Magilligan Lowlands Biodiversity Profile

 

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 Characteristics

• woodlands occupy about 2% of the land cover, almost all is broadleaved or mixed and the Bellarena estate accounts for most
• improved pastures, of generally low biodiversity, account for three-quarters of the grassland
• remainder in the dune systemno heaths, bogs, wetlands or lakes
• Magilligan sand dune system is of UK importance as one of the largest examples of calcareous dunes with dune slacks of several stages of development and vegetation
• Lough Foyle of international importance for wetland birds and for Atlantic salmon

Woodlands

Woodlands occupy about 2% of the land cover, almost all is broadleaved or mixed and the Bellarena estate (lowland woodland pasture and parkland) accounts for most. The character trees are beech, oak, sycamore and elm, but there is a wide range of other planted species present, both conifers and broadleaves. Where present, the understorey is dominated by planted shrubs including rhododendron, snowberry and cherry and Portugal laurels. The herb layer is varied, but not species-rich, and includes bluebell and ransoms. In the Racecourse Plantation the herb layer is grass dominated.

A small hillside ashwood (upland mixed ashwoods) is located near Tircreven Bridge. Developed on base-rich soils, there is a species-rich herb layer beneath the ash - willow canopy; hazel and alder are also present. The wood is adjacent to other small patches in LCA 36; several were present in the 1830s and are at least 'long-established' and could be ancient woodlands.

There are small coniferous plantations within the LCA, but these are of little interest to biodiversity.

Grassland and Arable

Grassland is around 71% of the land cover, the same as the average for Northern Ireland, and arable c.3% (about half the average) although this satellite-based estimate may be low. Improved pastures account for three-quarters of the grassland. These 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. High levels of grazing or repeated cutting for silage, high inputs of fertilizers and slurry, and selective herbicides also serve to reduce diversity of both flora and fauna. Although the alternate parallel bands of organic and sandy soils that are a feature of the lowland, together with peat on the innermost part beneath Binevenagh, give variation in the improved pastures - there are some fields of damp pastures - this has not increased the recorded biodiversity.

There are few hedges to improve the biodiversity of the farmland as most field boundaries are drains or post and wire. Nevertheless, there are some Priority Species of birds - bullfinch, skylark, song-thrush, linnet and spotted flycatcher.

Heaths and Bogs

There are no heaths or bogs in the LCA.

Wetlands and Lakes

There are no wetlands in the LCA and although there are numerous drainage ditches there are no records of Priority Species apart from the otter.

Coastal

The Magilligan spit and coastal sand dunes system is not only the major landscape feature of this LCA, but is also of most biodiversity interest. The system has been designated as Magilligan SAC, and several other designations are included - Magilligan ASSI, Magilligan Point NNR and Ballymaclary NNR.

Magilligan is one of the largest calcareous dune systems in the UK, with a well-developed and largely undisturbed system of ridges and slacks. Fixed dune vegetation with red fescue and lady's bedstraw dominates most of the site. Much of the grassland is tall, with downy oat-grass prominent, but more open areas have wild thyme and are notable for an abundance of the moss Rhytidium rugosum. Dune slacks are extensive and well-developed, indeed they contain virtually all of the dune slack vegetation in Northern Ireland. Most of the slack vegetation is dominated by creeping willow although more open humid slacks and older hollows filled with mire vegetation also occur. The rare marsh helleborine is abundant in some slacks. The hydrology of the site is little modified and the structure and function of the site are therefore well-conserved.

Although the sand shores are barren, there are mudflats, particularly at the Roe Estuary NNR, that conceal vast numbers of small seashore animals such as lugworms, shrimps, ragworms and periwinkles. There are also large mussel beds and extensive areas covered in eel-grass (seagrass beds). Inside the railway bridge is an area of coastal saltmarsh - a habitat not common in Northern Ireland.

Lough Foyle is internationally important for birds. The Lough Foyle SPA (also the Lough Foyle Ramsar site) supports internationally important numbers of the whooper swan, light-bellied Brent goose and bar-tailed godwit. It also supports large numbers of nationally important species, that is, in an all-Ireland context. These include Priority Species - golden plover and curlew - among many others.

The lough also has importance in Ireland for a number of Irish Red Data Book fish species and is internationally important for Atlantic salmon.

Key Issues

General actions for UK and NI Priority Habitats and Priority Species are detailed in the Habitat Action Plans and Species Action Plans.

WOODLANDS

Issue: low woodland cover of variable biodiversity value

Actions:

• enhance the biodiversity value of demesne/parkland woodland by discouraging grazing and felling; by encouraging planting of saplings of the standard trees; by preventing loss of parkland; by retention of fallen and veteran trees (particularly for bryophytes, ferns, fungi and fauna)
• further study of the history of demesne and other broadleaved woodlands particularly any ancient and long-established, as a key to future management
• encourage broadleaved plantations rather than the small conifer plantations and shelterbelts that are of poor biodiversity and landscape value.

GRASSLAND AND ARABLE

Issue: poor biodiversity of farmland

Actions:

• maintain and improve field boundaries especially hedgerows - in those limited areas where they are traditional in the landscape. This may be achieved through adoption of correct cutting cycles; hedge laying and replanting where necessary; leaving saplings uncut to develop into hedgerow trees; avoidance of spraying with fertilizers, slurry, herbicides; provision of wildlife strips and conservation headlands around fields; and limitation of field amalgamation
• encourage (through participation in Environmental Schemes) adoption of less intensive management of pastures to allow reversion to more species-rich grassland
• maintain and enhance damp grassland by, where possible, restricting field or arterial drainage
• leave stubble over winter, rather than autumn ploughing, to increase food resources for farmland birds; spring sown cereals are beneficial to breeding farmland birds.

COASTAL

Issue: nationally important sand dune system that requires conservation in its entirety

Actions:

• ensure that recreational activities, including caravan parks, golf etc., do not lead to damage and loss of dunes and dune species
• assess any increase in vehicles and human pressures resulting from opening of ferry service

Issue: Lough Foyle of international importance for wetland birds; international importance for Atlantic salmon

Actions:

• ensure that recreational (including shooting) and other activities do not damage bird populations
• continued monitoring and control of activities both in the lough and in the river catchments that might affect salmon population.

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