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Bog Conservation Evaluation
SITE NAME: ______________________________________
DATE OF VISIT: ___________________________________
RECORDED BY ___________________________________
Use the point system to find out how important
the bog you visited might be for conservation. Circle the scores
you give for each feature and total up the number of points at
the end.
1. SIZE OF BOG:
| < 50ha | score 1 |
| 51-150ha | score 2 |
| > 151ha | score 3 |
2. NUMBER OF PLANTS:
| 1-12 | score 1 |
| 13-18 | score 2 |
| > 19 | score 3 |
3. NUMBER OF ANIMALS:
| 1-7 | score 1 |
| 8-12 | score 2 |
| > 13 | score 3 |
4. NUMBER AND POSITION OF DRAINS:
| through the bog | subtract 1 |
| around the edges of the bog | subtract 1 |
| no drains present | subtract 1 |
5. WATER TABLE DEPTH:
| deeper than 11 cm | score 1 |
| within 10cm of the surface | score 2 |
| at the surface | score 3 |
6. BOG HABITATS PRESENT:
| hummocks and hollows | score 1 |
| pools | score 1 |
| lakes | score 1 |
| natural drainage features | score 1 |
| flushes | score 1 |
| marginal fen | score 1 |
| swallow holes | score 1 |
| flat bog | score 1 |
| dry ridge | score 1 |
| quaking bog | score 1 |
| soak system | score 1 |
7. PEAT SURFACE:
| hard and dry | score 1 |
| soft and wet | score 2 |
8. WILDERNESS AND LANDSCAPE:
| man-modified bog landscape (> 3 man-made features visible) | score 1 |
| natural bog landscape (up to 3 man-made features visible | score 2 |
| wild bog landscape (presence of man totally absent | score 3 |
9. CUTOVER BOG HABITATS PRESENT AT
THE EDGE OF THE BOG:
| wild flower grassland | score 1 |
| birch scrub woodland | score 1 |
| rushes | score 1 |
| regenerating Sphagnum bog | score 2 |
| regenerating fen communities | score 2 |
| bog cotton communities | score 1 |
| bare peat | subtract 1 |
10. ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTEREST:
| pine and/or oak stumps visible at the edge of the bog | score 1 |
| archaeological finds made on site | score 1 |
| historic monument beside the bog | score 1 |
11. USE OF THE BOG & THREATS:
| education | score 1 |
| recreation | score 1 |
| shooting | subtract 1 |
| hand turf cutting | subtract 1 |
| sausage peat cutting | subtract 1 |
| hopper peat cutting | subtract 1 |
| industrial peat cutting | subtract 1 |
| forestry | subtract 1 |
| dumping | subtract 1 |
| burning | subtract 1 |
| grazing | subtract 1 |
| wind farms | subtract 1 |
| Rhododendron invasion | subtract 1 |
| erosion (bare peat visible | subtract 1 |
| invasion of trees onto bog surface | subtract 1 |
Your total score: __________________
SCORE OF 22 OR MORE POINTS
A high score for the bog visited indicates that the site is of
international conservation value and merits designation as either
a Special Area of Conservation under the Habitats Directive or
a Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive. Such sites
are protected under international legislation because they represent
habitats and provide a refuge for birds that are rare or endangered
within the European Union.
SCORE FROM 15 TO 21 POINTS
A moderately high score for the bog visited indicates that the
site is of national importance and merits designation as a Natural
Heritage Area under the Wildlife Act in Ireland. Such sites are
of national importance because they protect habitats and species
of flora and fauna that are rare and endangered in Ireland.
SCORE OF 14 OR LESS POINTS
A low score for the bog visited indicates that the site is of
regional importance and merits designation as a Natural Heritage
Area under the Wildlife Act in Ireland. Such sites are regionally
important as they provide a refuge for species and habitats representative
of that region.
SUGGEST THREE WAYS TO INCREASE THE
CONSERVATION VALUE OF THE BOG YOU VISITED.
1.
2.
3.
