In the following account of this LCA it should be noted that for consistency, the biodiversity section follows the standard order for all LCAs even though some of the communities discussed later may have more importance for biodiversity than those discussed earlier
Key CharacteristicsWoodlands cover around 4% of the LCA; three-quarters of this is in two parts of Rostrevor Forest. Ballymoney Wood in the south is predominantly a mix of Scots pine and Douglas fir although there are smaller areas of larch and lodgepole pine. At the southern end, adjoining Carrrickbawn Wood (see LCA 69), beech dominates. On the western side of Crotlieve Mountain, Sitka spruce is dominant throughout whereas on the eastern side Lodgepole pine and Scots pine are the most frequent species. Outside of the state forest, coniferous plantations are scattered through the LCA on hill- and valley sides. These plantations are generally small, less than 0.5ha, and most frequently of larch.
Broadleaved woodland occurs mainly in the steep-sided valleys of the Kilbroney/Rostrevor, Ghan and Moygannon Rivers and some of their tributaries. Although many of these riverine woodlands appear natural, the mix of species suggests that they have been planted or modified; indeed some are associated with nearby parklands and large houses. For example, above Kilbroney House the riverside woodland has a diversity of tree species including ash, oak, sycamore, birch and alder, but also a dominance of beech, some Scots pine and Turkey oak that reveal a planted origin or 'landscaping'.
Along a tributary of the Moygannon above Ballyvally bridge is an oak woodland (Upland oakwood), although ash and beech are scattered throughout and increase in frequency in the downstream section. The beech suggests that the woodland has been modified or was planted, but it has been largely undisturbed and has an abundance of mosses, liverworts, lichens and fungi. A similar oak wood is found further south along another tributary. There are also examples of Upland mixed ashwoods. Some of these are natural mature hazel-ash woodlands or ash-alder-sycamore on meander scars whereas others are developing from scrub.
There are two relatively large parklands remaining in the LCA (Lowland woodland pasture and parkland). Knockbarragh Park is around13ha; the trees are concentrated in roadside fringes which variously comprise Scots pine, Austrian pine, a wide beech/oak 'plantation' on the eastern side merging into conifers around the house, and mixed oak, beech and pines. The park at Tamnaharry House is dominated by beech around its margins with birch, weeping ash and lime scattered through the lawns; elm, sycamore and ash line the river. Elsewhere parklands are small and tend to be located in the valley bottoms of the three main rivers. As described, the influence of the large houses has extended into the surrounding country, particularly the valleys. Beech is the most frequent species, but lime, horse chestnut, sycamore and ash are common together with more occasional conifers. Parts of the parklands were present in the 1830s and may represent long-established woodlands; however, some parklands have been reduced in size or lost.
Grassland and ArableGrasslands occupy around 81% of the LCA; of this about one third is in some form of rough grassland and almost all of that is upland grassland - a relatively high proportion for Northern Ireland. Much of the upland rough grassland is developed over quite shallow, humic soils with abundant boulders and rock outcrops. Whereas some of the grassland may be semi-natural, following clearance of woodlands many centuries ago, much is the product of management in the more recent past and present. For example overgrazing and grazing at the wrong time of year has reduced former heather heath to a community of coarse grasses and sedges that is of generally low biodiversity. Sharp distinctions between heath and coarse grassland can be seen along some land ownership boundaries.
Improved pastures, two-thirds of the grassland cover of the LCA, have generally low biodiversity as a result of relatively intensive management. Some of the pastures are sown grasslands dominated by ryegrass and few other species - low biodiversity is in-built. Other grasslands have been converted to improved pastures through management. High levels of grazing or repeated cutting for silage, high inputs of fertilizers and slurry, and selective herbicides serve to reduce diversity of both flora and fauna.
Land classed as arable is scattered through the LCA, but occupies less than 3% of the area - a figure that includes fields in grass re-seeding - and it is also of low biodiversity.
Biodiversity in areas of improved pastures and arable is often concentrated in hedgerows. Indeed, they may be the most significant wildlife habitat over much of lowland Northern Ireland, especially where, as in this LCA, there are few wetland habitats. Hedgerows are a refuge for many woodland and farmland plants and animals. However, in this LCA stone walls are the dominant field boundaries in the middle and upper sections of the main river valleys and in the upper margins of the agricultural land. Hedges are more frequent in the lower sections of the main river valleys and in the north of the LCA. Hawthorn is the most common species, but in the mid-section of the main valleys rowan and hazel are important constituents both as shrubs and as trees. Hedges in the south have more woody species than those elsewhere in the LCA, but throughout there is a lack of management so that hedges are gappy. There is also evidence of field amalgamation.
Heaths and BogsThere are no examples of lowland raised bog in this LCA and only a few remnants of thin, cut-over blanket bog; these are located on a fairly flat area south of Carmeen and on the summit of Slieve Roosley. These areas have little biodiversity value.
In contrast, upland heathland is more widespread, but it is of varied type and quality. On the upper surfaces of the hills this heather dominated community tends to be wetter and denser whereas on the slopes the community is more open, partly in response to the steeper slopes and partly to heavier grazing. The different land ownerships and histories of grazing have led to some patchiness in the distribution of heath (see above). In its optimum condition, upland heath is of international importance because it is largely confined within Europe to the British Isles and the western seaboard of mainland Europe; it is relatively rare in Northern Ireland. It can be home to a diverse invertebrate fauna and to birds of prey as well as rare mosses and liverworts; however, in this LCA the only Priority Species recorded to date are a dragonfly, the keeled skimmer (from Slieve Roosley), and the curlew from Wee Roosley.
Wetlands and LakesThere are no wetlands or lakes of significance to biodiversity in the LCA. Apart from the otter, there are no Priority Species recorded from the rivers even though water quality is generally good. Most of the rivers flow through land dominated by agriculture; many fields have additions of fertilizers and slurry and may be sprayed with herbicides and pesticides. Farms may also have silage pits. There are also some small industrial plants alongside the rivers.
Key IssuesGeneral actions for UK and NI Priority Habitats and Priority Species are detailed in the Habitat Action Plans and Species Action Plans.
WOODLANDSIssue: low woodland cover outside of State Forests and of varied biodiversity value
Actions:
Issue: low biodiversity of farmland
Actions:
Issue: loss of upland heathland and decline in its biodiversity
Actions:
Issue: maintain good water quality in streams and rivers
Actions: