Derrykillultagh 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 occupies less than 2% of the LCA; most in small patches alongside streams on the outskirts of Belfast
• Grasslands occupy around 82% of the LCA, three-quarters of which is improved pastures, generally of low biodiversity
• damp, usually unsown grasslands are relatively extensive throughout the LCA; they are of important to the diversity of both flora and fauna (particularly birds)
• no peat bogs or large heaths, but small areas of heathy upland grassland
• no significant wetlands

Woodlands

Woodland occupies less than 2% of the LCA; most of this is in the extreme southeast of the LCA in small patches alongside streams on the outskirts of Belfast. The streams near Lagmore reservoir are an example; here extensive rushy fields develop into scrubby woodland that becomes increasingly mature down the main valley and has a well-developed ground flora. The woodland includes a variety of types including fragmentary alder/ash stands (Upland mixed ashwoods). To the east, a parallel smaller glen is also under semi-natural woodland/scrub with good ground flora. These woodlands and scrub are important constituents of a complex of habitats that includes moderately species-rich wet grassland. However, the region is under threat from expansion of housing. Hulls Glen to the southeast, also has a diversity of habitats including both wet and better- drained unimproved grassland, but also some mature hazel woodland. Small remnant woodlands also occur at Magheralave and Derriaghy Glen. Dorothy's Wood, Kilcorig, owned by the Woodland Trust, has been planted recently with oak, ash, alder and birch. Another recent, mixed broadleaf plantation occurs south of Crooked Bridge near Stonyford Reservoir. There is a small regenerating beechwood at Ballymoneymore, of interest because it adds to the diversity of the streamside habitats that include relatively species-rich wet grassland and scrub.

Wet woodland is of restricted occurrence in the LCA. There are patches of willow-alder carr around Stonyford Reservoir and some willow scrub at a few former fen sites, as for example near Kilgreel House; however they make a limited contribution to the biodiversity of the LCA.

Grassland and Arable

Grasslands occupy around 82% of the LCA, three-quarters of which is improved pastures. 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. 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.

There is little arable land in the LCA, less than 5% of the land cover and even this includes land under grass re-seeding; it is generally of low biodiversity interest although is important for some farmland birds such as the yellowhammer.

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, fields are relatively large in the extreme south, often well-maintained and with trees, predominantly ash; there is some field amalgamation. On damper soils, fields are much smaller, pastures less productive and hedges are often overgrown and gappy. However, the hedges are often heavily treed with ash, willow and beech. They become progressively thinner with altitude, so that there are only occasional whins and hawthorns along post and wire fences.

Throughout the LCA, there are areas of less improved and rough grassland. Many of these are associated with damp areas, as for example the extensive area east and west of Stonyford Reservoir. Many of these fields are rushy, but because management is extensive, often limited to summer grazing, there is a diversity of plants. Although there is localised dumping, the diversity of plants is increased further by the drier field embankments. Birds listed as Priority Species have been recorded in areas dominated by damp lowland grasslands; around Stonyford Reservoir reed bunting, curlew, skylark and song thrush have been recorded and similar assemblages near Garlandstown and north of Stonyford where the linnet has also been recorded.

To the northeast of the LCA, as the foothills of the basalt plateau begin, the grasslands become more complex with areas of acidic mat grass and purple moor grass intermixed with both wet and dry semi-natural grassland. For example, Leathemstown ASSI contains a range of species-rich grassland types within a relatively small area. The majority of the area is dry, species-rich mesotrophic grassland typically dominated by common bent, crested dog's-tail and red fescue with a wide range of associated species including the greater butterfly-orchid. Where soils are flushed, there are localised stands of species rich wet vegetation. Over ten species of butterfly have been recorded from the area including common blue, dark green fritillary, small heath, meadow brown, painted lady and clouded yellow.

Heaths and Bogs

There are no areas of blanket or lowland peat bog and no extensive heath. The eastern boundary of the LCA clips some of the basalt upland and here there are patches of peaty soils with acid upland grassland, dominated by mat grass, and occasional scrub; an example is the area of Gores Bridge in the upper reaches of the Stonyford River. Similarly, in low-lying areas there are peaty soils with damp grassland sometimes associated with scrub. For example, wet grassland at Craneystown also has gorse (whin) and hawthorn scrub with a diverse herb flora including early purple orchid and primrose.

Wetlands and Lakes

There are few areas of fen in the LCA; those that occur are usually associated with damp grasslands. Examples include Barley Hill in the extreme north where wet rushy grassland grades into bottle sedge and marsh cinquefoil fen, and in the south, another upland example, in Ballyclogh Td. where the wet species-rich grassland with occasional willow has developed on former fen.

The three reservoirs in the LCA are generally of low biodiversity interest, although as discussed above (see Grasslands and arable), Stonyford Reservoir, together with its surroundings of wet grassland and patches of fen/carr, is important for birds.

The Genavy River, Clady Water and Stonyford River have river water-crowfoot.

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:

• encourage control of grazing and recreational activity (especially on Belfast outskirts) in broadleaved woodlands along streams to foster regeneration and if necessary, encourage replanting of canopy species
• protect these woodland areas against clearance as suburban housing expands
• wet woodlands, although small and scattered, are important to the biodiversity of the LCA and require protection against clearance/reclamation of land and improved drainage
• 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
• maintain and enhance wet grassland by 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 birds

HEATH AND BOGS

Issue: only a few small patches of heathy upland grassland - no bogs in the LCA

Action:

• discourage 'reclamation' to pasture of the few examples of heathy upland grassland around the upland margins

WETLANDS AND LAKES

Issue: maintain water quality 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
• monitor streams in relation to expansion of rural/urban housing and associated septic tanks/sewage treatment plants.

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