Larne Coast 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 covers around 4% of the LCA, slightly less than the average for Northern Ireland (c.5%).
• apart from small private plantations of Sitka spruce and larch, there are no coniferous woods in the LCA
• the largest woodlands are associated with the former demesne of Carnfunnock; elsewhere broadleaved woodland restricted to boulder-strewn slopes and small valleys and largely of hazel scrub
• improved pastures of low biodiversity account for more than four-fifths of the grassland although the extent of 'improvement' varies, becoming less inland towards the basalt cliffs.
• this and neighbouring coastal LCAs are the only areas of Northern Ireland with species-rich chalk grassland

Woodlands

Woodland covers around 4% of the LCA, slightly less than the average for Northern Ireland (c.5%). Apart from small private plantations of Sitka spruce and larch, there are no coniferous woods in the LCA. The largest woodlands are associated with the former demesne of Carnfunnock (lowland woodland pasture and parkland); elsewhere woodlands and scrub are largely of hazel.

The wooded areas at Carnfunnock may be divided into several parts. The former park around Carnfunnock House has avenues and edge-planting of mature trees - principally beech, elm, ash, Corsican/Austrian pine and sycamore - but also with a wide range of other trees including oaks (pedunculate/sessile and Turkey), larch and lime. Although now managed for recreational activities, there has been recent planting that includes many of these species. To the west, woodland is more substantial with beech, oak and elm and there is an understorey and more diverse herb and ground layers. This woodland extends northwards into the townland of Ballygalley where it becomes open wood with ash standards dominant (upland mixed ashwoods). There is also some hawthorn, sycamore and elder. The open areas have much scrubby gorse and bramble and the woodland ground layer is composed mainly of grasses and some primrose.

To the north of Carnfunnock House is Cairndhu (the old Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Hospital). This part of the demesne has a great diversity of trees; additional tree species include Monterey cypress and Wellingtonia. However, fringing woodlands are more neglected and becoming invaded by ash and sycamore. The northern part of the former demesne is now a golf course in which there are several small plantations of sycamore, willow and birch.

Outside of this parkland, woodland is mainly in the northern part of the LCA on the slumping slopes of the basalt, chalk and Lias clays and where hazel scrub is dominant. Examples include Tummills Hill, about 4 ha of hazel scrub and dense gorse. Like many of these sites, it is grazed throughout by sheep, often leaving the ground bare. Where not bare herbs, which vary depending on the soils, include primrose, bluebell, opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage, wood sorrel, heath bedstraw, wild strawberry and common dog-violet. Bailey's Glen is a small rocky ravine similarly with hazel and some standard ash and birch. Bramble and ferns are present, but there is little ground flora. Woodland at Sugar Loaf Hill straddles the LCA border (see LCA 124); it too is mainly hazel scrub and is heavily trampled and grazed.

Grassland and Arable

Grassland accounts for almost 60% of the land cover of the LCA, a much smaller percentage than the average for Northern Ireland (71%); a difference largely explained by the presence of Larne in this small coastal LCA. (Built-up land accounts for about 20% of the land cover.) Improved pastures account for more than four-fifths of the grassland although the extent of 'improvement' varies, becoming less inland towards the basalt cliffs. Generally the most improved pastures are of low biodiversity; they are often sown pastures and/or are managed for silage or constant grazing and receive applications of slurry or artificial fertilizers and herbicides.

Hedgerows, which are often the main contributor to biodiversity in areas of improved pasture, are not well developed in this LCA; many field boundaries are stone walls and, where hedgerows are more common, they are often only residual with post and wire fencing forming the main boundary. Hawthorn is the most common hedgerow shrub with gorse (whin), blackthorn, willows and ash also present. Hedgerow trees are rare and mainly of ash. Many of the most improved fields were amalgamated prior to improvement leading to loss of hedges.

Rough grazing within the LCA is of two types. On the western borders some upland grassland is included whereas beneath the basalt on slumped slopes of chalk, boulder-strewn slopes have hazel scrub intermixed with chalk grassland. Where the chalk soils are thin and not too heavily grazed, this grassland can be very species-rich. This LCA and adjacent coastal LCAs are the only areas in Northern Ireland that have calcareous grassland similar to the chalk of southern England. The 'Little Deer Park' in the extreme north of the LCA consists of a series of disused chalk quarries and undulating chalk banks. The skeletal soils with a high content of chalk fragments provide an ideal location for species-rich grassland that includes the purging flax and many spring-flowering plants. Where the lias clays are exposed, there are small patches of wet grassland and flushes, often dominated by yellow flag iris.

There is very little arable land (includes grass re-seeding) in the LCA.

Despite the lack of hedges and the dominance of improved pastures, the farmland has records of several bird Priority Species, including, bullfinch, linnet, skylark, song thrush, spotted fly-catcher and reed bunting.

Heaths and Bogs

Apart from small patches of gorse on boulder slopes, there are no significant heaths in the LCA. There are no peat bogs.

Wetlands and Lakes

There are no significant wetlands, lakes or rivers in the LCA. (Although the southern border of the LCA is coincident with the shore of Larne Lough, the wetlands are discussed in LCAs 127 and 128 that surround the lough).

Coastal

Most of the coast is of boulders, either of basalt or chalk. Generally, apart from more sheltered locations, the fucoid flora is patchy, but when the intertidal region is composed of a platform of rough, creviced limestone ridges and rockpools, as at Seacourt, algal diversity can be rich (sub-littoral and littoral chalk).

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 and mainly restricted to former demesne

Actions:

• enhance the biodiversity value of demesne/parkland woodland by encouraging further 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 of demesne woodlands particularly any ancient and long-established, as a key to future management
• encourage control of grazing in broadleaved woodlands and hazel scrub to foster regeneration and if necessary, encourage replanting of canopy species
• encourage planting of broadleaved woods (through appropriate grant schemes) rather than 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 species-rich grassland - especially on base rich chalk and basalt soils

COASTAL

Issue: effects of sewage outfalls on coastal communities

Action:

• monitor the effects of sewage outfalls on coastal communities as small coastal towns and recreational facilities expand.

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