Ballymena Farmland 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 account for less than 2% of land cover, a low percentage even for Northern Ireland (c.5.6%)
• most woodland in small remnants of former more extensive parklands or is alongside rivers or on other steep slopes
• some estate woodlands remain west of Broughshane
• grasslands are c.74% of the land cover and arable land around 6%; both are similar to the averages for Northern Ireland.
• improved pastures of generally low biodiversity account for more than four-fifths of the grassland.
• extensive damp grasslands, especially on flat land near Ballymena, important for breeding waders
• rivers of importance for Priority Species and salmonid fish

Woodlands

Woodlands account for less than 2% of the land cover, a low percentage even for Northern Ireland (c.5.6%). Most woodland is in small patches as remnants of former more extensive parklands or is alongside rivers or on other steep slopes. For example, much of the parkland (Lowland woodland pastures and parkland) to the east of Broughshane has been lost to recent housing or clearance leaving only the former fringing trees or small patches - most frequently of beech and oak. Few of these remnant woods have an understorey or herb layer, but where grazing intensity is low and there is less human activity, there may be an understorey of hazel with bluebell, lesser celandine and wood anemone in the herb layer. To the west of Broughshane several small parklands stretch from Knockboy to Rabbit Hill. Beech, sycamore and ash are most frequent; poplars have been planted near the river at Rabbit Hill.

Other parklands in the LCA include Corbilly House (Roslin Hill) where the beech were said to be old in the 1830s (OS Memoirs) and other species include Scots pine, horse chestnut and larch. Near Craigywarren House planted species are similar to those in estates nearby, but the woodland at least in parts appears unmanaged and with many saplings; it requires further study.

Woodland on slopes is predominantly in hazel and where grazing is less intensive the herb layer may be well developed - bluebell, lesser celandine and wood anemone are again common. Blackthorn and hawthorn may dominate the edges of these areas whereas in other areas of scrub they form the dominants. Examples of these low woodlands and scrub may be found in the south at Stable Hill and Tavnaghmore - where there is some oak - and to the west of Broughshane at Knockan Hill. Here the ash and sycamore wood passes eastward into a conifer dominated area; these woods are currently under threat from urban expansion.

Woodland also occurs along the Kells Water; upstream of Kells the woods have been landscaped with beech and Scots pine occurring among alder and ash whereas downstream on flatter ground there is a little wet woodland and recent planting that includes willows.

Grassland and Arable

Grasslands are c.74% of the land cover and arable land around 6%; both are similar to the averages for Northern Ireland. Improved pastures account for more than four-fifths 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. 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.

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 predominantly hawthorn hedgerows are generally well-managed, dense and with some trees - in parts beech trees are common.

Despite the dominance of improved pastures, the intricate mix of damp grassland, arable fields and hedges provides habitats for a range of farmland birds - song thrush, bullfinch, skylark and spotted flycatcher.

Rough grassland is generally found in damp areas of the LCA. These include the slopes east of Deerfin, where with increasing altitude soils are more organic, and the many small inter-drumlin hollows. However, the most extensive area is on flat land near the motorway east of Ballymena. These damp grasslands are important for breeding waders - lapwing, redshank, snipe and curlew have been recorded. Particularly high numbers of breeding lapwing have been recorded for the area east of the motorway. The Irish hare also finds refuge in these less managed grasslands.

Heaths and Bogs

There are no significant heaths in the LCA and only a few small pockets of cut-over bog.

Wetlands and Lakes

No lakes have been classified as of priority for biodiversity. The Kells Water and Braid River have river water-crowfoot and both are important for angling interests with salmon, trout and dollaghan. The otter has been recorded in both rivers.

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)
• further study of the history and ecology of demesne and other broadleaved woodlands particularly any ancient and long-established, as a key to future management
• encourage control of grazing in broadleaved woodlands to foster regeneration and if necessary, encourage replanting of canopy species
• encourage planting of native broadleaved woodlands, through appropriate grant schemes, rather than the small conifer plantations which are of poor biodiversity and landscape value.

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 (through participation in Environmental Schemes) adoption of less intensive management of pastures to allow reversion to more species-rich grassland and protect unsown areas of damp grassland
• maintain and enhance floodplain 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 farmland birds.

WETLANDS

Issue: important rivers for Priority Species and salmonid fish

Actions:

• protect water quality of rivers through nutrient management, thus
• 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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