Donaghcloney 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

• very little woodland
• dominated by improved pasture of little biodiversity interest
• high percentage of arable land (25%) mostly on well drained brown earths
• no significant areas of wetland

Woodlands

There is very little woodland in this LCA. To the far south of the LCA at Benoge there are a few small shelterbelts of mixed woodland. There are also scattered trees at Drumcro House.

Grassland and Arable

Grassland is the dominant land cover in this LCA, 95% of which is improved pasture. 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 especially to the south. Arable land accounts for about 25% of the land cover, which is a very high percentage for Northern Ireland, over three times the average. Farmland is often of low biodiversity interest, but can be significant for farmland birds such as song thrush and reed bunting.

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.

Heath and Bogs

There are none in this LCA

Wetlands and Lakes

There are no significant wetlands or lakes. The River Lagan flows through this LCA and contains 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

Action:

• encourage new woodland planting, especially of native broadleaves, 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 (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
• leaving stubble over winter, rather than autumn ploughing, to increase food resources for farmland birds; spring sown cereals are beneficial to breeding birds

WETLANDS

Issue: maintain good water quality in streams and rivers

Actions:

• improve water quality of rivers through nutrient management and reducing suspended sediments
• 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 plant

Click here to return to the Northern Ireland LCA Map