West Fermanagh Scarplands
West Fermanagh Scarplands has a diverse range of geological
and physiographical features. These support a range of habitats
and associated vegetation communities of unparalleled significance
in Northern Ireland.
The rocks of the area are some 335 million years old and date
from the Carboniferous, a time when Ireland lay near the equator.
The Limestone formations at Knockmore Hill are particularly
significant. The Knockmore area supports a range of surface
karst topography including some of the finest limestone pavement
in Northern Ireland. Three major cave systems also occur within
the site, with over 14km of surveyed passage in total.
Along the lower slopes of the scarps and in river valleys,
where soils are influenced by the limestone rocks, base-rich
woodlands dominated by Ash with an understorey of Hazel remain
largely undisturbed. In combination, these represent one of
the most extensive semi-natural woodlands of this type in Northern
Ireland. Wet woodlands dominated by Alder Alnus glutinosa and
Downy Birch Betula pubescens also occur where soils are flushed
or waterlogged.
The upper slopes of the area are dominated by large expanses
of intact blanket bog which display a diversity of structural
features on the bog surface. Wet and dry heaths are associated
with the shallower peats.
Grassland communities are complex and reflect the range of
soil, topographic and other environmental factors as well as
past and present management. Grassland types range from species
rich calcareous grasslands on limestone outcrops, to wet, flushed
grasslands. Some of these are dominated by Purple Moor-grass
Molinia caerulea within a sedge and herb-rich sward, generally
known as ‘Fen Meadow’.
The area includes a number of rivers and upland lakes. Lakes
range from oligotrophic, those that are poor in plant nutrients,
to naturally eutrophic lakes with moderate levels of enrichment
providing a diversity of plant and animal species. Springs and
flushes also represent a notable feature of the area, especially
‘petrifying’ springs, where calcium-rich water seeps
to the surface along the base of limestone cliffs. The rich
flora and fauna associated with this extensive and highly diverse
area supports a large number of rare and notable species.
There is no public access to this site.
