Woodland accounts for about 1.5% of the land cover, most in parklands, although this may be an underestimate because there are extensive areas of willow and alder encroachment onto former peat bogs. Parkland woodlands (Lowland woodland pasture and parkland) include the northern part of Tandragee Castle estate and Carrickblacker House - both of which have new planting associated with golf courses - and Stramore House. Common species in these estates are oak, beech, horse chestnut and sycamore with Scots pine, Austrian pine and cypress; specimen trees, often conifers, occur in the parks and near to the houses. An understorey is usually confined to the plantings around the edges of the parklands and is often comprised of holly and cherry laurel; elsewhere the parklands are grazed, or in the case of golf courses are mown. There is evidence of replanting in some of the estates, and although some is of conifer plantations, there is planting of canopy species. Further research is also required into the history and ecology of these long-established plantings.
Wet woodlands cover much of the former peat bogs, as for example at Terryhoogan Moss and at Brackagh Bog NNR where there is dense alder and willow carr woodlands. Other small patches of woodlands are found along streams in the higher land, as at Cusher Bridge; these are often a mix of ash and sycamore and of shrub species.
Grassland and ArableGrassland covers 70% of the LCA, most in improved pastures. However, the quality of these pastures varies depending on the effectiveness of drainage ditches and level of management - there is some evidence of abandonment of fields and encroachment by hawthorn and gorse. Some pastures in the lowest parts of the floodplain have a relatively high cover of rushes. Indeed, where drainage ditches are less effective fields may be classed as rough grazing.
Field boundaries in the floodplain are sometimes of ditches, but generally hedgerows are managed well. There is some evidence of hedge removal and field amalgamation.
Arable land comprises around 12% of the land cover; it has a patchy distribution, generally found on the slightly higher ground above the floodplain and features hedgerows in need of positive management.
Heaths and BogsThe once extensive lowland bogs found in the meanders of the River Bann have largely been lost through past cutting, drainage and straightening of the river. Several are now in fen, wet woodland or damp grassland, but at Brackagh Bog NNR there are areas of acid bog remaining with typical bog species. These include cross-leaved heath, sundews, bog asphodel and a number of Sphagna (bog mosses). The bog habitat and species are a part of a nature reserve of high diversity that has to be managed as a whole (see below).
Wetlands and LakesFens are a significant landscape feature in this LCA and account for much of its biodiversity. As has been seen, they originated mainly from cut-over lowland bogs and large parts are now in alder and willow carr. Brackagh Bog NNR has the most notable fen communities including tall fen vegetation dominated by diorin, sheep's fescue and bottle sedge, and reed swamp dominated by reedmace. However, there is great diversity of habitats (including bog, fen, carr and wet grasslands), flora and fauna so that the site should be seen as a whole. The site is particularly important for Irish lady's tresses, and royal fern also occurs. There is a rich invertebrate fauna; 16 butterfly species, including marsh fritillary and green hairstreak, and 14 species of dragonflies and damselflies, including Irish damselfly have been recorded. 16 breeding bird species have been recorded on the reserve.
Both the Cusher River and Upper Bann, contain river water crowfoot but there are no significant areas of standing water in the LCA. Water quality of the Bann is partly dependent on up-stream activities.
Key IssuesGeneral actions for UK and NI Priority Habitats and Priority Species are detailed in the Habitat Action Plans and Species Action Plans.
WOODLANDSIssue: this LCA features examples of the NI Priority Habitats lowland woodland pasture and parkland and wet woodlands
Actions:
Issue: poor biodiversity of improved pastures and arable land as a result of relatively intensive management;
Actions:
Issue: loss of lowland bogs; however, several intact areas of acid bog remain at Brackagh Bog NNR.
Actions:
Issue: NI Priority Habitat fens contribute significantly to the biodiversity of this LCA; Brackagh Bog NNR , the Cusher River and the Upper Bann support a range of NI Priority Species.
Actions: