Coastal Habitats

Coastal areas are typically rich in biodiversity. Those in Northern Ireland are particularly rich because of the wide range of habitats that occurs within a relatively small area. This is the result of the interaction of weather and water movement, working together to shape the rocks and sediments and produce a range of niches in which plants and animals can live. Coastal processes continue to modify the coast.

Sand dunes

Sand dunes (.PDF 111.6Kb) contain a range of habitats related to their age and their calcium levels. Most dune systems are old and have no new sand supply to continue their growth. The youngest systems occur at the mouth of the Bann estuary and at Magilligan where there are also well developed dune wetland habitats. The ancient Murlough dunes in Dundrum Bay contain extensive dune heaths. All dune systems in Northern Ireland have been impacted by direct habitat loss or by alterations to the active geomorphological processes that shape them.

Saltmarsh

Saltmarsh (.PDF 123Kb) is widely distributed around the coast, but it is not an extensive habitat. The largest areas are generally associated with mudflats in our major estuaries and sea loughs such as at Mill Bay in Carlingford Lough, the Comber Estuary in Strangford Lough, Ballycarry in Larne Lough, and at the Roe Estuary in Lough Foyle. Saltmarshes support a limited but highly specialised range of plant species such as lax-flowered sea lavender and sea purslane. Most of the original saltmarshes in Northern Ireland have generally been reclaimed for agriculture and those still present are generally lightly grazed. Saltmarsh is therefore a rare habitat in Northern Ireland and, in the wider context of Europe, it is a high priority for nature conservation.

Vegetated shingle

Vegetable shingle banks (.PDF 104Kb) occur at the upper end of the shore where conditions are favourable. They occupy long strips but very little area in total and are important for several species that are scarce in Northern Ireland, such as oysterplant and sea cabbage. The best sites are scattered around the coast, with the Mournes Coast and Rathlin Island being particularly notable.

Rocky Cliff

Rocky cliff plant and animal communities (.PDF 86Kb) are influenced by climate exposure and geology. Cliffs can vary from almost sheer drops, like the rugged cliffs of the north coast, especially along the Causeway Coast and on Rathlin Island, to those with gentler slopes, e.g. in Lecale. As with many of the other coastal habitats, there are significant regional variations in plants. For example, Scots lovage is confined to northern coasts, while rock samphire is a southern species.

Cliffs are particularly important for colonies of nesting seabirds, such as guillemot , razorbill, kittiwake and puffin. These species nest on the inaccessible ledges, where they and their young are safe from ground predators.

Some Northern Ireland cliffs have very significant populations of such species, particularly around the coast of Rathlin Island.

Most of the natural cliff-top vegetation has been converted to agricultural grassland, but some areas of maritime heath remain. This habitat is strongly influenced by salt-laden winds blowing onshore from the sea. The vegetation is characterised particularly by spring squill. The most extensive areas occur on Rathlin Island, with small, scattered stands elsewhere around the coast.

Those UK priority habitats that occur in Northern Ireland are considered to be automatically selected as priority habitats in Northern Ireland. There are 37 such habitats which are already the subject of costed action plans at UK level.