Biodiversity in County Roscommon

Biodiversity in County Roscommon Frog Mote Park Fly Agaric Fungus South Roscommon Grassland Buckthorn Tree Some places Wildlife Species in County Habitats support an array of animal and Biodiversity in Roscommon plant species, some are very visible to see wildlife... and some not so visible. County Roscommon Some species can be dependent on Annaghmore Lough another for survival. Peacock Butterfly near Strokestown The brimstone butterfly is widespread Bogs throughout the county in County Roscommon. It lays its eggs on the leaves of the buckthorn tree. Hedgerows everywhere The caterpillars feed on the leaves and eventually develop into the adult butterfly. Lake O’Flynn near The removal the buckthorn tree from the Ballinlough countryside would result in the brimstone butterfly losing its food source, which in Lough Allen turn could lead to a decrease in the species or even its extinction. Lough Funshinagh Brimstone Butterfly Lough Ree Mote Park Wood Grasslands Much of County Roscommon is covered with grassland habitat. Lough Key Forest Park Pastures and meadows hold a diverse array of grasses, wildflowers, insects, birds and animals. Wildflowers add colour to meadows and attract many St John’s Wood species of insect that, in turn, attract birds and animals. Suck Valley Fox The 7 Spot Ladybird Hay Meadow Produced by Roscommon County Council © 2009 Text and images: John J Earley MSc. © 2009 Funded by the Heritage Council. Design by: www.creativefreedom.ie Biodiversity in County Roscommon Turlough near Strokestown What is Habitats of Roscommon Turloughs Biodiversity? County Roscommon hosts an array of interesting habitats including Turloughs are temporary water peat bogs, hedgerows, wildflower meadows, conifer woodlands, native lakes that are filled and emptied Biodiversity is short for Biological woodlands, fens, marshes, turloughs, lakes, rivers and eskers. Diversity, the variety of life through a swallow hole on earth. This includes all life connected with the underground forms - plants, animals and water table. Depending on the habitats of which they are rainfall, most turloughs are part. It varies from the largest filled during the winter months animal to the smallest micro- of the year. Turloughs occur organism. It also includes crops mainly in Ireland and are and humans. It is the relationship principally associated with within species, between species limestone areas. They occur and the relationship with their widely in the western counties environment. including Roscommon. Turloughs are important Why is Biodiversity Buttercups as wildfowl wintering sites. Wintering species include important? whooper swan, golden plover, Biodiversity is important because lapwing, curlew and several without it the world would not species of duck. exist. Biodiversity sustains all living things; providing us with food, medicines, fuels and Lough Funshinagh building materials. The processes of biodiversity help to provide the planet with fresh air, clean water, pollination of crops, fertility of soil and control of pests and diseases. Ballinturley Drystone Wall County Bogs Roscommon St. John’s Wood Around seventy peat bogs have been identified in County Roscommon. St. John’s Wood is situated on Roscommon is an inland Peat bogs host an interesting and diverse array of wildlife including birds, the western shore of Lough county covering an area of mammals, insects, wildflowers, lichens and fungi. approximately 2,500 square Ree near Lecarrow, between kilometres. The landscape is Buckthorn Leaves Athlone and Roscommon generally flat with gentle rolling town. The wood is interesting hills. Only in some northern because the trees and wildlife parts of the county does the are all native Irish species. land rise above 250m. Hazel is the dominant tree Most of the county is underlain species in the wood. with carboniferous limestone. At around 300 acres, St John’s There are a few pockets of wood is the largest native sandstone, in the north, west and woodland in the midlands and east of the county. one of the largest hazel woods The underlying geology is one in Ireland. of the main factors that influences the habitats and species found in Birds at Sunset the county. Hazel Catkins The River Suck lies to the west and south of the county, while the mighty River Shannon flows along its eastern border. Bog St. John’s Wood.

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