Broad Lagan Valley 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

• woodland cover is low and very scattered around farmsteads, parkland and rivers
• grasslands account for 61% of land cover, most of which is improved pasture, with some areas of rough and damp grassland
• arable land is very significant at 21% of land cover and occurs on well drained brown earths
• no significant areas of wetland

Woodlands

There is little woodland in this LCA. There is a small plantation of mixed woodland (Lowland woodland pasture and parkland) at the former Lissue Childrens Hospital which also has a diverse ground flora. The golf course in the south-east of the LCA also has some scattered trees. There are some small areas of wet woodland along Lissue stream and the River Lagan. Many large trees can be found in hedgerows especially to the south of Lissue. Other treed areas exist as planting around farmsteads with occasional stands of poplars and scattered areas of scrub.

Grassland and Arable

Grassland covers 61% of land cover in this LCA, two thirds of which is improved. These areas have little biodiversity as a result of intensive 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 (includes grass reseeding) is very extensive and scattered throughout the LCA and occurs on well drained brown earths. Arable land accounts for about 21% of the land cover, which is a very high percentage for Northern Ireland, over three times the average. Arable land is often of low biodiversity interest, but can be significant for farmland birds; song thrush, tree sparrow, spotted flycatcher and linnet have been recorded in areas of arable land in this LCA.

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 semi-natural habitats. Hedgerows are a refuge for many woodland and farmland plants and animals. In this LCA, hedgerows are generally dense and treed.

Scattered amongst the improved pasture are some areas of rough grassland predominantly to the north of Aghnatrisk. There are also areas of damp grassland which occur along the River Lagan. Some of these areas are quite species rich such as those at Carnlougherin Road and Hillsborough Old Road. These damp grasslands are important for waders, including curlew, golden plover and reed bunting.

Wetlands

Aside from the areas of damp grassland there are no other significant wetlands in this LCA. The River Lagan flows through this area and has some good stretches where the plant community in the channel is good (river water-crowfoot) but in general this section of the river has been resectioned and over-deepened in the past. Industrial estates and housing continue to be a threat to the water quality of this river.

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 through control of grazing and felling; by encouraging planting of saplings of the standard trees; by preventing further loss of parkland; by retention of fallen and veteran trees (particularly for bryophytes, ferns, fungi and fauna)
• encourage control of grazing in broadleaved woodlands along streams to foster regeneration and if necessary, encourage replanting of canopy species
• encourage new woodland planting through appropriate grant schemes

GRASSLAND AND ARABLE

Issue: poor biodiversity of farmland

Actions:

• maintain and improve field boundaries especially hedgerows. 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 adoption of less intensive management of pastures to allow reversion to more species-rich grassland and protect unsown areas of species-rich grassland
• leave stubble over winter, rather than autumn ploughing, to increase food resources for farmland birds; spring sown cereals are beneficial for breeding farmland birds

WETLANDS

Issue: potential eutrophication of rivers

Actions:

• promote and encourage existing good farming practices so that streams are not polluted by run-off from agricultural land or seepage from silage pits
• continued monitoring of streams below industrial plants
• monitor streams in relation to expansion of rural/urban housing and associated septic tanks/sewage treatment plants

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