Index Home Join IPCC

Fenor Bog reveals its wildlife secrets

For Release 14th July 1999

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) and Móin Fhionnúrach Development Association (MFDA) have just released a vegetation survey report of Fenor Bog, Co. Waterford. The work was undertaken by a researcher from the International Agricultural College in Larenstein, the Netherlands. The bog, one of only 10 fens in Co. Waterford is a Natural Heritage Area, and is jointly owned by the two groups.

On the basis of this report IPCC & MFDA are calling on the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands to declare Fenor Bog a National Nature Reserve. The group will also be undertaking management work to ensure that the value of the bog to wildlife is maintained and enhanced.

The survey found:

• 118 plant and 110 animal species on Fenor Bog.
• The Orange Tip Butterfly was discovered on Fenor Bog, for the first time in 10 years.
• Nine vegetation types were recorded on the bog and included: Wet herb vegetation, Tussock vegetation, Acid bog vegetation, Bramble vegetation, Fen carr woodland, Drainage ditch vegetation, Gorse vegetation, Swamp grassland vegetation and Pasture.
• The most widespread vegetation type on the fen was Tussock vegetation with the Greater Tussock Sedge (Carex paniculata) and Common Rush (Juncus effusus), covering 55% of the fen area.
• The most biologically diverse vegetation type was the wet herb vegetation, dominated by Water Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile), Bottle Sedge (Carex rostrata) and Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata). This covered 30% of the fen.
• Marsh St John's-wort (Hypericum elodes) occurred abundantly in the wet herb vegetation.
• Acid bog vegetation was confined to the southern margin of Fenor Bog and covered a maximum 5% of the surface area.
• Fen carr woodland with Alder (Alnus glutinosa) and Willow species (Salix species) covered 10% of the site.
• A conservation evaluation of Fenor Bog rated it highly on biological diversity, rarity and potential value.
• 27 Recorded Monuments of archaeological interest occurred within the vicinity of Fenor Bog including earthworks, ring forts, a standing stone and tombs.
• Three sensitive areas of importance for the conservation of flora have been identified on Fenor Bog and need special protection to maintain the biological diversity of the site.

The survey was funded by the Royal Netherlands Embassy and the Praeger Fund of the Royal Irish Academy. This project was the National Winner of the Ford European Conservation Awards in 1999.

ends