 8 of the Wildlife
(Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
ASSI'S Lough Melvin Area

Drumlisaleen ASSI

Garvros ASSI

Tullysranadeega
ASSI: The nationally
rare melancholy
thistle grows here.
Daubenton Bat


All bats are protected by
the EU Habitats Directive
92/43/EEC) or the
Wildlife Act 1976.
Daubenton's Bat found in
Boho Caves, sometimes
known as the water bat.
Population of
approximately 50.
Agabus Biguttatus

The only modern Irish
record of the cave
dwelling water beetle
Agabus biguttatus is
from Boho caves
Butterfly Red List


The Small Blue, one
of 6 Irish butterflies on
the Ireland Butterfly
Red List.
Monawilkin is the only
known locality for
small blues in
Northern Ireland.
Irish Damselfly

The rare Irish
Damselfly is listed as
Vulnerable on the
Red List of Irish
dragonflies
Red Grouse
Red List – Birds of High
conservation concern
ground nesting bird They are
almost completely dependent
on heather plants for food and
shelter.
Conservation Status
• Red List - Birdwatch Ireland
• Require close monitoring - Red
Data Book
• Protected by Wildlife Acts
(1976 & 2000)
Peregrine Falcon

Conservation Status

Annex I Birds Directive




Annex III Bern
Convention
Annex II Bonn
Convention
Internationally Important
- Red Data Book
• Protected by Wildlife
Acts (1976 & 2000)
Curlew



The Curlew has been redlisted as a globally
threatened species by the
IUCN since 2007.
During the last Breeding Atlas, in
1988-1991, Donegal and Mayo still
held good numbers of breeding
Curlew and the Irish population as
a whole was estimated at around
5,000 pairs. This spring, over 60
sites were revisited and, shockingly
the results indicated that only six
still held breeding pairs.
A total of just four pairs were
recorded in Donegal and four in
Mayo.
Golden Plover

is a rare breeding bird in
Ireland, only nesting in the
northwest counties of Ireland

Conservation Status

Red List - Birdwatch Ireland

Annex I - Birds Directive

Annex III - Bern Convention

Annex IV - Bonn Convention


Vulnerable - Red Data Book
Protected by Wildlife Acts
(1976 & 2000)
All threatened species are protected by the EU Habitats
Directive 92/43/EEC) or the Wildlife Act 1976. Some of our
most threatened species include
The Red Data List of Irish Plants. Serrated Wintergreen, Blue-eyed-grass,
Marsh Helleborine, Bird's Nest Orchid and Tunbridge filmy-fern. The
Globeflower is protected under the Flora Protection Order (1999). All of these
protected plants are found in this area.
Protected Species Fish: Arctic Charr,
Atlantic Salmon and Pollan.Found in Lough
Melvin and Lough Erne
Sonya Oldham
[email protected]
On behalf of
The People's Association Watchdog
Www.paw.ie