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 occupy only c.1% of the land cover and is mainly in present or former demesnes (lowland woodland pasture and parkland) such as Waringstown House and Brownlow House, or in small, planted areas that are part of the planned layout of Craigavon. The old estates are characterised by a dominance of beech, but ash, sycamore, horse chestnut, Scots pine, and larch are frequent; there are also specimen conifers, such as redwoods, and exotic broadleaves such as holm oak. In parts, the woodlands have a dense understorey of cherry laurel although at Brownlow much of the estate is now in a public park and a golf course so that the associated grasslands are mown and there has been modern planting of belts of trees.
Grassland and ArableGrassland is c. 61% of the land cover, a low percentage in comparison with Northern Ireland as a whole (c.71%), but over 20% of the LCA is built-up (less than 4% for Northern Ireland as a whole). About four-fifths of the grassland is improved pasture that generally has 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. Arable land covers around the average for Northern Ireland (c.6%), but this includes grass re-seeding; it is occasional throughout the southern and eastern part of the LCA, with some of the larger areas around Waringstown.
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 there are few semi-natural habitats. Hedgerows are a refuge for many woodland and farmland plants and animals. In this LCA hawthorn hedgerows are the dominant field boundary and are often treed - commonly with ash, although along the roadsides, especially near to estates, beech, oak and conifers are also found.
Semi-natural and less improved grassland is located mainly between Lurgan and Portadown and occurs as undeveloped land and planned open space in Craigavon, often associated with planted trees and shrubs. Elsewhere, damp grasslands can be found on flat ground alongside small streams; most of these areas have been drained, but some fields are dominated by rushes.
Fewer of the Priority Species of farmland birds have been recorded than in many LCAs, but this may reflect the relatively small size of the LCA and the proportion that is built-over; recorded Priority Species include skylark, song thrush, linnet and reed bunting.
Heaths and BogsThere are no significant areas of heath or bog in the LCA.
Wetlands and LakesThe only lake of a significant size is that at Brownlow House (now Lurgan Park), but it is of little importance to biodiversity. There are no significant fens and no 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, limited mainly to demesnes but some modern planting in Craigavon
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Issue: poor biodiversity of farmland
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