Raised Bog

They are found in lowland areas, usually below 150m, in river valleys, lake-basins and between drumlins.
The bog surface is raised in the middle like a dome which is why it is called raised. The slow accumulation of peat takes place between the waterproof base of the lake and the living bog surface.

The thickness of the bog mosses, called sphagnum mosses, slowly increases and as a result the surface of the bog starts to rise up above the surrounding land which can be up to 10m or more in height.
This is what creates the dome shape. The sphagnum dominated peat has sponge-like abilities which, when teamed with the dampness of our climate, prevents the water in the raised mass from draining away.
The surface of the bog has many pools, mossy hummocks and flatter areas known as lawns.
At the end of the last ice age, approximately 10,000 years ago, the raised bogs (.PDF 74.27Kb) began to develop when the peat began to build up in the fens and became isolated from the groundwater.

As a result their only source of water and nutrients is from rainwater and the atmosphere.

Wildlife

The wildlife found here are adapted to the acidic conditions and low nutrient levels. Plant species include heather, common cotton grasse, bog asphodel, deergrass and sphagnum mosses.
Fauna also found here include the pygmy Shrew, meadow pipit, skylark, snipe and Irish damselfly.
  

Distribution

Mainly distributed on the lowlands surrounding Lough Neagh, along the Bann Valley and in Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone.

Decline

Only 8% remains of uncut or drained raised bog in Northern Ireland. Felling of native woodlands in the 17^th and 20^th centuries meant that peat was the main local fuel source and as a result, a large proportion of raised bog in the early 20^th century was lost through hand cutting. Mechanised cutting started in the late 20^th century and caused widespread loss of peatland.
Agricultural drainage has also contributed to the loss of peatland habitat.

Places to Visit

Northern Ireland Nature Reserves with public access: Annagarriff and Mullenakill at Peatlands Park. Permission from the Ulster Wildlife Trust would be required to visit Ballynahone Bog or the NIEA Site Manager at Garry Bog.