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Moss Discovered ! - The Latest revelation from Fenor Bog

For release 22 February 2001

A moss, previously unknown in Co. Waterford has recently been discovered on
Fenor Bog. Calliergon giganteum is a specialist species of fens which forms
dense tufts on wet ground. It is brownish in colour and it may be recognised
by its robust bushy habit and its crowded branches which spread in all
directions.

The moss was discovered by Dr Howard Fox, a bryologist with the National
Botanic Gardens in Dublin whose attention was drawn to the Fenor Bog
following the efforts of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council and Móin
Fhionnúrach Development Association to purchase the 32 acre bog in 1999.

Dr Howard is one of a number of specialists who have been involved in
recording the flora and fauna of this remarkable site. The number of plant
and animal species now protected within the fen stands at 350.

Calliergon giganteum is found in 30 of the 40 botanical divisions of the
country. Now Waterford is one of them. This and information on the 37 other
mosses and liverworts recorded on Fenor by Dr Howard will be included in a
bryophyte mapping scheme which is being co-ordinated by the British
Bryological Society. Bryophytes form a division of the plant kingdom and
include liverworts, mosses and hornworts. They are mainly small, flat,
prostrate plants, without roots, they are abundant in wet, open bog and fen
habitats in Ireland.

"The discovery of this moss on Fenor Bog indicates how important the site is
for the protection of the county's biodiversity. I would like to see some of
the other 12 fens in Co. Waterford being given similar protection. Who knows
what we would discover in them if they could be surveyed." says Dr Peter
Foss, of the IPCC.

A fen is a wetland with a permanently high water level. Its principal source
of nutrients is from surface or ground water and the substrate is an
alkaline to slightly acid peat soil. Fens were once widespread but they are
now in danger of disappearing as a result of drainage and development.

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Irish Peatland Conservation Council
119 Capel Street
Dublin 1
Ireland

Tel: +353-1-8722384
Fax: +353-1-8722397

e-mail: bogs@ipcc.ie
web: http://www.ipcc.ie

IPCC - Action for Bogs & Wildlife - Ag caomhnu na bportach

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