Kilwarlin Plateau 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

• LCA dominated by improved pasture with scattered rough and acid grassland
• Fens have been lost to pasture due to drainage
• Room for future improvement to biodiversity by new planting of woodland

Woodlands

There is very little woodland in this LCA. There are some small areas of demesne woodland (Lowland woodland pasture and parkland), comprising both broadleaved and coniferous woodland, found for example at Eglantine House and Islanderry House. Outside of the estates broadleaved woodland is scarce with a few patches around farmsteads. Demesne woodlands may have a herb layer - some species of which may be indicative of ancient or long-established woodland.

Grassland and Arable

Over 75% of land cover in this LCA is grassland, dominated by improved pasture. Some areas of rough grassland can be found on higher ground especially in the SE of the LCA. Acid grassland is found scattered throughout the area generally on lower ground alongside arable areas. Wet grassland is an important habitat for breeding waders such as snipe which has been recorded at Edentiroray. Arable land is quite extensive in this LCA comprising nearly 18% of land cover. Arable farming areas are mostly found on the lower slopes towards the River Lagan where soils are deeper. Farmland is an important habitat for wildlife, especially farmland birds. Leaving stubble over the winter and growing spring-sown cereals increases food supplies for the chough and creates favourable environments for other farmland birds including the linnet.

Wetlands and Lakes

There is one lake in this area, that is Islanderry Lake which is moderately phosphorus enriched therefore is of little biodiversity interest. Most of the original fens in this LCA have been lost due to drainage. The fens at Islandderry Lake, Lurgantamry and Drumskee have been reclaimed to pasture and are generally rushy. Some wetlands have small areas of wet woodland such as Islanderry that has a narrow margin of swamp/carr around the lake.

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: very little woodland cover, but examples of the NI Priority Habitat Lowland woodland pasture and parkland

Actions:

• improve biodiversity of demesne woodland through measures to improve and extend the woodland cover (The Woodland Grant Scheme or The Farm Woodland Premium Scheme)
• management plans for demesne woodland should be directed toward their survival, through natural regrowth or planting of native broadleaf species; halt any further felling or pollarding; retain veteran trees and dead wood and limit grazing
• further study of the herb layer at Eglantine House and Islanderry House, particularly any ancient and long-established, as a key to future management
• encourage farmers and landowners to plant field corners or set-aside fields for planting of native trees

GRASSLAND AND ARABLE

Issue: improved pasture and extensive areas of arable land of low biodiversity value dominate this LCA. Patches of rough, acid and wet grassland are scattered throughout.

Actions:

• maintain and improve field boundaries around the margins of arable fields, especially hedgerows where they occur through adoption of correct cutting cycles; hedge laying and replanting where necessary; leave saplings uncut to develop into hedgerow trees; avoidance of spraying with fertilisers, slurry, herbicides; provision of wildlife strips and conservation headlands around fields; and limitation of field amalgamation
• encourage (through participation in Environmental Schemes) adoption/continuance of less intensive management of pastures to allow reversion to/continuance of more species-rich grassland and protect unsown areas of rough grassland
• maintain and enhance wet grasslands such as those at Edentiroray as valuable habitats for breeding waders, 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 farmland birds

WETLANDS AND LAKES

Issue: all fens have been lost to drainage and reclamation. However, wetlands such as Islanderry lake retain limited examples of the NI Priority Habitat wet woodland

Actions:

• ensure conservation of wet woodlands by allowing succession to take place and installing fencing to prevent trampling; ensure that they are not lost through drainage, reclamation, landfill or dumping/tipping
• limit further eutrophication of Islanderry Lake through nutrient management and by reducing suspended sediments
• promote and encourage existing good farming practices so that water quality is not further diminished through releases of silage effluent, herbicides, pesticides, fertilisers or sheep dip

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