Ecological Survey of the Royal Canal 1989

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0 1. Part 1 contains the report of an ecological survey ofthe entire length of the Royal Canal, carried out over two years,1989 and 1991. The min objectives were to assess the values of thecanal 0 corridor for nature conservation and to make recommendations for restoration and management of the canal taking these values into aooouat. For the purposes of this survey the waterway was divided 0 into three management units which were: Unit I. Recently dredgedand navigable channel; Unit II. Watered channel but not recently dredged; and Unit III. Dry channel. There are 10 listedAreas of u Scientific Interest (ASI) along the length of the Royal Canal.

2. The habitats of the canal corridor were divided, in arose- u section, into four zones - boundary, towpath, bank and channel. Hedgerows are the dominant habitats of the boundary but inplaces there are small areas of native woodland and scrub whichhave developed due to lack of grazing. Wetland habitats on theboundary include small areas of fen, oarr woodland and raised bogswith a number of drains and ditches. The towpath is generally a grassy 0 track dominated by trample-resistant species but there are some 1 areas of meadow and nutrient-poor limestone grassland. The canal bank includes transitional habitats between dry grassland at the top u and the emergent fringe at the base.The channel habitats are arranged in a series of parallel bands from the emergentvegetation in the shallow water to the submerged and floating-leaved plantsin 0 the centre of the channel. The stonework of looks, bridges and harbours provides a range of wall habitats. 1

3. The vascular flora was surveyed in detail on every sectionof the canal. A total of 398 species was recorded with the greatest diversity in the boundary and bank zones. The frequency of 0 occurrence of each species along the canal and its preferencefor particular zones was calculated in order to provide an indexof occurrence within the canal system. The boundary zone of Unit II u contains many more of the rarer species than the otherunits. The greatest diversity in the towpath zone occurs where there are adjacent harbours, looks, woodland or nutrient-poor grassland. The u greatest diversity in the bank zone occurs where the slopeis gradual and incorporates a range of habitat types. Lowest bank diversity is found in urban areas and sections which haverecently 0 been dredged. In the channel the greatest diversity occurs in the .semi-aquatic sections of Units II and III which may includeopen water, muddy bed, grassland and scrub. The looks, bridges and u harbours along the canal support a range of plants typicalof wall habitats and are especially diverse in the derelict sections. A number of nationally rare species were found in the canalcorridor a mainly in habitats such as fens which are themselves scarce. Two species, Groenlandia denser and Orohia morio. which are protected under the Wildlife Act, 1976, were recorded.A number of plant species are confined to the Dublin pity sections of thecanal because of their proximity to gardens, waste ground and thecoast'.

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4. The revegetation of dumped spoil one year after dredging vas recorded in 12 sample sections along Unit I of thecanal. The resulting vegetation vas more diverse on the bank than inthe other zones. The rate of revegetation on the towpath and boundary was negatively correlated with spoil depth and compaction caused by heavy machines travelling on drying spoil. The revegetation with species present prior to dredging was most rapid where spoilwas shallow or where it was mixed with topsoil. Vegetation vas slower 0 to reoolonise the boundary zone when this was damaged bymachinery during dredging operations.

i 5. The breeding bird communities of the canal were surveyed. A complete census of riparian species was undertaken in May andJune 1990 and a mapping census of non-riparian species vas carriedout-on M a sample of 25km of canal boundary. Overall, the canal had a very 1 low density of breeding riparian birds by comparison with other

waterways. This is due to the recent disruption of the channeland _ 0 banks by dredging in Unit I and the lank ofwater in Unit III. Unit II held the highest density of water birds, especially inthe sections vest of Mullingar where there was a combination ofopen 0 water, think marginal vegetation and undisturbed banks with overhanging trees. Moorhens were especially sensitive to dredging. The density of non-riparian breeding birds in the canal boundaries was similar to that found in mature hedgerows in otherparts of Ireland. The community was dominated by five species, Robin, Blackbird, Wren, Willow Warbler and Chaffinch, which together accounted for about 80% of all breeding territories. The community structure and species diversity were very similar to those foundin hedgerows on farmland.

6. A sample survey of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) vas carried out in five study areas chosen to represent thefull range M of habitat types and management regimes on the canal. Previous records from the canal have also been reviewed. A total of 13 species has been recorded, representing over half of the Irish Odonata, although none of those found is nationally rare. The species composition was similar to that found in still-eater habitats (including canals) in lowland Britain. A significant difference in species richness was found between the study areasand this was related to the intensity of management with theremoval of emergent vegetation and bankside trees having the moat drastic M effects. Recovery of the Odonata one year after dredging at 1 Clonsilla, Co. Dublin was only partial with the absence ofshelter and emergent vegetation limiting the return of some species. 1 7. Previous surveys of freshwater molluscs and water beetles in the canal system have been reviewed. A total of 28 mollusc species has 0 been recorded from the canal between 1975 and 1983 representingover half the Irish freshwater gastropod and bivalve fauna. The continuous vaterbody of the canal has enabled many species toexpand r beyond their normal range and several are unknown outside thecanal systems of south-east Ireland. The rare snail nyxc glutinosa has 1 been recorded from one locality only on the canal. Water beetle 1

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assemblages in six localities on the Co.Weataeath section of the - canal were sampled in.1986. A total of 49 aquatic and semi-aquatic species was recorded including several which are scarce in similar habitats in Britain. One species, ZWzyohiua velutua, has not been recorded elsewhere in Ireland in recent years. The water beetle I fauna in most of the sites sampled was dominated bythose species which live in deep open water among vegetation. It was impoverished because of eutrophication (water pollution) and the absence of well- I vegetated and structurally complex banks to the canal. An exception was found along the canal feeder supply from Lough Ovelwhich held u over twice as many species as the other localities. 8. -The impacts of management on nature conservation throughout the canal system have been reviewed. These were considered under the a general headings of restoration, maintenance and recreational use. I Dredging and dumping of spoil can have significant impacts onflora and fauna as can tree-cutting and scrub clearance. Changing the u grazing regime may reduce species diversity on the towpath and 1 boundary habitats. Maintenance of high water quality is essential for nature conservation and fisheries while the use of aquatic 0 herbicides has reduced species diversity in the channel. Fisheries management is limited at present but is likely to increasein 1 future. The most significant potential impacts of angling are disturbance to nesting birds and contamination with lead weights. Increased boat traffic is likely to reduce the abundance ofsome aquatic and semi-aquatic plant species but this is preferable to chemical means of keeping the channel clear.

9: Part 2 of this report contains general guidelines for conservation management on the Royal Canal and recommendation.for each auction of the entire system. This should allow nature conservation to be given equal priority with other values ofthe u canal, to maximise diversity and to allow flexibility in management- to take account of the variability of nature. u

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W LIST OF FIGURES ii LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF APPENDICES V 1 E ACKNOWLEDGE ENTS Vi E SOME DEFINITIONS ANDABBREVIATIONS GENERALRECOPOUMCDATIONS E PHOTOGRAPHS I CHAPTER 1. E 1 1.1 General Description 43 1.2 Canal Restoration 43 1.3 Ecological Survey 46 1.4 Study Area E CHAPTER 2. HABITATS 2.1 Introduction 52 0 2.2 Habitats of the Boundary 2.3 Towpath Habitats 59 2.4 Bank Habitats 60. E 2.5 Channel Habitats 60 2.6 Stonework Structured Habitats61 2.7 Summary.

CHAPTER 3. FLORA OF THE ROYAL CANAL

3.1 Introduction 63 3.2 Methodology 63 3.3 Results 64 E 3.4 Discussion 82 3.5 Plants Generally confined to the Dublin City Stretch of the RoyalCanal. 86 i 3.6 Revegetation of Dredged Areas 87 CHAPTER 4. FAUNA E 1 4.1 Mammals 4.2 Birds 100 E 4.3 Invertebrates 111 1 0 CHAPTER 5. IMPACTS OF MANAGEMENT 5.1 Restoration 132 5.2 Maintenance 141 5.3 Recreational Use 154

BIBLIOGRAPHY 160 APPENDICES 1 E FIGURE NO

1.1 Royal Canal - Management Units and Areas of Scientific Interest 44 2.1 Limestone Grassland and Woodland 1 E alongthe Royal Canal 57 2.2 Bogs, Fens and Drains along the 1 E Royal Canal 58 4.1 Study Areas for the Census of Non-Riparian Breeding Birds 106 4.2 Study Areas for Survey of E Dragonfliesand Damselflies 113 1 E 5.1 Channel Design 139 5.2 Channel orientation and planting 1 0 for shade 147 5.3 Manipulation of Shading 148 E 0

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E 1 t I 1 ii 1 a LIST OF TABLES f N TABLE NO. PAGE r 1.1 Management Units used in the Ecological 0 Survey of the'Royal Canal. 45 1.2 Dredging in Unit I of the Royal Canal E .up to the time of this study. 49 1.3 Areas of Scientific Interest on the - Royal Canal. 51 3.1 Numbers of Species recorded in each E E Zone of the 3 Units along the canal. Numbers of Species in Revegetated Zones also shown. E 64 C 3.2 The Diversity of Species found along each Zone and on the Stone Structures of each R km section along the Three Units of the Royal Canal. 65 I 0 3.3 Sections with the highest and lowest diversities along Units II and III of 1 the canal in the Boundary, Towpath and Bank Zones. 69 1 3.4 Habitats which add to the diversity of species in the Boundary Zone of the Royal Canal. 70 1 0 3.5Rare Species of the canal Boundary Zone of Units II and 111. 93 I N 3.6 Species with the highest occurrence ($) in the Towpath of Units II and ' 0 III of the Royal Canal. 72 3.7 Rare Species of the canal Towpath of Units II and III. 70 I 3.8 Species with the highest Occurrence ($) on the Bank of Units I, II and 0 III of the Royal Canal. 75 1 3.9 Rare Species of the canal Bank Zone s of Units I, II and III of the Royal Canal. 97 3.10 Sections with the highest and lowest diversities along Units II and III of the canal in the Channel and on the 1 0 Locks and Bridges of the Royal Canal. 77 3.11 Species with the highest Occurrence ($) in the Channel of Units I, II and I III of the Royal Canal. 79 3.12 Rare Species of the Channel of the a Royal Canal. 80 u 111 I PAGE t 3.13 Plants peculiar to the Dublin City stretch of the Royal Canal as a result of external influences. 86 1 3.14 Diversities on the dredging spoil. of the Royal Canal after one growing season. 88 1 3.15 Species occurring most often ($) on the dredging spoil of the Bank, Towpath and Boundary along Unit I of 1 the Royal Canal. 89 4.1 Study Areas for Breeding Bird Census 1 on the Royal Canal 1990. 108 0 4.2 Breeding populations of reparian bird 1 species (pairs) and density of territories (pairs/10km) on the Royal Canal, 1990. 108 4.3 Breeding territories of non-riparian . birds on the Royal Canal. 109 0 1 4.4 Mute Swan breeding territories on the

_ Royal Canal. 110 0 4.5 Odonata records from the Royal Canal. 1.14 4.6 Distribution of adult Odonata on the 0 Royal Canal in 1990. 116 4.7 Adult Odonata recorded in the Callaghan Bridge study area before and one year 1 M after dredging. 117 4.8 Species/Site Table for Royal Canal I l Mollusca. 126 4.9 Locations of Survey Sites with sample-type where shown. 127 I 4.10 Distribution of Aquatic Coleoptera 0 on the Royal Canal in 1986. 5.1 Soil Preferences and the associated invertebrates of Hedgerow Trees. 141 M 5.2 Target spectra of selected herbicides. 150 5.3 Susceptibility of Aquatic Plants to 1 M Dichlobenil. 151 1 a I

l iv APPENDIX

Appendix I. Plants of the Royal Canal according to Habitat. 168 Appendix 2. The (a) Occurrence ($) of species found in all zones and stonework along the three Units of the Royal Canal: (b) the Zonal Preference ($) a of each of the species found on the Boundary, Towpath and Bank Zones as a proportion of the total population 1 of each species of the 3 Zones within a Km section. 172 u . Appendix 3a. Plants of the Boundary Zone 1 of Unit I of the Royal Canal. 185 Appendix 3b. Species found in each section 1 along the Boundary Zone of Units II and III of the Royal Canal. 189 u 1 Appendix 4a. Plants of the Towpath Zone of u Unit I of the Royal Canal. 200 Appendix 4b. Species found in all Sections 1 along the Towpath Zones of Units II and III of the Royal Canal. 204 I Appendix 5a. Plants of the Bank Verge of Unit I of the Royal Canal. 208 Appendix 5b. Species list for each section along the 1 Bank Zone of Units II and III of the Royal Canal. 212 1 Appendix 6a. Plants of the Channel of Unit I of the Royal Canal. 221 Appendix 6b. Species lists for each section along the Channel of Units II and III of the Royal Canal. 222 Appendix 7a. Plants of the Locks and Bridges of Unit I of the Royal Canal. 228 1 Appendix 7b. Species of Locks, Bridges and Harbours along Units II and III R of the Royal Canal. 230 1 Appendix S. Species and Species Diversity recorded on some selected areas which were dredged during 1989 and 1990 along the Royal Canal. 235 Appendix 9. Species List of Plants recorded 1 along the Royal Canal: Latin to English. 238

Appendix 10. Native trees and shrubs suitable for planting. 246 V I 1

This survey was supervised by Jim Ryan of the OPWWildlife 1 Service who provided helpful commentson an earlier draft N of the report. General help and support provided by:Gerry Wrynn and other staff of the OPW Waterways Sectionwas also much appreciated.

The .authors wish to acknowledge the help of volunteers in' censusing the breeding birds of the Royal Canal during 1 0 1990. Those who took part were Bruce Carrick, Richard Collins, Brendan Convery, Joe Doolan, Brendan Kavanagh, John McMahon, Fiona O'Donnell, Jonathon Shackleton, Brendan 1 Twomey, Pat Warner and Fiona White. Records of breeding swans were supplied by Richard Collins.

Thanks are due to Dr. Brian Nelson, organiser of theIrish 1 Odonata Recording Scheme, who supplied records from the scheme, and provided helpful advice and comments. I Dragonfly records supplied by Jonathan Shackleton for the Clonsilla area are also gratefully acknowledged.

N Thanks are due to Declan Doogue for his reporton the freshwater mollusca and to David Bilton for reviewing the data on water beetles in the canal.

Nick Stewart provided informationon rare Charophytes for. 1 . which the authors are most grateful. Thanks are also due to the following: 1 0 Jonathan Briggs of the British Waterways; Joe Caffrey, Brendan Cooney and Kate Monahan of the Central Fisheries Board,Dublin; 1 a Conn Breen of the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club; Staff of the Organisation Unit and Typists' Section of the OPW. 0 1 1

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1 u VI I 11):4;0 co 1 10c1 , Canal Corridor: Thezones withinthe boundary structures. i.e. channel verges towpath cuttings M embankments boundary a Bank Verge (bkv): The strip of land between the towpath and the channel. Boundary Verge (bdv): Thestrip of land between the 0 towpath and the boundary. Nearside (ns): The bank of the canal carrying 0 the towpath. Offside (ofs): Thebank opposite thetowpath 1 side. 0 1 E ABBREVIATIONS AFF An Foras Forbartha 1 ASI Area of Scientific Interest BWB : British Waterways Board (now British Waterways) CFB : Central Fisheries Board 1 CIE : Coras Iompair Eireann IWAI : Inland Waterways Association of Ireland MGW : Midland Great Western Railway NCC : Nature Conservancy Council OPW : Office of Public Works RCAG : Royal Canal Amenity Group RCN : Royal Canal News 0 1

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VU a GENERAL RSCOMIIENDATIONS 1. on3zcyrvzg

To give nature conservation equal priority with other values. To maximise diversity by varying management practices over space and time. To allow flexibility-in management to take into account the variablity of nature. 1

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Because of the conservation value of the western section of the canal a full-time ecologist should be employed to monitorthe remaining restoration work.

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0 General The channel should only be dredged in short sections (ofnot M more than 5km) to allow recolonisation from adjacent lengths. Hydraulic machinery should be used where possible as it is.

-. more selective and flexible than the present system.

Dredging should be minimised during the months !March to July to avoid the main growing season and to reduce disturbanceto 0 nesting birds.

Natural revegetation of dredging spoil should be monitored 0 annually to decide the beat form of management.

Protection of reed fringe Dredging should be carried out from one bank only leavinga 0 wide band of marginal vegetation on the offside. 1 . In sections where the only surviving reedbeds are on the towpath side of the canal the floating dredger should beused .to. M avoid damaging the marginal vegetation. 1 Channel design This refers specifically to the restoration of unwatered sections of the canal. 0 A deep central channel should be created to prevent thegrovth of rooted plants which obstruct navigation and to obviate theneed-- 1 for herbicide spraying.

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- ' Where feasible submerged berms should be created in the channel bank to facilitate the growth of shallow eater marginal 1 vegetation outside the navigation area. Silt traps should be restored and maintained at intervals in 1 the channel so that the resulting accumulations of siltmay be selectively dredged. 1 Create artificial islands in a number of the canal harboursas nest sites for mute swans and other breeding waterfowl. (The island in Maynooth Harbour provides a successful model.) Spoil ition Spoil should not be dumped on wetlands suchas fens and raised bogs or on unimproved grasslands along the canal bankas these.are the richest sites botanically.

Spoil may be dumped in a trench dug between thetowpath and the boundary. This should then be recovered with topsoil and allowed.. to revegetate naturally.

Alternatively spoil may be dumped between the towpath and the boundary and topsoil spread thinly over this.

If there are no other suitable places close to thecanal bank 1 spoil-could be spread thinly in scrub.

Control of n growth on apo+ 1 heaps 1 -Early colonising plants should be mowed at least twice inthe first year and the cuttings removed. In subsequent years a single late summer mowing should be sufficient. 1 2.1.3 'Repair work 1 Bank protection Natural materials or vegetation should be used in bank M protection wherever possible instead of sheet piling. gg eater levels M Drastic changes of water level should be avoided in themonths of March to July to minimise disturbanceto nesting water birds.

Coffer dame may be needed to reduce the length ofdevatered sections and hence the impacton marginal plants and animals. 1 0 .2.1.4 Towpath 1 Towpaths should not be reseeded after clearance and should be allowed to revegetate naturally. 1

1 1 2.2 XALVZBWM 2.2.1 B&,kside tress

Tree-cutting should be avoided during the months of March to July to reduce disturbance to nesting birds and damage toplants during the gain growing season.

Removal of overhanging branches should be confined. to those which overhang the canal and catch floating debrisor obstruct navigation.

Pollarding is a suitable management method for willows. Young growth is trimmed off each year at a height of2m from the ground 0 .producinga solid stem and a crown of young growth. 1

Coppicing is suitable for management of shrubsor young hazel 0 .willow or alder trees where access for machinery isnecessary. Trunks are out close to the ground usinga slanting out which sheds 1 rainwater. Branches regenerate from the base or stool.

Selective removal of trees Removal of trees should be confined to the winter monthsto minimise disruption of plant communities and disturbanceto nesting birds.

0 Priority should be given to removal of exoticor introduced species such as conifers or sycamore. Native species suchas alder, 1 - willow, ash etc should be retained where possible. 2.2.2S,pKsh

Clearance of scrub should be avoided during the months of u March to July to reduce disturbance to nesting birds. 0 2.2.3 Uidaerows 1 Management metho Hedgerows should be trimmed on short lengths on a two to three . year rotation.

0 Trimming should be carried out in the months Octoberto February to avoid damage to growing shrubs and disturbanceof a nesting birds. Hedgerow trees should be protected from damage duringtrimming 1 and young saplings should be allowed togrow to maturity. 1

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1 Reo^lan_ting Preference should be given in replanting programmes to the use of native tree and shrub species such as those which grow naturally M in the surrounding countryside. Planting of shrub and tree species should be done inautum or N spring but not during severe frosts. 2.2.4rslaalana Grazing Grazing of individual sites either by sheepor cattle should be consistent from year to year to vary the heightof the resulting r E award.

. . Boundary fencing should be repaired where necessary to control 0 stock. I

0 . Stocking rates should be lower than the averageon agricultural land to avoid damage to canal banks and poachingof 1 towpath soils.

0 Fencing should be erected along the water's edge where banks are gently sloping to prevent poaching of bank structure.

In general stock should be removed from the land notlater than 30 October in any year to avoid overgrazing duringthe non- M growing season. RMEIN 0 More grazing cannot be continued, mowing should be introduced to prevent invasion of grassland by woody species. Species-rich grasslands should be mown once per year after mid-August whenthe N main flowering season is over.

All hay or other out vegetation should be removed fromthe towpath to maintain the low nutrient status of the grassland.

Plant species colonising bare ground after disturbance of the towpath may need to be controlled by more frequent movingduring the first 2 to 3 years.

In general, herbicides should not be usedas these maydamage non-target grassland species. Spot treatment of woody plants may be .used as necessary. 2.2.5 Wetlands

M Wetland areas such as fens whichoccur on or close to the canal should be fenced to give controlover grazing. 0 0 M I 1 Grazing in such areas should be limited to light stockingin late summer and autumn only to allow full flowering ofthe wetland species and to avoid poaching. 1

Sensitive habitats . . Sensitive small habitats such as fens and woodland should be left intact (see Part I, Chapter 2) 1 2.2.6 patio vegetaties 1 Envir=mental control Water depth should be managed to limit the growth ofaquatic vegetation in the navigation channel(see Section 2.1.2). I Boat traffic should be encouraged during thesummer months as a means of keeping the navigation channel clear of plantgrowth.

mechanical Dotting

. Cutting should be carried out twiceper year (once in early summer and once in late summer) using a boat mountedcutter. 0 Cutting should be limited to the ventral navigation channel leaving marginal vegetation fringesas intact as possible.

Cuttings should be disposed of away from the canalor should 0 be composted and used elsewhere. E Herbicides Herbicides should only be used where all the above methodsof controlling plant growth have been tried and have failed. Before 0 being widely used on the Royal Canal, the environmentalimpact of any herbicides should be carefully assessed.

Biological control The introduction of herbivorous fish suchas grass carp ( ) should not be considered because of M potential impacts on other parts of the aquaticecosystem. i 2.2.7 141QLI Use only mechanical methods to clean and maintain stonework. Herbicides should not be used as thesemy enter the water and have 0 damaging effects on aquatic plants. 1 0 2.2.8 /ester quality All direct discharges other than feederstreams mould be eliminated and the water quality of thestreams themselves should 0 be monitored to ensure early detection of pollutionsources. 1 M 0 M 5 1

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Native Trees and shrubs suitable for planting I

Acid Neutral Alkaline I I

<5m metres in height t Alder * *

I Birch * * I 0 Blackthorn * * I 0 Crab apple t I * *

i Spindle

Guelderrose M Hawthorn * * * 1

Hazel * * I 1

Holly * * * I

i Rowan 0 >5 metres m Ash

Oak 0 -1 Willows * * *

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2.3.1Boat traffic Speed limitations should be placed on all boat traffic to 1 prevent damage to canal banks from wash.

Disposal of effluent from boats into the canal should be W prohibited to ensure continued high water quality. 2.3.2 AMU" Re-stocking should be limited to the species of fish already found-in the canal to avoid any imbalance in the predatorprey relationships as they affect invertebrate populations.

Areas of the canal known to be important for breedingand overwintering wildfowl (especially swans) should not be developed for course angling due to the risk of contamination withdiscarded 1 lead weights.

. Herbicide spraying as a fisheries management method should be discontinued (see Section 2.2.6).

0 Limits should be placed on the interference with bank vegetation to facilitate anglers. 1

Angling may need to be restricted in pertain ecologically sensitive areas or at certain time of year to avoiddisturbance to birds.

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Plate 1. 11th August 1990. Section 96 looking eastwards just westof Kiddy's Bridge. The channel is in water at this pointand there isa stream running parallel to it, to the left of the photograph picture. The also shows the wide boundary verge dominated by Seneciojacobaea. A dredged stream forms the boundary to theright of the picture. W

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,d " WI Plate 2. 23rd July 1990. Section D13. eastwards Looking and taken east of CallaghanBridge. A nutrient-poor limestonegrassland can be seen in the boundary. s - so called Thewhere photograph the channel is taken inthe Deep Sinking limestone. was cut through solid The bank at this point issteep and high (2.5m). Species on the boundaryinclude Origanum vul are, Galium verum,Knautia arvensis andBromus erectus.(ASI, Dublin No.2C). Plate 3. 9th August1990. Section 81, east of Shandonagh Bridge, lookingwestwards. The photograph shows the diverse range of rabitats in the boundary- limestone grassland, fen. This section is lightly grazed. This stretch formspart of an ASI on the Royal Canal.(Westmeath No. 25).

Plate 4. 8th August 1990. Looking westwards in M Section 78,just west of Mullingar. The photograph shows the diversity of specieswhich can be found at the hedgerow edgeof the boundary zone. Knautia arvensis, Centaurea niaraand Galium verum are easily seen.This stretch form; part ofan ASI oo the Royal Canal. i.

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Plate 5. 16th August 1990. Section 118. Looking east across the canal show__ng Cloonbreany Bog. This 5 bog forms the boundary along the west of the canalat this point. The bog is draining into the canal here. The canal along this stretch is part ofan ASI on the Royal Canal. (Longford No. 19). a

Plate 6. 11th August 1990. Looking westwards at the beginning of Section 97. Ballymaglavy Bog forms part of theboundary. Thetowpathhasbeen madeof calcareous soil. The species of theacid bog and calcareous towpath exist s_de by side. The canal is breached one kilometre westof theviewshown. This stretch is part of - n SI on the Royal Canal.

(Longfor i! to 10 1

iP" Plate 7. 10thAugust 1990. Section 94 beyond Ballynacarrigy and lookingwestwards towards Kiddy's a Bridge. The photograph shows the meadow-like vegetation of the towpath. Many calcareous species are present. The channel at this pointis almost dry s and supports Cladium mariscus, Typha latifolia, Sparganium erectum and,in the distance Phragmites australis.

Plate 8. 5th July 1990. Section 116 between Cloonbreany and Foygh Bridges. The picture shows the meadow grassland of the towpath. The channel at this point is dominated by Sparganiumerectum. Scrub of the offside bank is beginning toencroach on to the channel. This stretch is part ofan ASI. (Longford, No. 19).

fI Plate 9. 23rd May 1990. Section 118 looking south towards Cloonbreany Bridge. The channel is very muddy at this point withmany poo=_s of water. The towpath is a limestone embankmentbuilt between the channel and Cloonbreany Bog. Cattle graze this section. This stretch is part ofan ASI. (Longford No. 19).

Plate 10. 21st May 1990. Section 113 - Mullawornia, lookingwest fromthe south bank. The towpath supports calcareous limestone species. The channel is grazed and scrub is encroaching into it. To the right is Mullawornia Hill of solidlimestone.

1Z SUM' Plate 11. 17th May 1990. Section 108 looking westwards onthe approach to ToomeBridge. The photograph shows encroachment of scrub from boundary on to towpath. The bank consists of and scrub while the channel is almost dry.

R Plate 12. 3rd July 1990. Section L2 of the Longford Branch Picture shows the west side of the channel and looking northwards in the direction of Longford town. The towpath consists of grasses. The boundary is Hazel Woodland and the bank is overgrown with trees and shrubs.The channel at this point is muddy and overgrown.

is im Plate 13. 15th May 1990. Section 80 between Ballinea and Shandonagh Bridges. The view eastwards shows the towpath which is lightly grazed and supporting many cowslips. The reedfringe here supportsIrises, Sedges and Orchids in addition to other species. The north bank shows scattered scrub. This stretch forms part of an ASI on the Royal Canal.

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Plate 14. 8th August1990. Section 80between Ballinea and Shandonagh Bridges. The photograph shows wide emergent vegetation consistingof Sedges, Irises, Spearworts, Orchids and Bogbean. Meadow species can be seen on the lightly grazedtowpath. This stretch forms part of an ASIon the Royal Canal. (Westmeath, No. 25).

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Plate 15. 16th July 1990. Section D4 immediately east of Liffey Junction and lookingeastwards. The photograph shows a large band ofemergent vegetation dominated by Glyceria maxima. The vegetation at the top of the bank supports Valerianaofficinalis and Filipendula ulmaria. The picture also snows an ideal grass cutting regime wherE! only partof the grass strip is mown. The remainder should be cutonce a year and the cuttings removed.(ASI, Dublin No. 20).

Plate 16. 8th August 1990. Looking eastwardsin Section 72in Mullingar. There isa wide band of emergent vegetation dominated by Glyceria maxima.The wall forms the boundary between gardens and canal property.

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Plate 17. 1st August 1990. Section 37 immediately west of Kilmore Bridge and lookingwestwards. This stretch was dredged in 1989. The photograph shows vegetation growing on a berm. Nuphar lutea is growing in the deeper water just beyond it.

Plate 18. 18th July 1990. Section 68/69 east of Mullingar. Photograph shows characteristic species of nutrient-poorlimestone grassland - Galium verum, Brizia media, Cynosurus cristatus, Averula pubescens and Centaurea nigra.

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Plate 19. 16th July 1990. Section D1/2 taken from Binn's Bridge and looking east. The canal is bordered on the north side by the railway track and onthe south by a walkway. There is much litter in the canal at this point. A swans nest can be seen in the reed fringe on the north bank. 4 cygnets were hatched in 1990. (ASI Dublin, No. 20). Plate 20. 26th July 1990. Section D3 looking east towards Cross Gun's Bridge andLock 5. The water is very shallow at this point withmuch of the bed exposed. There is potentialfor screening using native tree and shrub specieson both sides of the canal boundary.(ASI Dublin No. 20).

Plate 21. 23rd July 1990. Section D12 which is between Kennan and Kirkpatrick Bridges. The photograph shows a view looking eastwards. The canal passes through the Deep Sinking -solid limestone through which the channel had to be cut- at this point and the banks are high and steep. Dense scrub can be seen on the north bank - a havenfor birds and invertebrates. (ASI Dublin No. 20). i 8 f 0

Plate 22. 7th June 1990. Section 79 - immediately east of BallineaBridge andharbour and looking eastwards. Thepicture shows a mixeddeciduous woodland on the south bank. There is scrub/woodland onthenorth bank. There is a healthy emergent vegetation in the harbour andmany damselflies and dragonflies are to be foundhere. There isa wet meadow on the north bank whichprovides a habitat for many other invertebrates. This stretch forms part of an ASI on the Royal Canal.(Westmeath, No.25).

Plate 23. 9th August1990. Section 82west of Shandonagh Bridge and looking to thenorth bank. The photograph shows a diversity of specieson the bank, intheemergent vegetationofbothsidesof the channelandin the channel itself. The emergent vegetation on the north bank ischaracterised by Carex rostrata and Ranunculus flammula. This stretch forms part of an ASI on the Royal Canal(Westmeath, No. 25) IR r

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Plate 24. 25th June 1990. Section L6 of the Longford Branch of the canal between Churchland's and Farranyoogan Bridges,and looking northwards. The picture shows the channel which is almostdry. It supports Orchids, Sedges, Buttercups and Meadowsweet among others.

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Plate 25. 29th June 1990. Section 110. The picture w is taken from within Ballybrannigan Harbour looking east towards ChaigneauBridge. There is a large diversity of marsh plants in the harbour. a

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Plate 26. 15th August 1990. Section 112. A view eastwards from Archie's Bridge. Boundary, towpath and bank of both sides of the channel are totally overgrown. The channel is also overgrown and no longer holds water.

21 1

Plate 27. 10th August 1990. Section 93 west of Ballynacarrigy and looking westwards. The channel at this point was not in water during 1990 probablyas a result of a breach (Plate 35)in Section 98). The channel was dammed immediately east of Plate 27 (Plate 32) stopping the inflow of water. Glyceria maxima is taking over the channel bed.

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Plate 28. 10th August 1990. Section 90 showing the view west from Balroe Bridge. Ash and sycamore trees have totally taken over both banks. The water level M is very low. Th i - firm= p:-irf: F an. AST on the i, . Roya l 1 zz M 0

Plate 29. 23rd May 1990. Section 117 from Cloonbreany Bridge looking south towards Foygh Bridge. The channel at this point is muddy and soft underfoot with isolated pools of water. A Hazel Wood forms the west boundary. This stretch is part of the ASI on the Royal Canal. (Longford, No. 19). 0

Plate 30. 1st August 1990. Section 37 west of Kilmore Bridge and looking westwards. This stretch was dredged in 1989. The photograph shows part of the silt trap whichsupports reedsand rushes still intact.

Plate 31. 4th May 1990. Section 51 between Darcy's and Ballasport Bridges and lookingwestwards. This section was dredged early1990. There is a very large silt trap, now vegetated,on the bend. It supports a large diversity of plants includingWhite Water-lily (Nymphaea alba). Z4 I Plate 32. 16th May 1990. Lock 36 in Section 93, west of Ballynacargy. The lock is dammed to prevent water flowing out of the Ballynacarrigy stretchas there is a breach further along the canal in Section 97. The wallsof thelock chamber support many species - Phylltis scolopendrium, Taraxacumspp. Festuca rubra and Galium verum. Primula veris (cowslip) is growing in the crevice on top of the wall.Wetland species are growing on the lock sill. I

Plate 33. 11th August 1990. Section 98 which traverses Ballymaglavy Bog. The bridge is known as Bog Bridge supportsIvy Elder and Hawthorn. The waterlevel at this point isvery low due to a breach a few hundred meters eastwards. The bank supports Enilobium hirsutum, Filipendula ulmaria, Centaurea nigra, Sonchus asper and manymore. The towpath supports meadow species and the bog forms the boundary. 2S Plate 34. 21st May 1990. Lock 40 at Mullawornia Bridge in Section 113 and looking eastwards in the direction of Longford and Archie's Bridges. The lock has fallen into disrepair and the channel is completely dry at this point. The walls support calcareous species as does the towpath.

Z6 Plate 35. 12th June 1990. Section 97 showing the canal where it is breached. The bank has been eroded and undercut. The canal at this pointtraverses the Raised Ballymaglavy Bog. Some Nuphar lutea can be seen on the dry section of channel bed. This stretch ofthecanal forms partof an ASIon the canal (Longford No. 19).

Plate 36. 11th August 1990. Section 97 showing a close up picture of the site of the breach (seenin less detail Plate 35).

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I Plate 37. 8th August1990. Section 74 west of Mullingar and looking eastwards. The photograph shows the wide band of emergent vegetation and tallgrasses of the Bank. The channel is dominated by Lemna minor and L.trisulca. This stretch provides a suitable habitat for the many moorhens, dragonflies and damselflies found here. It is also part of an ASI on the Royal Canal.(Westmeath, No. 25).

Plate 38. 2nd August1990. Section67 east of Baltrasna Bridge and looking westward. This stretch was dredged in early 1990 and the spoil moved tothe bank, or, deposited onit. Itis supporting many species and almost covered over. A very small reed fringe exists.

28 I

MAW Plate 39. 31st July 1990. Section 1 at Clonsilla just west of the disused pipeacross the canal. This stretch was dredged in 1989 and the spoildragged up the bank and depositedon the towpath. Many species are growing on the bank includincj Eupatorium cannabinum, Epilobium hirsutum, Cirsiumarvense and Senecio jacobaea. The reed fringe of the south bank remains intact. (ASI, Dublin No.20).

.. At Plate 40. 31st July 1990. Looking eastwards from the disused Railway Bridge of Section 1, just west of Callaghan Bridge atClonsilla. This stretch was dredged in 1989, the spoil draggedup the bank and deposited on the towpath and later levelledwhen it was dry. The pictureshowscompactionand non- vegetation of the towpath. Th- hank is hinh and steep with very 2a 0

Plate 41. lst August 1990. Section 40 eastof Ribbontail Bridge and looking westwards.This stretch

was dredged early 1990 using a hydraulic machine and 0 the spoil deposited on the bank. Revegetation is particularly evident where cracks haveoccurred in the spoil. The spoil or mud dredged from the channelhas solidified upon drying. This makes it difficult for w germinating vegetation toemerge.

Plate 42. 1st August 1990. Section 40. Looking west towards Ribbontail Bridge. This stretch was dredged early 1990 using a hydraulic machineand the spoil deposited on the bank and inthe boundary. The spoil has solidified on bothareas with little revegetation. There is sufficient roomin the boundary to have excavated atrench, deposited the spoil thereand covered it with topsoil. 30 A

NONNIZZMEZINAN Plate 43. 18th May 1990. Section 45 at Blackshade Bridge and looking west. This section was dredged using a hydraulic machine early 1990 and the spoil moved to the bank except in the vicinity of thebridge where it was levelled into the bank. The boundary consists of Hazel Woodland and Whitethorn.

Plate 44. 1st August 1990. Section 45 at Blackshade Bridge and looking west. Vegetation is growing on the spoil especially at the bank base. The revegetation 0 is not as dense where the bank is high andsteep.

1 31 0

Plate 45. 2nd August 1990. Looking westwards in Section 66. This stretch was dredged early 1990and the spoil deposited in the boundary. Mud was brought into the area in order to buildup the bank. The mud has solidified upon drying with very little revegetation occurring. 0

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f't Plate 46. 31st July 1990. Section 14 at the back of Maynooth College and looking eastwards. This section was dredged early on 1989, the spoil depositedon the towpath and levelled off a few months later. The channel at this pointwas practically dry prior to dredging and dominated by thereed Glyceria maxima. I The vegetation of the towpathone year after dredging is still dominated by this reed. Cutting the vegetation in the first growingseason (1989) may have reduced this dominance (ASI, KildareNo. 11). U r

Plate 47. 31stJuly 1990. Section 11 looking eastwards to Deey Bridge. This stretch was dredged early in 1989, the spoil depositedon the towpath and later levelled. Some topsoil from the boundary hedge was mixed in with the spoil. The revegetation of the towpath oneyear after dredging wasabundant and diverse with no evidence ofcompaction. There are some nuisance species such as thistles but the characteristic vegetation is thatof grassland.(ASI)

Plate 48. 31st July 1990.Section 12 immediately west of Pike Bridge and looking westwardstowards Maynooth. This stretch was dredgedearly in1989, the spoil deposited on the bank and levelledoff a few months later. Soil compacti.on of the towpathis evident. The banl; ,t + 11). 33 W

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Plate 49. 31st July 1990. Section 12 immediately west of Pike Bridge and just west of the viewin Plate 48. This stretch was dredged early in 1989, the spoil deposited on the bank and levelled a few months later. Thevegetation is dominatedby thistles (Cirsium vulgare). The seeds of thistles are very easily dispersed by wind and will colonise bare soil quickly. The field to the right of the picture supports many thistles. This vegetation should be cut early in the grcwing season before flowering. (ASI, Kildare No. 11).

Plate 50. 31st July 1990 Section 2 west of Pakenham Bridge and lookingwestwards. Thisstretchwas dredged in 1989, the spoildragged up the bank deposited on and the towpath andlaterlevelledoff. littleCompaction of the soillsp^ ?1 is place with I

Plate 51. 3rd May 1990. Section 59. The photograph is taken from Footy's Bridgeand looking westwards towards Thomastown. The towpath is on the north bank. This stretch was dredged late in1989 and the spoil deposited on the bank. It then flowed down on to the level ground. See Plate 52 to show revegetation.

Plate 52. 8th June 1990. Section 59 (Follow on from Plate 51) Vegetation is coming through the cracks in the solidified spoil. By August (no photograph the vegetation coverwasmuchgreater). This is a calcareous grassland site and Orchis morio was found here in1989 prior to dredging(ConnBreen pers. W comm). It is a protected species. 35 a

Plate 53. 2nd August 1990. Section 66 west of Downs. Bridge. This section was dredged late 1989 and the a spoil deposited in the boundary.The spoil was not covered with topsoil. Vegetation is growing where the spoil was cracked. i

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Plate 54. 1st August 1990, Section 44 eastof Blackshade Bridge andlooking eastwards. This stretch was dredged early 1990 usinga hydraulic machine and the spoil deposited on the bank and boundary. The spoil has solidified(as in Plates 42, 43 and vegetation 53) and is not growing upon it. Thefe was sufficient room to haveburied the spoil and covered it with topsoil. 36 I

Plate55. 16th July 1990. Section D10 west of Granard Bridge in Castleknockand looking eastwards towards Dublin City. This stretch was dredged in mid 1990 and the spoil deposited inthe boundary without much damage to the bank. Bank vegetation was cut back e prior to dredging (see Plate56 for revegation of this section). Some reed fringe on the northbank remains intact.(ASI, Dublin No. 20).

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Plate56. 14th September 1990. Section D10 westof Granard Bridge atCastleknock and lookingwestwards. The spoil deposited inthe Boundary (Plate supporting Glyiceria 55) is now maxima and Polyaonumamphibium. Topsoil was not mixedwith the spoil. Some bank side trees remain (ASI, DublinNo. 20).

3T i Plate 57. 30th May 1990. Section D6 at Lock 8 just west of Reilly's Bridge and looking westwards towards 0 Lock 9. The channel at this point supports a wide bandof emergent vegetation dominated by Glyceria maxima.(ASI, Dublin No. 20).

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Plate 50. 16th July 1990. D6 as for Plate 57). This stretch was dredged mid 1990, the spoil scooped out and dragged up the bank and deposited on the south W bank. (ASI, Dublin No. 20).

38 s

Plate 59. 14th September 1990. D6(as for Plate 57). The bank of the north side of the channeland the deposited spoil of the south banksupport a Glyceria No dominated vegetation two months afterdredging.

CIQ W Plate 60. October1989. Section 68/69looking eastwards between Saunders and Baltrasna Bridges.The photograph was taken prior to dredging by the OPW. The picture shows the canal passing through a limestone cutting. The boundary (to the right of the picture) consists of calcareous embankments. This stretch is grazed.

31 M r

Plate 61. 14th May 1990. Section 68/69 between Saunders and Baltrasna Bridges and looking westwards. This stretch was dredged late 1989 early 1990. The towpath had to be widened to facilitate the machinery being used and part of the calcareous embankment of the boundary was cut away. The photograph also shows scattered scrub of the north bank. (See Plate 60).

Plate 62. 18th July 1990. Section 68/69 between Saunders and Baltrasna Bridgesand looking eastwards. The picture shows the limestone vegetationat the top of the bank, the damaged boundary (still not revegetating (See plate 61), thelimestone embankment of the boundary and the scatteredscrub of the north bank. 40 Y

0+ Plate 63. 16th July 1990. Section D8. Looking westwardson the south sideof thecanal between Ashtown (Lock 10) and Lock 11 prior to dredging which took place August/September 1990. The picture shows a hedgerow supporting a dense growth, a narrow towpath, the bank supporting Iris pseudacorus, Filipendula ulmaria and manymore and the mature Beech trees(Faaus sylvatica)of the north bank. (ASI, Dublin No. 20).

Plate 64. 14th September 1990. Section D8 as for Plate 63 though the picture shows the view eastwards. This photograph was taken 2-6 weeks after dredging. Much of the vegetation of the boundary was cut back and the spoil deposited there. The lush bank vegetation is no longer present and the towpath is considerably wider. Glyceria maxima is growing in the spoil on the boundary. (ASI, Dublin, No. 20). 41 11 M

Plate 65. 23rd July 1990. Section D11. Looking east fromKirkpatrick Bridgeand showingpart of the Limestone cutting (solid limestone rock through which the channel had to be cut). There is dense scrub growth on both banks with a narrow towpath. (ASI, Dublin No. 20). 0

Plate 66. 12th June 1990. Section 92 at Ballynacarrigy Harbour - looking westwards. There is very little emergent vegetation or channel vegetation. This stretch forms part of an ASI on the RoyalCanal (Westmeath., No. 25).

4z Chapter-1.

1.1 oral dengs"URA An ecological survey of the entire length of the RoyalCanal was carried out during 1989 and 1990 in order to incorporatenature conservation into the future management and restoration of the canal by the Office of Public Works. The history of the Royal Canal hasbeen well documented (Delaney and Delaney 1966; Delaney-1986). It was built during the years 1790 to 1830 to linkthe River Liffey in t Dublin to the River Shannon in Co. Longford. The main line.of --the canal is 145km in length with 46 locks. The Longford Branch line is 8.4im with no locks. There is a total of 109 bridges on the canal a including footbridges, railway bridges and road culverts (Fig. 1..1). During the 1950s the canal became disused and was officiallyclosed to navigation in 1961. Over the following decades long stretches, especially in the western part of the canal, became dry.The looks

fell into disrepair and road culverts were built through thebed of _ the canal in a number of places. During all of this time natural vegetation succession was taking place with reduction in water depth, silting of the channel and colonisation of the towpathsby trees and shrubs. As a result the canal now supports a range of sesa-natural habitats and a diversity of wild plants and animals which might not otherwise survive in a heavily managed waterway.

1.2Ca'al restoratios In 1974 the Royal Canal Amenity Group (RCAG) was foundedwith the aim of restoring navigation on the canal from Dublin tothe Shannon. Local branches of the RCAG worked to improve the amenityvalue of the canal in individual towns and villages. With the help of CIS 1 and local authorities, volunteers out hedgerows, cleared towpaths and removed a large awmat of refuse from the channel..Restoration work on a large scale began in 1966 when theOffice of Public Works (OPW) took over management of the canal system and begandredging 1 and rebuilding the eastern section of the Royal Canal. Plans for a based on a the reopening of the entire length of the canal were 1

43 1 management and development survey commissioned by the OPW from Brady, Shipman, Martin (1987). This report recommended that the ' ecology of all the canals should be surveyed including a comprehensive inventory of flora and fauna on the system. Unfortunately, by the time the present study began in August1989 a ' major dredging programme on the eastern section of the RoyalCanal from Clonsilla to Mullingar was already under way and much valuable ' base-line data on the habitats and their associated flora andfauna was lost. '

Management Units As restoration work has taken place unevenly throughout the entire , . length of the canal it was decided for the purposesof this survey ' to subdivide the waterway into three principal management units as f o l lows : Unit I. Recently dredged and navigable channel. t Unit II. Watered channel but not recently dredged. Unit III. De-watered or dry channel. , . The distribution of these units is shown on Figure 1.1and their dimensions are given in Table 1.1. 1 0 Table 1.1Wanagement units used in the eoologioal survey of N the Royal Canal Unit Length Section Area Limits Present t 0 (km) Numbers Status

I 72 1-72 Clonsilla-Mullingar Navigable II a 13 D1-D13 Liffey-Clonsilla Watered , II b 30 73-102 Mullingar-Abbeyahrule Watered III& 31 103-133 Abbeyshrule-Shannon Dry ,

IIIb 8 1.1-1.8 Longford branch Dry

Total 154 Liffey-Shannon

N 45

1 N a W Of tnr oonaenraiien The-Royal CCsael traverses the aidlands of Ireland and thusprovides a a continuous corridor for the dispersal of wetland plants and anim is between the Shannon valley and the east coast. The low t intensity management and virtual absence of boat traffic during the post threw decades has favoured the development of a diversesemi- M nartural flora and fauna on many sections: This is often in contrast to the surrounding countryside, vhioh; is highly modified either by a agriculture or urban development. Thus the canal could be regarded as linear refuge and surviving example of the natural floraand M fauna of the midlands. State ownership offers a uniqum opportunity to incorporate nature conservation into the restoration and 0 maintenance of the canal. Conservation should be seen as a priority policy, since it is upon the ecosystems that the canaldepends for M bank protection and fisheries andas attractive environments for cruising, walking and other le,isure uses (Hhrphy and Eaton 1990). f A number of sections of the canal and bordering` landsare- designated Areas of Scientific Interest (ASI) whichare listed for special protection in the relevant County Development Plans M 1.3 EeoloQlaal s rye' N Objectives

The objectives of the presentsurvey were as follows: M To assess the present value of the canal corridorfor nature E- consersation by documenting its biologicalresources. Ta determine what factors influence the.preseatdistribution and abundance of plant and animal communitieson the canal. To use these findings to drawup detailed recommendations for mansgsmeat of each section of the canal taking nature conservation as one of the main priorities. f Ta prepare a manual of general principles of natureconservation naclpeat to be used in the restoration and subsequent maintenance of the canal. 0

To promote an awareness of the nature conservation valueof the canal corridor. M k6 0 1 a 0 E

0 Timescale and subjects covered 1 This survey was carried out in two phases by thefollowing 0 personnel: Marie Dromey, Brigid Johnston; Philip Buckley and M Richard Nairn. Phase 1:August to December 1989 Peromwel 0 Unit I Habitat survey MD/BJ Survey of late flowering plants MD/BJ 0 Winter bird survey PB Phase 2.April to December 1990 1 0 Units II & III Habitat survey MD/BJ Botanical survey MD/BJ 0 Unit I Survey of early flowering plantsMD/BJ 0 Units I, II, III Breeding bird survey RN Dragonfly survey RN 1 0 Winter bird survey RN 0 The report of Phase 1 was published in two volumes(Dromey, Johnston and Buckley 1990) which is referred to below as RoyalCanal Survey 0 1989 (or R.C.S. 1989). Methods ' The methods of survey are given in detail under eachsection of the ' . report which follows. However, some general terms used throughout the survey are defined here. Four basic structural zones were recognised on either side across the canal corridor. These were ' termed the channel, bank, towpath and boundary. For the

` botanical survey the length of the canal was subdivided into1km , units which are referred to below as sections. In the case of the bird surveys and dragonfly surveys a number of study areaswere , selected as representative of the three management units (see Chapter 4). ,

1 0 0 a a 1 1.4 SttidW Area 0 1

The Royal Canal runs from east to west for 150kmacross the central 1 plain of Ireland linking the River Liffey in Dublin tothe River Shannon in Co. Longford (Figure 1.1). It varies in altitude from 0 E I to 1000 above sea level with the summit level aroundMullingar. From Leixlip to Kilcock the canal follows the valley ofthe Ryewater River, a t.ributory of the Liffey, while from Abbeyshrule to Ballymahon it follows the valley of the River Inny. The surrounding 0 landscape is predominantly flat but there are a number ofprominent r esker ridges in the valley of the River Boyne. 0

1 Geolga and soils The canal passes through the central plain of Ireland whichis M. 1 formed of Lower Carboniferous limestone overlain by fluvic-glacial deposits and limestone tills (Harries Davies and Stephen 1978). The soils therefore tend to be base-rich except in thoseareas where 0 acidic peat has developed over the mineral soils. This has a major influence on the composition of the plant and animals ofthe 0 terrestrial habitats as well as the aquatic oommmities which inhabit water derived mainly from limestone lakes and rivers. The 0 soils of the canal banks are principally brown earths, greybrown podzols and gleys, the latter being susceptible to impeded drainage 0 (Gardiaar and Radford 1980). Complex alluvial sails occur in the rixer valleys. 7he canal passes through some extensive areas of iff 1 peatland in counties Meath, Westmeath and Longford. These include fen peat, &&-for example Ballynabarney Fen, west of the RiverBoyne, and raised-bog such as that at Ballymaglavy Bog, north of Ballymahon. M

Water mality 0 The quality of water in any freshwater system has important M implications for the plant and especially the animal communities which it supports. The main source of water is from Lough Ovel via 0 the feeder which joins the canal in Mnllingar (Figure 1.1).Water 0 41 0 0 quality in the Royal Canal and its feeders and abstractionshas been studied by the Central Fisheries Board and is reported indetail elsewhere (Caffrey 1990). Waterqualityon the canal isgenerally quite good with Molybdate reactive phosporus (MRP) concentrations ' mostly below 0.01 mg/l P. Only one section (Shags Bridge to Lock 17) has MRP concentrations above 0.05 mg/l and this isdue to the Ryevater feeder which is enriched from intensive agricultural ' practices. Nitrate/Nitrite levels show a number of peaks up to 3.5mg/l along the canal length which correspond to areas wherethe ' canal is either level with the surrounding land or isbelow ground level in a cutting. The source of of nitrates/nitrites is probably , due to runoff and the leaching of nitrates from artificial fertilizer applications on surrounding fields (Caffrey 1990). ,

Management regimes

The most significant management practices from the point of viewof nature conservation are dredging, spreading of spoil, herbicide application, grazing and the cutting of trees and shrubs. 1

0 Dredging: Most recent dredging has been concentrated in Unit Iwith ' M the sections involved shown in Table 1.2. Table 1.2. Dredging in Unit I of the Royal Canal up tothe E time of this study. 1 0 0l000tre 1111111111 ,777 sections 1234367890123436789012343678901231567890123456789012353678901Z3M789012 I 1983/86 0 1987 19@8 E 1969 1990 i

49 1 a a M The spoil in most areas was dumped on the towpathalthough in some places a floating dredger was used to transport the spoilaway from 71 the site. The effects of the dredging have been to remove the 1 majority of submerged and emergent plants in the channel andto M supress the growth of bankside and towpath vegetation at leaston 1 one side of the canal. N 1 our,icide .tpp.!icsrizw-Herbicides, mainly diclobenil (Casoron), are applied annually on the watered sections of the canal (UnitsI and 0 I!) for the control of aquatic plants to permit unimpededmovement M of water and boats and easy access for anglers. A survey of the zrand and Royal Canals has demonstrated that this treatment is 0 unnecessarl as environmental conditions in much of the canal system are unfavourable for the use of certain herbicides (Murphy andEaton M 1 1990). It is also suggested that the prolonged reliance on asingle herbicide leads to the channel vegetation becoming dominated by 1 species tolerant of the chemical, or by quickly repaving opportunist species such as filamentous algae. A further problem N associated with the spring application of herbicides is that it causes disturbance to nesting birds during the sensitive period of incubation.

Areas of Scientific Interest 0

A number of areas along the route of the RoyalCanal are listed as Areas of Scientific Interest (ASI) by An Foras Forbartha (Anon, 1981) and by the Wildlife Service (1989). Brief details of these 0 ASIs are given in Table 1.3. 0 0 0 0 N 0 0 1 0 E 1 ?able 1.3. Areas of Scientific Interest on the Royal Canal (after Wildlife Service 1989) 1 0 County Fame Ya Area/ Habitat Rating 1 (ASI no.) Grid ref. Sections Length

Dublin Royal Canal (20) 00738 to D1-D13 00732 1-5 16km Canal Regional ,

Kildare Royal Canal (11) 0000375 7-19 lOkm Canal Regional '

Kildare Louisa Bridge (21) N995368 7 3ha Marsh Local '

Meath Ballynabarney (24) Fen E N687459 43-44 2ha Fen Local

Meath Lerick Bog 0 (32) N6747 45-46 60ha Raised bog Local

Meath Mount Hevey Bog 33 N"348 49 51 190h Raised bog Local

Westmeath Lough OKel (7) N3957 - 950ha Lake National

Westmeath Royal Canal (25) Mullingar to Ballynacarrigy ' N3653 74-92 17km Canal Local

Longford Cloondara Bog ' (6) N0874 132 250ha Raised bog Regional

Longford Royal Canal . (19) N234598, 96-102 N123637, 105-111 N168585 116-122 15km Canal Local

N 51 0 1 0 a 1 CHAPTM 2 HABITATS 2.1 PRODUCTION M

Along the entire length of canal, plantsare found in associations or communities typical ofa particular i 1 habitat. These habitats can be large asare the hedgerow and scrubland along the canalor barely discernible as with a small fenor small area of M nutrient-poor limestone grassland. Most of theplants 1 found in the habitats are influenced by the alkaline conditions of the limestone geology ofthe Central M Plain. 1 0 The purpose of this chapter is to list thevarious habitats found and to discuss the associatedflew 1 found within them. The habitats of each canal zone are discussed. There are four canal zones within the M canal corridor easily distinguished when lookingat a cross section of canal corridor- boundary, towpath, 1 bank and channel. Locks, bridges and harbours form M another habitat - namely that of Stonework. M In discussing the habitats it must be rememberedthat the associated communitiesare not steadfast and stable. Instead one community of organisms givesway M to another in a series from coloniser to climax.This is known as natural succession. To maintain the diversity of habitats encountered alongthe canal - all the stages in the succession froma coloniser to climax - it is important that the climaxstage not be reached everywhere and other stages andassociated communities choked out. E 2.2 HABITATS OF THE BOUNDARY E The boundary is defined as the edge ofcanal property and the area between it and the towpath. This area 0 generally comprises of grasslandandherbaceous species usually bordered bya hedgerow, scrubland, fence etc. and can vary in widthfrom 1-7 metres. 0 When a hedgerow/woodland is not cutback and managed it can completely take over this boundaryverge to the 1 detriment of the grassland and herbaceousspecies 0 (Plates 26 and 28). Where the boundary verge is not invaded, a pattern of definite layeringconsisting of 1 a) a carpet layer comprising of low grasses. M b) a field layer comprising of herbaceous M 1 flowering plants and tallergrasses (Plate 4). N 1 C) small shrubs and bushes can be seen. Along other sections of theboundary of N 1 the canal, fens, bogs (Plates5 and 6), drains and N 1 5z streams (Plate 3) can be seen. 0 2.2.1. Hedgerow The hedgerow habitat is dominant along both sides of N the canal.They are man-made and therefore artificial habitats. They provide a partial substitute for lost woodlands. Theyare essentially woodlandedges 1 without the woods. Species that preferred wood edge conditions have been able to dominate hedges. In addition hedgerows form a border between ecosystems 1 0 and can often share much of the flora and faunaof these systems.

0 Over the years, planted Hawthorn (Cratae uso o a) hedges have been joined by other shrubs such as Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Alder (Alnus alutinosa) 0 and Dog rose (Rosa caning. agg.) and on the calcareous 1 soils by several of the limeloving shrubs such as Privet, (Ligustrum vulgare), Spindle (Euonvmus M europaeus) and Guelder rose (Viburnum ooulus). Where tree saplings have been allowed to grow up in the shelter of the hedge, Oak (Ouercus agg.), Ash 0 (Fraxinus excelsior), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and Beech (Fagus svlvatica) appear at intervals. The 1 limeloving shrubs do not grow along the canal where 0 heavy grazing is carried out. These are very weak shrubs and not able to withstand this pressure unless 1 protectedby otherstrongershrubsaround them. (Agate and Brooks, 1988).

In some ways, it is not the shrubs, but theclimbing 0 plants which really characterise hedges.They tend to choke out shrubs but they thrive on sunlight, support for their weak stems and on occassional cutting back 1 0 if the hedge is not to be weighed down withthem. Some such climbing speciesofthe hedgeinclude Calvsteaia spp. Rubus spp, Rosa spp, Clematis vitalba, 1 0 Hedera helix, Lonicera spp, Solancumdulcamara, Lathyrus pratensis, Viccia spp and Galium aDarine. 0 Advantages of Hedges a) They provide a valuable habitat for flowers, birds, 0 insects and other wildlife.

b) They are a visual amenity, enhancing and M diversifying the landscape. 1 c) They provide a windbreak for canal boaters and 0 crops and shelter for stock,wild animals and walkers. 1

a d) They provide fruit and other useful products. e) They are not expensive to maintain. 0 53 1 0 M M

2.2.2. woodland M There are small areas of woodland along the Royal Canal (Fig 2.1). In some places the neglected hedgerow M has grown into a habitat similar to a woodland or woodland margin, although lack of space has prevented the development of a true woodland habitat. M Woodland trees form a continuous canopy of foliage under which there is an understorey of small trees or M large shrubs such asIlex__ aquilifolium or Coo ylus avellana.Lower, still is the herb layer, composed of herbaceous flowering plants and ferns such as P ula 0 Vulgaris, Viola spp., and Hvacinthoides non-scriDtus. These flowers concentrate their growth in spring and early summer beforethe treeleaveshave fully N expanded and blocked out the light.A fourth layer - the moss layer - may form a carpet over thewoodland floor. The growth of the mosses is helped by the fact M that the humidity is high and constant and direct exposure to the sun is prevented. M Woodlands found along the canal are very few and shown on the maps in Part 2 and on Fig 2.1. Four types of woodland were found along the canal. 0 - Oak - Birch on dried cut over peat - Hazel on limestone (Plate 43) 0 - Mixed Deciduous (Plate 22) Plants found in the understorey of all these woodlands are listed in Appendix 1. This list of plants can also be found in expanded hedgerows where there is a plenty of shade. The climbing plants of the woodland are similar to those of the hedgerow of 2.2.1.. The N advantages of woodlands for Plants, animals and people are similar to those of the hedgerow. M 2.2.3. Associated habitat of Hedge and Woodland Few hedges do not have a bank or strip ofgrassland on 0 which wild flowers can grow and most hedgesalong the Royal Canal have quite broad verges which constitute one of the principal refuges for wild flowers, (Plates 0 3 and 4). The boundary verge was often covered with Primula veris (Cowslip) early in theyear. From May onwards the white umbellifers suchas Anthriscus 0 sylvestris and Heracleum snhondyliumappear. Other species are listed in Appendix 1. a 2.2.4. scrubland

This is defined as poor quality woodland whichhas a 0 poor stocking of marketable tree species, other than for firewood. Scrub can include recent semi-natural woods which have grown up on previously clearedland, M or previously managed woods where management has been 0 54 M discontinued.Examples can include woods where fences are dilapidated and animals are allowed uncontrolled access tograzeandbrowseand where there is , consequently no regeneration. Scrub that has grown on previously cleared land is only temporary and if left will usually succeed to woodland, (Plates 29 and 11). ' on somesites scrubcanbethenatural climax vegetation, due to limiting factors of site or soil. The species of scrubland are the many shrubs of the ' hedgerow now growing less densely and the more light- demanding woodland herbs associated with the hedge or woodland edge (Section 2.2.3.). Scrub along the Royal Canal, especially whenclosetoriversprovides shelter and refuge for otters which may live in a river but use the canal for feeding.

0 Fens 5

The fens along the Royal Canal are very small andfew in number (Fig 2.2). Fen is a layer of peat fed with t alkaline ground water. It lacks the acidity of bogs and because of this the vegetation is typically more like that of a marsh often containing a great many diverse communities wherever there are small variations in relative soil acidity or the height of 0 the water table.Here rare plants or plants with restricted ranges flourish. A list of plants of the fens along the canal is given in Appendix 1. Fens if left unmanaged gradually succeed to mixed carr which is relatively dry and contains a variety of shrubs and trees. 2.2.6. Carr t

Carr is present along few sections of the canal. Carr can be mixed or dominated by one tree type suchas ' Alnus glutinosa. It can be accompanied by Beta and alix spp. The ground flora is more related to marshes than to woodlands and comprisesofsuch ' species as Filipendula ulmaria, Euilobium hirsutum and Agrimonia euoatoria, many tussock forming sedges and many of the fen plants. M M M law There are many stretches of the Royal Canal bordered by bogs (Fig 2.2) and Plates 5 and 6. Theseraised bogs formed when a fen peat layer became so thickthat the roots of plants growing on the surface were no longer in contact with the calcium - rich ground water. Plants which were able to grow in the mineral- poor habitat on the surface of this peat invaded. Such a species is Sphagnum. It tends to decompose slowly and to release acids during decomposition. The 1 typical Sphagnum bog is covered almost completely with bog-moss of several species, through which projects a stunted growth of various grassy and sedgy plants,

1 M 5$ 1 M 0 Calluna vulcari_s,Erica tatralix, Mvrica tale and Andromeda Dolifolia. Other bog species are listed in Appendix 1. 0 1 When the Sphagnum bog becomes degraded dueto climatic effects or human interference, mixedmoor results. M Here the moss carpet is absent and Eriophorum'spp.are prominent. M 2.2.8. Drains or Ditches 1 The drains and ditches along the Royal Canal (Fig2.2) M are,like the canal itself, slow moving andoften 1 stagnant with muddy bottoms.. Because so much dead matter has fallen to the bottom, these habitatsare N also nutrient-rich. The vegetation of thesehabitats, as in the canal itself occurs in bands and isdue to 1 plants of differing growth - formadapting to 0 different water depths. Emergent plants such as reeds and rushes occur at the edge. These are plants which 1 can tolerate water-logged soil but must have their N leaves in the air. In deeper water plants with floating leaves such as water-liliescan be found. In the next zone completely submerged plantsfor example, N 1 pondweeds, (Potamoceton spp.) and Milfoils (Mvriophyllum spp.) can be found. In addition to plants rooted in sediment, unattached plantssuch as 0 1 Duckweeds(Lemna.spp.) which float on the surface, also occur. The drains and ditches do not supportas many submerged species as does the canal buton the 0 1 other hand they comprisemany additional species characteristic of a marshy habitat. Species found in the different vegetation bands of thedrains/ditches s 1 are given in Appendix 1. 2.2.9. Wtrient-poor Limestone Grassl na 0 1 As the underlying parent material foundalong the route of the Royal Canal is limestone, thereare many N examples of limestone grassland tobe seen. In 1 general it is anutrient-poor habitat. It is especially evident where little soilhas built up on the gravel ly-l imestone,(Plate 2). Such species as Knautia arvensis, Pimpinella saxifraca, Primulaveris, Sancuisorba minor and is pvram;dalisare good 0 indicators of soil rich in limeand are quite common along the canal. (Fig2.1shows the limestone grasslands). Other species such as * Orhis morio, a ODhrvs apifera, Carlin& vulcaris, and Antennaria also lime-loving are confined to one or two sections'ections along the canal (Tables 3.5and 3.9)0 A list of the species foundon a limestone grassland are given in Appendix 1. * protected species. 0 1

0 0 2.3 TOWPATH HABITATS 1 E The towpath was formerly used by the horses who pulled the barges along the canal. Since the western end of the canal was dammed in 1961 much of the towpaththere 1 0 is covered inscrub, (Plate.- 11). Along the remainder of the canal the towpath, usually not more than a car width wide, can consist of a tarredtrack, 1 E a road, or a grassy track. The grassy track may be grazed (Plates 9, 10 and 13), or may comprise oftall meadow grassland where it is not used too frequently E (Plates 7 and 8). Around the urban centres the towpath is well used and often consists of trample E resistant species. 2.3.1. Well Used Grass Track Along the towpath there are many sections which are ' frequently used.At these places the towpath may pass by a diversity of habitats of the boundary and bank. ' However, thespeciesremainingon the well used towpath will be trample resistant. A list of these species is given in Appendix 1.Plants on the used towpath are adapted to resist the trampling effect by ' having a basal rosette of leaves, being tufted, mat . forming and reproducing by seed or stolon. Trampling combines vertical pressure with a twisting , . action as the ball of the foot leaves the ground. Mild trampling has little effect but as it becomes , more intenseit causes damage to the leaves and eventually may uproot or kill plants. The centre of a well used towpath is therefore bare, but beside it there is a zonation of plants progressively less able ' to withstand trampling. The most resistant, nearest the middle, are Plantaao major and Poa annua followed by Poa oratensis, Lolium perenne and Trifolium reoens. '

2.3.2. Meadow Meadow habitat produces fine floral displays E especially if it has not been ploughed or treated with chemicals for many years. The principal difference between meadow and limestone grassland is that the vegetation is more dense in the meadow than on the nutrient-poor soil (Plates 17 and ' 23). At its peak in late May and early June these stretches are characterised by the yellow of . Ranunculus acris,a little later by the red $uex acetosa and a little later by the white of Leucanthemum vulaare. 1 0

59 E 0 1 2.4 BANK HABITATS

The canal bank varies in all respects- gradient, 0 1 height, width, whether managed or unmanaged- along its length. Consequently, there is a widerange of habitats to be found there. Emergent vegetation can 11 1 be found at the base of those banks withgentle gradients (Plates 13-16), so*etimesa berm exists at the edge of the canal upon which a marshy habitatcan be found (Plate 17). Higherup the bank, a 1 transitional habitat between emergents of the bank base and the plants of the drier habitats at thetop of the bank exists (Plate 15).This is referred to in 1 the present survey as the Mid Bank Transitional Habitat. At the top of a high wide bank small 0 grassland habitats such as nutrient-poor limestone grassland and meadow can be found (Plates 14 and18). 1 In other sections of similar topographical structural 0 characteristics scrub/woodland and hedge/hedge-edge habitats are to be found (Plates 26 and 28). Most of 1 these habitats are also to be found in the boundary 0 zone and have already been discussed in Section 2.2. 1 2.4.1. Mid Bank Transitional Habitat 0 This bank habitatis found where conditions are neither too dry nor too wet. It is not present on all 1 banks because in some cases the banksare too steep and the soil too dry. Where it does exist it is characterised by tall herbs with a great displayof 1 colour. Such species include Bpi opium hirsutum, Euuatorium cannabinu', Filicendula ulmaria, Valeriana officinalis, Lvthrum salicaria and Irisuseudacorus. 0 1 2.5 CHANNEL HABITATS 0 The canal itself is similar in structure to thedrains 1 and ditches already described in Section2.2.10. Along Unit I of the canal the vegetational bandsare 0 clearly defined but not very diverse. In Unit II a 1 diverse emergent band is very much in evidence(Plates 14, 22 and 23)with many examples of marsh type 0 habitats in those sections of canal whichsupport 1 terrestrial habitats (Plate 7). In Unit III the submerged and floating leaved plant bandsare almost 0 absent and replaced again by dry terrestrialand 1 marshy habitats (Plates 24, 25 and 29). s Silt traps along the channelwere a feature of the canal when it was prosperous. They aredeep I excavations in the bed of the channel andusually 0 found on a bend. The bend was widened and the bottom of it deepened. The purpose of these traps was to enable silt particles travelling in the water,as a E result of the disturbance caused by the barges,to fall to the bottom of the trap. In this way, an accumulation of silt in the navigable channelwas 1 prevented. When the canal was closed to navigation 0 I 60 0 the full silt traps provided an ideal habitat for those species which enjoy shallow, wet nutrient-rich conditions. The silt traps of Unit II and III no longer provide such a habitat. The habitats only 1 exist along Unit I.Some were dredged during 1989 and the accumulated silt removed and some still remain (Plates 30 and 31).

2.6 STONEWORK STRUCTURED HABITATS These are to be found in the many locks, bridgesand harbours along the Royal Canal.These provide typical wall habitats. However, derelict locks, harbours and bridgeswillalsosupport hedgerowand woodland 1 species, emergents and plants of the mid-bank transitionalhabitat. The crevicesbetweenthe limestone blocks used in the construction of lock chambers and harbours support plants characteristic of 1 nutrient-poor limestone soils (Plates 32-34). All these with the exception of the wall habitat have been discussed. 1 Walls are extremely well drained habitats. Their particular aspect as much as their general situation 1 determines just how dry they become. The south face of a wall may present virtual desert conditions in summer, whilethe north face remains coal and relatively moist. Thus south-facing walls support 1 true dry plants such as Cvmbalaria muralis, while 0 north-facing walls are colonised by species more normally associated with the surrounding area. 1

Walls heat up very much on a hot summer's dayand then provide a basking place for such butterflies as the 1 Peacock, Small Tortoise-shell and Red Admiral. When the wall is so neglected that bricks or stones start to fall out of it,the resultant cavities provide nesting places for such birds as the Robin and Wren 1 and the Grey Wagtail in the damaged lock chamber. A very characteristic group of mosses and lichens grow 1 on walls or old stonework but these have not been surveyed along the canal. Typical wall plants found along the stonework ofthecanalare listedin 1 Appendix 1.

cZ 1 A 0

2.7 AMOIRRY K

There is quite a large diversity of habitatto be found along the canal corridor andsome of these such a as drains and ditches consist in turn of many further separate vegetational bands. 0 The hedgerow/scrub/woodland habitat is dominantalong the canal corridor and as such would not belost to the canal ecosystem if sections of itwere to be 0 removed during the restorationprocess of parts of Units II and III. Likewise,if scrub/hedgerow is removed from the towpath and bankno great loss of N habitat will be incurred.

Most of the habitats which exist atpresent along the channel of Units II and III suchas the marsh and berm will be lost during reconstructionof these Units. However, provision can be made toencourage these 0 habitats to develop- even if on a lesser scale than exists at present- at the channel edge. Emergent vegetation and other typical bank vegetationpresently along parts of Unit II do notappear in the drier dewatered channel sections. It is essential that the character of these habitats be preservedalong Unit II 0 and provision be made for their development.

Fens, nutrient-poor limestone grasslands,meadows, N bogs and carr occur very infrequentlyalong the canal. For this reason, extra care isnecessary to ensure they are notdamaged andtheircharacteristics 0 altered either by machinery, nutrient-richspoil or, should the possibility occur, reseeding. The infrequency of occurrency andthe small area of these 0 habitats should act in their favourin that the areas to be safeguarded are small. They are all drawn on the relevant maps in Part 2 andrecommendations for 0 their continuance outlined. 0 0 0

61 S N

1 CHAPTER 3 FLORA OF THE ROYAL CANAL

3.1 INTRODUCTION 0 The flora of the Royal Canal was surveyed in detail throughout 1990. Unit I of the canal was surveyed in 1989 (R.C.S., 1989). This stretch of canal was re- N opened to boat traffic and the towpaths cleared by early 1990. The revegetation of dredging spoil at N selected sites was recorded in this stretch. The purposes of the study of the flora was to 0 (a) carry out a baseline survey of the vascular plants which exist in the canal corridor. 1 N (b) to map plant associations typical of all habitats within the canal corridor and to determine the factors which contribute to the characteristic N flora.

(c) to assess the importance of these habitats along E the canal corridor itself and in relation to their occurrence elsewhere.

(d) to bring an awareness of the importance of these habitats to planners and engineers.

N (e) to compare the effects on theflora of the management strategies in operation along the N canal. (f) to provide information on the revegetation of 0 canal dredging spoil after one year.

(g) to devise suitable management options to maintain N floristic and habitat diversity. 3.2 METHODOLOGY 0 The canal was divided into sections each a kilometre long. There are a total of 154 sections (Fig 2. 1). 0 Within each section excluding section 1 at Spencer 1 Dock the presence of plant species in the boundary, towpath, bank and channel were noted on a separate N recording card. This follows the method devised by the British Waterways Board (B.W.B.) (Tandy, 1989). 1 Plants of the locks and bridges were also recorded. 0 The revegetation of dredging spoil was surveyed at 13 sites in Unit I of the canal. The presence of species 1 within the affected zone in each section was recorded as above. 1 Maps of each individual kilometre, based on the scale 0 1:2500, were drawn and expanded laterally as in the B.W.B. survey (Briggs, pers. comm.). The maps were 1 0 43 N 1

1 used in the field to record ecological information such as vegetation structure as well as such features as roads, locks, bridges, the width and height of the 0 1 zones and other relevant data.The maps are contained in Part 2.All qualitative surveying was carriedout on the original towpath side of the canal. 0 1 3.3 RIM= 0 A total of 379 and 265 species was recorded in1990 and 1989 throughout the system giving a total of398 altogether.Table 3.1 gives a breakdown of the number 0 of species to each zone. TABLE 3.1 M 1 0 Numbers of species recorded in eachzone of the 3 Units along the canal. Numbers of species in 1 revegetated zones also shown. 0

Year 1989 1990 1990* M canal unit I II and III I

Boundary 193 331 40 Towpath 201 196 68 Bank 7 184 273 126 Channel 35 155 NS 0 Locks and Bridges 34 129 NS TOTAL 265 379 128 0

NS - Not surveyed 0 I * = survey of revegetated dredged areas. The diversity (species richness) of plantsin each 0 zone is given in Table 3.2.The division of the canal corridor into the three separatemanagement units (See Chapter 1) is further supported by floristicdata. 0

The occurrence (% occurrence) of species withineach zone along the canal waa calculated (Appendix 2). It ispossibleto determinea zonal preference (% preference) of each species asa proportion of the total population of three zones (boundary,towpath and a bank) in each section. The zonal preference for each species is also given in Appendix2. M

0 1 44 1 0 s 0 TheTABLE Diversity 3.2 of Species found along each zone and on the stone structures of each Km Section along the threeSurveyed Units late in 1989. I of the Royal Canal. Surveyed throughout 1990. II Surveyed throughout 1990. III KM 321 2034Bd.19 Tp. Bk. Ch. St. 6524 253731 11 77 17 3 D2KMD1 26NRBd. Tp. Bk. Ch. St. NANR 49NR NR12 23NR 104103 KM 5660Bd. Tp. Bk. Ch. St. 34NA 6461 1519 NA 7 7546 152517 495648 402432 181514 NANA 953 D6D5D4D3 51538661 NANA 41495035 5759 12251825 108107106105 71664463 37623860 48766853 36351816 NA10 51 u+ 10 98 1815 NR875875 NR456746 1320 79 NA15 D10 D9D8D7 41547154 NA 58546253 9869 NA212316 112111110109 595783 4525.39 55 7868 445224 NA 61 13it1412 25121719 4053NR 3036NR 1512 28 NA1214 3 D13D12Dll 72 26858360 NANA 478279 25 965 NA 795 116115114113 5137385365 7561314947 7478898489 3329193833 NA2014 18 1918171615 21NR1614 8 NR27343816 NR323118 NR10 84 NA13 7 76757473 70419527 NA 61715834 121018 9 NA17 2 120119118117 85706967 75696753 73766279 23285238 NA1011 23222120 35271912 43635954 43282634 14131511 NA1621 4 8180797877 8976936494 453435NA 7871836670 221612 9 NA 5.82 124123122121 50747579 27NA 60726057 27251923 101824 8 27262524 25151421 52316772 53342328 12 79 NANA 85848382 63806761 34374341 65837959 3923191724 '31 20NA 3 129128127126125 3625353837 4542345552 5045515862 3647433619 NA14it23 7 SectionTheTABLE Diversity 3.2 along cont. theof Speciesthree Units found of the Royalalong Canal. each zone and on the stone-structures of each Km Surveyed late . . in 1989. . 28KM 20Bd 46Tp 48Bk I . Ch 8 . St . KMSurveyed throu 61Bd. Tp. Bk. Ch. St. g ho u t 1990 KMSurveyed throughout 1990. Bd. Tp. Bk. Ch. St. III 32303129 23050 7 433410 0 49413055 11 965 NA 05 9089888786 48606566 NA34414443 4556656960 2137393525 202524NA14 133132131130 52345053 45305045 57506348 37432238 NA1814 373353433 6 4935232819 374425 0 42373440 1213 9 NA 94939291 54506455 575645NA 74686854 30171218 NA212223 L1 29 35 65 '41 3 41403938 20405637 4933234110 3348414256 13 886 NA 429 9997989695 8875716493 4448534053 4791726980 1314341016 NA12NA19 8 L5L4L3L2 47533714 263551 64575260 26221624 10 367 4342 5424 2039 4237 11 8 NANA 101100 43 42 64 6 30 L7L6 5659 4931 5365 '18 . 12 NRNR . 4544 a 3434 3445 2948 1214 NA11 0 102 6959 4651 7674 22 7 NA16 L8 63 NA 58 r 28 NA 0 TABLE 3.2 cont. a 0 . m 0 0 0 m TheSection Diversity along of the S three Units pec i es found along each zone and of the Royal Canal. on the stone structures of each Km KMSurveyed late Bd. Tp. Bk.in I 1989. Ch. St. KMSurveyed throu Bd. Tp. Bk. Ch. St. II g h ou t 199 0. KMSurveyed throughout 1990. Bd. Tp. Bk. Ch. St. III 48494746 40395243 432831 6 45423841 121314 NA 77 o'W 53525150 63605649 10272427 35445848 11161510 NANA 57565554 46341735 48401411 20373432 2015 58 NA12 56 61605958 39522922 263354 0 25464012 11 598 NA1618 1 64656362 22151221 38462764 20303541 4239 NA 08 69686766 087 44343949 46573230 1312 9 NA 3 NR denotes not recorded;727170 1410 9 163444 295052 1116 9 NANA 05 Bd. - Bo arY P. - ow NA - not applicable. - See ucs . m E i 3.3.1 Flora of the Boundary N A total of 331 species was recorded in the boundary zoneof UnitsII and IIIof the canalin 1990 (Appendix 3b)and 193in Unit I in 1989 (R.C.S., 0 1989), (Appendix 3a). The low number of species at Unit I of the canal can be accounted for bythe following: M

1 (a) the boundary as defined along this Unit (R.C.S., 1989) was confined to the boundary edge and did not include boundary verge and herbaceous grassland plants between it and the towpath.These are included as part of the boundary in the present survey and contribute to the greater diversity.

(b) the timing of the survey late in the growingseasons when many species were no longer flowering and could not be recorded. For these reasons the diversity in the boundary of Unit I of the canal is not compared with thediversity of Units II and III. Diversity Table 3.3 shows the 16 sections at Units II andIII with the highest and lowest species diversities.

The greatest diversity of Units II and IIIoccurs at these sections which support many habitats (Table 3.4), (Plates 1,2,3,21 and 22). The remaining sections with high species diversity along Units II and III of the canal contain wide margins between the towpath and boundary edge. In these areas an additional grassland flora adds to the diversity at the zone, (Plate 4).

The greatest diversity along Unit I of the canal also occurred at those sections which supported additional habitats to those of woodland and hedgerow (R.C.S., 1989). The lowest diversity along Units II and III of the canal occurs in those sections where encroachment by scrub takes place and also in the Urban sections where thecanalboundary property is oftenshared by Industrial or Community interests and consists ofa high wall or a fence,(Plates 16,19 and 20). The lowest diversity along Unit I occurs wherethe boundary edge was damaged during dredging operations and where the boundary edge was not easily defined. 1

68 0 1 m TABLE 3.,j 1 m Sections with the highest and lowest diversities along Units II and III of the canal in theBoundary, m Towpath anc Bank Zones, ( 82, 56 and82 sections respectively. m (High diversities given in descending order and low diversities in ascending order). m 1 ZONE BOUNDARY TOWPATH BANK 0 1 Sect. No. Div. Sect. No. Div. Sect. No.Div. 75 95 120 75 99 91 a 77 94 116 75 122 89 79 93 119 69 114 89 96 93 118 67 113 84 0 81 89 107 62 79 83 99 88 115 61 84 83 D4 86 105 60 D13 82 0 120 85 94 57 95 80 1 D13 85 93 56 82 79 m D12 83 127 55 117 79 109 83 96 53 D11 79 1 84 80 97 53 D12 79 121 79 117 53 81 78 0 80 76 110 78 98 75 115 78 m 122 75 102 76 m LOW DIVERSITY L3 14 111 25 73 34 128 25 L5 26 D3 35 a D2 26 124 27 D6 41 72 26 114 31 89 45 L1 29 L7 31 128 45 0 73 29 80 34 72 45 132 34 89 34 97 47 127 35 104 34 106 48 0 129 36 128 34 130 48 115 37 79 35 D2 49 125 37 L1 35 D4 50 m L2 37 L3 35 129 50 114 38 L4 35 132 50 126 38 D5 50 0 74 41 127 51 1 D10 41 0 L3 52 Div - diversity i.e. no. of species 1 0 1 m 69 1

JL D W Table 3.4

Habitats which add to the. diversity of species in the Boundary zone of the Royal Canal a

HABITAT SECT.NO. DIV. HABITAT SECT.NO. DIV. 0

FEN 75 95 CALCAREOUS 79 93 a GRASSLAND 77 94 81 89 81 89 D4 86 109 83 i 120 85 ------DRAINS AND 96 93 D13 85 a STREAMS 84 80 D12 83 ------WOODLAND 79 93 109 83 0 0 T&SLE 3.7 0 Rare species of the canal towpath showing (a) a highzonal preference (t) for the towpath zone (b) occurrence (t) inthe towpath and (c) refers to the number of sections atwhich the E species occurs along Units II and III of the RoyalCanal.

UNIT II III NO. OF SECTIONS 22 34

a b c a b c SPECIES 1lnscamotis vvramidalis * 12 4 Carom carvonhvllea 4 1 - 6 2 E rn% t lorhiza fuchsii 9 2 i Geranium molls * 100 6 2 Gvanadania conopsea 4 1 - 9 3 !lieracium oilosella 9 2 - 3 1 Xnautia arvensis 4 1 - 9 3 Leontodon i 100 6 2 L. hisoidus i - 12 4 i Linum cathartic= is 4 i myosotis arvera

Rare Species M Table 3.5 (at the end of the chapter) lists themany species of the three canal units which show a high zonal preference but low % occurrence in the boundary M zone. This table also lists other species which occur at very few sites but do not indicate a highzonal preference for the boundary. This latter group of 1 M plants occur particularly in Units II and III. They do not show a high zonal preference for the boundary because they also occur where scrub and woodland have 1 0 encroached on to the towpath and bank zones. All the plants listed in Table 3.5 are associated with small habitats found in the boundary zone and are rare M within the zone. Unit II supports many more of these rare species of the other two units. The boundary along this Unit , supports many small habitats. These habitats have already been mentioned in Chapter 2 and the associated ' species lists given in Appendix I.The boundary along Unit III of the canal does not support as manyof the rarer species of the canal corridor. Plant ' associations typical of a habitatarenotwell represented because many of the species and habitats have been choked out by encroaching scrub and woodland and by the species such as Rubus fruticosus agg.. which are associatedwith theearly stages ofplant succession. The boundary along Unit I supports some rare species ' typical of woodland understorey and of bogs. Both these habitats and others which may not have been ' recorded due to limitations imposed by time are rare along Unit I of the canal. Rarespecies and associated habitats and section locations along the 3 canalunits are also givenin Table 3.5. Some sections are continually being listed as supporting more than one habitat where a rare species occurs, e.g. Sections 109,117 and 120. ' Species not found

Table 3.5, (at the end of the chapter) also highlights M those rare species not found in the boundary zone of each canal unit. Those listed in Unit I will not be discussed as they may have flowered before the survey s took place. 14 and 44 rare species respectively were not found in the boundary zones of Units II andIII. Those not found along Unit II include woodland species 0 such as Ajuga reptans, Euonvmus europaeus, Lvsimachia t nemorum, Oxalis acetesolla and Viburnum opulus whilst those not found in Unit III are associated with the 0 habitats which have been lost to encroachment such as marshes, drains, calcareous grasslands and fens. 1 a M 7Z M 1 3.3.2. Flora of the Towpath 196 species were recorded in the towpath zone in 1990 19 (Appendix 4b) and 201 in the survey of unit Iin 1989 (R.C.S., 1989), (Appendix 4a). The towpath zones of both surveys are not comparable as they were defined a differently. The towpath extended to the boundary edge during the survey in 1989 and included a variety of habitats more typically part of the boundaryverge. a In the survey of 1990, the towpath is confined tothe path or track width which is easily defined in the field. Where the towpath is a surfaced track oY roadway it has not been surveyed in the survey of 1990. Thereare 72, 22 and34 towpath zones respectively in Units I. II and III of the canal. M Diversity a Table 3.3 shows the 13 sites with the highestand lowest diversities in the towpath zones of UnitsII and III. The three sections with the greatest a diversities contain harbours, locks, and pass by nutrient-poor grassland and woodland. At sections118 and 97 the acid condition of the bog in theboundary influences the otherwise alkaline condition ofthe towpath and adds to the species diversity, (Plate 6). The towpath in sections 105, 107, 115 and 117passes a through ungrazed nutrient-poor grassland which is interspersed with scrub. a TABLE 3.6 a Species with the highest occurrence (t) in theTowpath of Units II and III of the Royal Canal.

UNIT II III NUMBER OF SECTIONS 22 34

Anthoxanthum odoratum 100 73 a Cynosurus cristatus 95 100 Festuca rubra 100 82 Dactvlis alomerata 95 91 Plantavo lanceolata 95 82 Trifolium Dratense 95 88 T. reDens 95 79 Achillea millefolium 91 71 Bellis Derennis 91 Centaurea nicra 91 76 a I&tus corniculatus 91 Ranunculus bulbosus 91 Holcus lanatus 86 73 a Odontites verna 86 Poa annua 86 Phleum pratense * 82 a 1 Potentilla anserina * 76 Galium verum * 73 Hypocharis radicata * 73 a Prunus spinosa * 71 * denotes that the % occurrence of the species inthat E canal unit is not among the first 15 highest.

:13 a M 1 The remaining sections supporting a high diversity are N in unit II and lightly grazed (Plates 6 and 11). Sections with the lowest diversities are to be found 1 M where some of the towpath becomes a road - sections 111 and 124; where it is difficult to progress along the towpath because of scrub encroachment asat 1 M sections L5, 114, 104, 128 and L1; and where the towpath is used for vehicular access to fields as in 0 sections 80, 79, L3 and L4. Sites with the greatest diversity in Unit I along the canal include those supporting many habitats 0 especially a disturbed habitat. Where few species were recorded in this zone in 1989 (R.C.S., 1989), it was because the section had been dredged or levelled a immediately prior to the survey or because the towpath 1 for the most part, consisted of a road. 0 Frecuencv of Occurrence A comparison of the15 species with the highest a occurrence figures in the towpaths zones of Units II and III (Table3.6) reveals that typical towpath species such as Bellis Rerennis, Odontites verna and M Poa annua do not occur in many sites west ofDraper's Bridge (Unit III). Instead species such as Phleum 2ratense,Potentilla anserina and Prunus soinosa take their place. 1 0 Rare species Rare species, of the towpath zone of Units II andIII defined as those with a high Zonal preference (% 0 preference) but low % occurrence, and also those which occur at very few sites but do not show ahigh zonal preference, are listed in Table 3.7. The species 0 listed are associated with a nutrient-poor grassland and are rare in both Units. M 3.3.3 Flora of the Bank A total of 278 species was recorded in Units IIand X III in 1990 (Appendix 5b), and 184 in Unit Iin 1989 1 (R.C.S., 1989) (Appendix 5a). Table 3.3 shows the 16 sites of Units II and III with the highest andlowest M diversities in this zone. A comparison is not made with the species diversity of Unit I as this stretch was surveyed late in the year when fewer plants were a to be seen. Diversity

The greatest diversity along Units II and III occurs where the bank is gradual in the height range 0.5m- M 2.Om and supports some scrubland, some nutrient-poor grassland where there is no poaching by cattle. Such 0 73 1 M M 0 sections include 112, 114, 113 and 110 of UnitIII. Many other sections with a high species diversity brought about by similar conditions exist inUnit III. N 1 The high diversity at the sections listed fromUnit II of the canal were brought about because theytoo have gentlegradientsandmany' supportnutrientpoor 0 grassland especially at the top of the bank (Plates14 and 23). Sections D11 - D13 have a high diversity although the banks are high and steep. The banks are M also terraced and in these circumstances species gain 1 a foothold and add to the diversity (Plate 21). a The greatest diversity in Unit I of the canalcan be found in sections 7 -9,27,29,32,39,40, 48, 51, 57, 59 and 68 - 71. There is no correlation withany one habitat type or influencing factor. Sections 68 and 69 with a relatively high diversityof 57 and 46 species respectively occur in the limestonecutting east of Mullingar on a nutrient-poor but speciesrich limestone soil, (Plate 62).

The lowest diversity along Units II andIII of the canal occurred in the urbanareas of Mullingar and Dublin where low steep banks,verge trimming, mowing a and pressure from user numbersensure that only the resistant and competitive species survive(Plates 15, and 16). Diversity is also low where plant succession M progresses to the extent that habitatsare choked out. This is the case in Unit III. The lowest diversity along Unit I of the canal occurred inthose sections 0 which had recently been dredged. Freouencv of ocrrence 0

' Table 3.8 lists the 15 species withthe greatest % occurrence in each of the three canal units. Species such as Valeriana officinalis, Plant ago lanc at , Lathvruspratensis, and Viciacraccaoccur more frequently in Units II and III alongthe canal but are ' not among the top 15 species showingthe highest % occurrencein Unit I. Carex rostrata, Phalaris arundinacea, Filivendula ulmaria, Iris s d o , and Aarostis stolonifera areamong the top 15 plants ' occurring most frequently in thisUnit.

The species showing the greatest %occurrence in the bank of Unit II are of grassland- Festuca rubra, 1 Dactvlis ulomerata, Lathyrus pratensis, and Plant_co S lanceolata - and of typical bank verge,such as FiliRendula ulmaria, Glyceria maxima and Iris i nseudacorus. M

1 0 M TABLE 3.8 1 0 Species with the highest occurrence (%) on the Bank of M Units I, II and III of the Royal Canal.

M UNIT I II III NO. OF SECTIONS 72 43 39 0 Festuca rubra 76 100 97 Filinendula ulmaria 92 100 100 a Fraxinus exelsior * 86 100 Dactylis glomerata 93 100 97 Crataeaus monogyny * * 97 0 Lathyrus tiratensis * 93 97 Anaelica sylvestris 62 95 95 Glyceria maxima 67 95 0 Iris oseudacorus 76 Rubus fruticosus agg. * 93 95 Juncus inflexus 76 93 0 Plantago lanceolata * 93 Viccia eracca 1 Phleum Dratense * * 92 Prunus 91 92 Valeriana officinalis * 91 92 Arrhenatherum elatius 62 M garostis Stolonifera 86 88 90 Holcus lanatus * * 87 1 Potentilla anser na * 88 88 a Ranunculus Reoens 64 * 88 Centaurea niara 71 Carex rostrata 72 0 Trifolium pratense 67 T. repens 64 a Phalaris arundinacea 62 * denotes that the % occurrence of the species along M the canal unit is not among the first 15 highest. Unit III supports many sections where woodland/scrub 0 species occur in the bank zone - Fraxinus excelsior, 1 Crataeaus monoavna, Rubus fruticosus, Prunus soinosa, while typical bank species do not occur as often as a along the other two units. a

Irs

M 0 0 1 preference with these species is explainedby the presence of similar species in similar habitatsin the boundary zone. N 1 The habitats,associated rare species and section locations are given in Table 3.9 (atthe end of the M chapter). Inall threeunits therareplants represent either a marsh or a nutrientpoor grassland habitat. Each rare species along the bankoccurs at S less than 5 sites within any canal Unit. Small wetlandhabitats onmarshygroundon bermlike structures were not well represented along UnitI of t the canal. They were lost during thedredging operations. As with the boundary zone,some few sections are continually listedas supporting more a than one habitat and the associatedrare species. t 3.3.4 Flora of the Channel ff The flora of the channel of UnitsII and III was 1 surveyed in detail during 1990. A total of 155 M species (Appendix 6b)was found along the two units. The flora of the channel of UnitI was surveyed in 1989 (R.C.S., 1989) (Appendix 6a) and35 species were M found. Species found in the dry andovergrown canal bed and the semi-aquatic speciesof Units II and III are recorded as present in the channel andaccount for the large difference in species richnessbetween Units I and Units II and III. 0 1 Diversity The greatest diversity (Table3.10) occurred in those M sections of the channel which includeda range of 1 habitat such as open water,muddy bed, grassland and scrub(Plates 8,25 and 29). These semi-aquatic M sections are 85- 91 in Unit II and all of Unit III 1 excluding sections 118,and 131 - 133. A high diversity in watered sections,of Unit III of the canal, is only found in sections118 and 131 both influenced by a bog. The greatest diversity along Unit I of the canal was foundat Thomastown Harbour (Section 56) which is fed bya small stream.

There was a low diversity of speciesfound in sections M 96, 97, 98. The canal runs through BallymaglavyBog at this point and was breached in Section97 in early 1 1990 (See Plates 35 and 36) with the lossof submerged S and floating leaved species.

M a 76

0 a . andSectTABLE onons 3.10the w thLocks the andh ghost Bridges and oflowest the Royaldiversities Canal. along units II and III of the canal in the Channel ZONEDIVERSITYNO . OF SECTI ONS HIGH CHANNEL 82 LOW HIGHLOCKS AND BRIDGES 58 LOW Section No. D v 128118110 4752 Section No. Div. DllD6D5 5 Section No. D iv. 100 8984 253031 Section No. 114111106 D v. 1 130127111 4344 D4100D12D8 76 121D5D3 87 2425 827774 32 'W 117113 BeLl85 383941 D7D3D9101 987 127 D9D292 23 108L5L1 79 53 w 126131116 89 3738 D13D10 7776 9 9493 2122 L4110Dll 6 DIVERSITY SectionHIGHWATERED No.SECTIONS Div. OF CHANNEL 132 37 LOW 74 9 118 808481 22232452 101100D12D11Section No. Div 765 133 79827383 1617181922 D13D10D9D8 986 Div - diversity i.e. no. of species 99 13 1 7776 = _. = m = N 0 t Thelowest diversity along Unit I was inthose sections dredged prior to the survey. The diversity of those sections dredged in 1988 was similarto N 1 undredged sections (R.C.S., 1989). Ten sections showing the greatest species diversity 0 and ten showing the lowest among the watered sections of Unit II and III of the canal are alsoshown in Table 3.10.The pattern emerging from the diversities of these watered sections is not highlighted when they arecompared withthoseofthedriersections. Sections 79- 84 support a high species diversity (Plates 14,22 and 23). The urban sections of Dublin, Ballynacarrigy and Abbeyshrule by contrastsupport very low diversities, (Plates 20 and 66).There is an a abundant growth of Algae in Abbeyshrule.All watered sections except 74 -76 were treated withCasoron in April 1990 (John McKeown, pers. comm). ff Frequency of occurrence 0 Fifteen of the aquatic and senic aquatic plantsof the channel which occur most frequently in each ofthe three canal units are listed in Table 3.11.Plants of the wettest conditions which occur frequently inthe three units include Carex rostrata, NuDhar lutes, Ranunculus lingua, Mvriophyllumsp. andPhalaris aru ndinacea. It appears that PhraQmites australis prefers the openwaterconditions of Unit However, this is not so as the sections where itII.is 1 most abundant are dry with onlya narrow channel of water in the middle of the canal bed. Many of the remainder of the plants of the tablehave their 0 highest % occurrence in Unit III.Here, the water is 1 not very deep, is stagnant and there isa ready supply of nutrients in the mud which has been accumulating 0 each year. These conditions suit Menyanthes 1 trifoliata, Galium Dalustre, Mentha aauatica, Soarganium erect m,Runex hydrolatiathum,Equisetum a fluviatile, Mvosotis scoroioides,Berula erecta and _=ha latifolia.These same plants show a very low % occurrence in Unit I. However, this finding may not N be conclusive as some sections of Unit Iwere surveyed immediately after dredging.Unit I contains five species more commonly found in deep waterand not 0 present in many sections of Units II and III ofthe canal. 1 s Rare species 1 Table 3.12 shows aquatic plants whichare rare along E the channel. The plants which are indicated by * occur more frequently in the deeper water (>10 cros) of Units I and II. N Groenlandia denser is a protected species onlyfound in the Dublin city section. The remaining rare species are emergents preferring the shallower semi-aquatic a conditionsat Units II andIII. Some such as E 1 78 E TAHLE 3.11

Species with the highest occurrence (t) in theChannel of Units I, II and III of the Royal Canal. r UNIT' I II III NO. OF SECTIONS 72 43 39 1

Glyceria maxima 85 98 100 Menvanths trifoliata 32 39 90 1 r Galium Dalustre * 49 87 Mentha aguatica * 44 85 Carex rostrata 71 77 49 r Iris Dseudacorus * 42 77 Nu2har lutea 80 77 51 Sparcanium erectum 33 58 74 a Ranunculus lincua 51 72 69 Rumex hydrolaDathum - 23 72 Ecuisetum fluviatile * - 69 Phalaris arundinacea 29 65 yr oD v um sp. 86 63 1 Avrostis stolonifera * 42 62 Myosotis scorDioides * 62 Berula erects - - 56 1 TvDha latifolia 39 37 56 M Polvaonum amDhibium * 26 51 Sciruus lacustris 74 49 51 1 Nasturtium officinale * * * M Ranunculus flammula * * * Phraamites australis * 33 arex acu orm s 43 SDarnanium emersum 36 Potamoaeton natans 38 Alisma Dlantago-aguatica 22 M HiDDuris vulcaris 22 - denotes species not found along the canal unit r * denotes that the % occurrence of the species inthat canal unit is not among the first 15 highest. ,

79 M CanalRareTABLE species(a) 3.12 4 occurrence (species showing low 9 occurrence)(b) sections. of the channel of the Royal NO.CANAL OF SECTIONSUNIT I 72I 43II 39III SPECIES HABITAT a b I a I b I a b CallitricheftiuaBaldelliaAlissa noditlorua olantaoo-acuatica Ranunculcides sp. WM/BM/BMB 1*3 257 8181,8281,90,102 8 107,118,L5 ZlodeaElsochariaCladiuaam&Ceratoohvllus sp.canadensis eariscus palustris deaersus M/BFenW 1* 576656 12 5*2 99,80,9092,94, 97, 989774 5w8 133,117,118,132 L8 epO GroenlandiaGlviceriaE.v-sisetus olicata densawl sre yariaaatus W/BM/BW * *9 72,73,74,75 353 L6130,131133 OenantheHingri aouaticavulaaris alba WW/BFW *3* 50,51 59 73,7489,90,91,95D2, D3 3* L6 P.0. fistulosacrocatanerfoliatus crisDus WM/BM/B ** 752 72,73,7472,73D272 3 123 jtriculariaSoarcaniusRaaunoulusPotaeoareton sp.solgratus esarsusn. WM/BW 4 7,25,40 *72 D3,72 D4, D9 3s53 133118,133133 V.FontinalisVeronica anaaEllis-acuatica antiovretica scutellatabeccabunOa WM/BM/B *5 69,70,71,72 7* 72,73,74 *3853 126118,128,133125,132 L5 N -- *denotesMarsh, denotes Bthat -species Bern, the speciesoccurrenceWnot in andthat is not rare. found in- deepthe channelwater - alongdeeper than 10cas, unit does not have the unit a low F - Floating plant lotamegeten sp, and &=nuncu us ace era us oc commonly in both deep and shallow water. Lemna trisulca, though rare throughout the length of the canal channel occurs in abundance with Lemna minor in Sections 73 and 74. (See Plate 37). 3.3.5 Flora of LocksBridges and Harbours 1 129 species were recorded in 1990 on the Locks and Bridges of Units II and III of the canal (Appendix 7b). 34 species were recorded on the Locks and Bridges of Unit I (R.C.S., 1989) (Appendix 7a).There are 34 sections which contain bridges or Locks along Unit I, 31 in Unit II and 29 in UnitIII. Two bridges 1 0 on the Longford Branch of the canal were not surveyed. When both bridge and lock are present with a section R their associated species are not listed separately. 1 Diversity The greatest diversity along Units II and III (Table 3.10) occur where there is a combination of locks, . bridges and harbours within the section as is the case , for the 14 sections with the greatest diversities. The walls of locks, chambers and harbours provide further habitats in the crevices and on the wet walls. Section 89 supports a diverse flora yet there is only 1 Lock in this section.Lime loving plants grow at the top of the chamber and wetland species can be found in the chambers of derelict locks. This is , especially true for all locks west of Lock 26 at . Coolnahay Harbour in Section 84 (Plates 32 and 34). The greatest diversity along Unit I of the canal also ' occurs where there are locks or harbours as at Kilcock Section 19,Locks 22 and 23 at Footy's Bridge of Section 58 and Lock 17 near McLoughlins Bridge Section

23. The lowest diversity along Unit I of the canal wasat Allen, Moyvalley and McNeads Bridgesallnew or 1 0 widened. Dredging operations contributed to a low diversity (R.C.S., 1989). The lowest diversity along Units II and III of the canal occurs at thosesections E which contain bridges only such as Fowlard'a Longford, 1 Pake, Green and Kirkpatrick Bridges. These bridges are on roads frequently travelled and two of them are f also culverted. The greatest number ofspecies 1 recorded on Bridges was at Ballydrum and Begnagh Bridges where 14 species were found on both. Both a bridges are very old and only used by pedestrians or 1 for farming purposes. Freauencv of Occurrence I Many of the bridges are covered in Ilex agUifolium, 0 Rubusfruticosusagg., trees and shrubs. These provide good cover for birds. A study of the plants E es 1 0 1 occurring most frequently (Appendix 2) revealsplants typicalof an old wall habitat of nutrient-poor limestone soils and of woodland. Plants of these E 1 habitats which are found along the canalare listed in Appendix 1. Plants of Locks are similar to thoseof bridges but with the addition of wetlandspecies such E as Angelica sylvestris, Filipendulaulmaria and 1 Valeriana officinalis. There are many species occurring only once on the bridges and locks alongthe a canal but they are neither typical of the wall habitat 1 nor rare in other canal zones. E 3.4 DISCUSSION

The collected floristic information has beenused to a locate features of conservation importancealong the zones of the canalso that they may be managed 1 carefully in the course of works. Brady and Shipman a and Martin (1987) note that "in theyears since their construction, a series of natural habitats has developed along the canals. They have changed the 0 character of the canal froman artificial manmade channel to a natural ecosystem. As urbanisation has increased and agriculture has becomemore intensive, a 1 the importance of the canalsas nature reserves has grown." Some of the many conservation aspectsare discussed below. 0 Two protected species and many other nationallyrare (as defined by Webb 1977)species and others with 1 restricted distributionswere found. One species noted by Webb (1977) as being occasional inE. Centre, and very rare elsewhere- Hvdrocharis morsus-ranae - E occurredquite frequently in the canal in Co. 1 Longford. This is anew county record forthis species. 0 1 The many nationally rare specieswhich were found alongthecanal (Tables 3.5,3.9,3.12) havebeen assigned to particular habitatsas it is much more ecologically sound to conserve the habitat.Habitats with rare species are also likelyto be species rich 0 (Nilsson et al., 1988). The nationally rare species are found primarily in habitats whichare scarce along 1 the canal e.g. Galium uliginosum ofthe fens. 0

Unit II represents a canal falling intodisrepair but 1 which is still being maintainedby local landowners with some official input from theO.P.W. Hedges have been trimmed back, the towpaths grazedand footpaths maintained along them. Small habitats survive in E these conditions where natural vegetationalsuccession and invasion will not choke them out. These small habitats supportthenationallyrarespecies in N 1 addition to being species rich (Sections3.3.2, 3.3.3 and 3.3.4). Unit I is used more frequentlyby the public, planners a 1 and landowners and has recently beendredged. These 0 1 rZ 0 0 1 0 factors result in a more uniform, neater canal along 1 this Unit where there are fewer small habitats to be found in relation to its length. Unit III of thecanal was dammed in 1961 and many culverts built across it 1 during the 70's and 80's. There was no interest in N keeping the towpaths open and gradually over time the hedges and scrub grew out on to the towpath, downthe bank and in places across the channel. The canal 1 E itself has dried up except during the winter months when rain water accumulates in the bed. 0 Because the many habitats are located at random along the canal corridor and in different zones it is important to be aware of where they are. All the habitats are drawn on the relevant maps of Part 2. Drains, fens, ditches, bogs, woodland, woodland understorey, hedge, marsh and many grasslands are well U represented along the Boundary of Unit II. Only 1 raised bogs and woodland habitat species are well represented along the same zones of Units I and III. 0 Many of the raised bogs of the three units areASI's (Section 2.7)and Brady, Shipman and Martin (1987) urge that liaison is required with Bord na Mona to press for the retention of the remaining undisturbed bogs. 1 E Towpaths 1 Habitats of the towpath include grasslands and trample resistant species along the worn towpath. Because the underlying geology is predominantly limestone (Herries Davies and Stephens, 1978) there are many places where N thereis potential fora nutrient-poor limestone grassland. However, species of limestone grassland are more limited than would be expected on such 1 N terrain. There are reasons for this. Scrub and grass invasion and overgrazing by cattle are some of the reasons why it is not much more in evidence. The 1 a soil layer of a nutrient-poor limestone grassland is very thinand the resultantvegetation sparse, N delicate but very colourful. Bank 0 The habitats of the bank are grasslands, marsh/berm, 1 emergent andahabitatin the transitionalarea between emergent and bank top vegetation. Where the s channel bed is dry the wetter habitats are not present 1 to any great extent on the bank. Instead they are in the channel. Grassland and woodland/hedgerow species 0 occur most frequently in UnitsII and III while 1 emergents and species of the transitional zone of the bank occur most frequently along Unit I. The marshy N berm habitat at the base of the bank is notmuch in evidence along Unit I of the canal except at Kilmore I Bridge and between Saunders and Baltrasna Bridges. It was lost during dredging operations in 1989/90. The emergent species and those of the marsh act as a 1 N 1 N 43 buffer when waves from low to moderate trafficlevels wash towards the bank (Haslam, 1978;Hoogerkcamp and Rozenboom, 1978; Murphy and Eaton 1983 and1990. 0

It is the channel as it exists atpresent which presents the greatest contrasts of species composition between the three units. It is watered along Unit I i and parts of Unit II and with theappearance of an elongated marsh stretch in parts of Units IIand III and completely dried out in parts of UnitIII. a

Channel Species of Unit I occurring mostfrequently areof deep water habitats - Nupharlutesand a MyrioRhyllum sp. They, in addition to some emergents (Glviceria maxima, Carex rostrata and Scirpus lacustrisl had grown quickly afterdredging whereas a some other emergents (Stiarganium erectw, Pha_ arundinacea and M=a latifolialand marsh plants and Menvanthes trifoliatal a did not show such recovery. This finding may not be conclusive as these speciesmay not have been present to a great extent prior to dredging.Further study of 8 aquatic species of Units I andII after dredging should be carried out.

The difference in the species diversitiesin the watered sections of Unit II of thecanal cannot be accounted for. The diversity is very low in the urban 0 areas and quite high where the channel flowsthrough non urban areas (compare maps 92, 93, 99 and100 with maps 79 - 84 and Plates 14, 16 and23 with Plate 66). 0 It has been found that these urbanareas of channel are nutrient-rich probably as a result of leaching from the banks. Studies are ongoing to try to M determine the source ofthese nutrients. The nutrient-rich waters should leadto an increase in plant biomass or to the dominanceby algae. The a latter is only true for Abbeyshruie. The other urban areas have a low species diversity and supportvery little plant growth. M i All areas except 2 kilometres at Mullingarhave been sprayed with herbicide. There is no comparative data s from the Royal Canal prior to herbicidetreatment but it is generally accepted that prolongedtreatment 1 using chemicals is detrimental to theecology of the E canal (Harbott and Rey, 1981; Murphyand Eaton 1981 and Murphy et al.1987) Murphy and Eaton,(1990), 1 found that there was much needlessuse of herbicide a treatment along the-Royal Canal.Herbicides have been sprayed annually since the OPW tookover the canals in 1986. Prior to that herbicideswere sprayed along N watered sections of the canal for tanyears from 1976 - 1986 (Liam Maher pers. comm.). 0 1 0 1 E LocksHarbours and Bridges t

0 The stone structures along the Royal Canal, namely the 86 bridges,46 locks and many harbours provide a 1 series of small habitats already discussed in sections 0 2.7 and 3.3.5. The species found on the locks and harbours which have fallen into disrepair are for the 1 mostpartalso. foundelsewherealongthecanal a corridor. The restoration and rebuilding of some of these structures along Units II and III of the canal will necessitate the loss of some of the species 1 0 presently found there otherwise their root systems would damage the brickwork further or displace the mortar. Small limeloving plants and typical wall 1 M plants which should colonise restored sections (Appendix 1) will not damage the stone structures. 1

0 1

0 1 a 1 0 1 M 1 N a 1

1 N 1 0 95 t M 3.5 PLANTS GENERALLY CONFIITE_n TO THE DQBLIN CITY $METCH OF THE RO " i._ 0 Some of the plants associated with the DublinCity M stretch of the canal (Sections D1 - D13) are 1 influenced by factors not in evidencefurther inland. Such factors include the following 8 a) proximity to the coast b) proximity to gardens c) proximity to waste sites. M

Plants present as a result of these influencesare M listed in Table 3.13. The four species listed under "other" have already been mentionedas being rare. They are allnative and rare (Webb, 1977) with M restricted distributions. Groenlandia densa isa protected species (Curtis and McGough,1988). M The section of canal which connects withthe Liffey at Spencer Dock was not surveyed by theteam engaged on the present project. However, it has been noted that a several coastal species, Desmazeria marina, fi idiM latifolium and Parietaria diffusagrow on the walls at the junction of the canal and Liffey(Wyse Jackson and Sheehy Skeffington, 1984). a TABLE 3.13 a

Plants peculiar to the Dublin Citystretch of the Royal Canal as a result of external influences. 0 ' COASTAL INFLUENCE GARDEN ESCAPE M

* Malva sylve_ Cyclamen hederfolium a Senecio erucifoli»s * Fuchsia magellanica * Sayrnium olusatrum * Hvoericum hircin m * Foeniculum vulcare * Tannacetum vulg,are ESCAPE FROM WASTE SITE OTHER M * Armoracia rustic na Groenlandia densa Artemisia vulgaris Linum biennne * Hordeum murinum Oenanthe crocata a * Ta_nacetum vulgare Trcoooaon bratensis M *introduced species (Webb,1977) M 1 0 1 a 1 E 1 0 3.6 REVEGETATION OF DREDGED AREAS 3.6.1. Introduction 1 0 A study of the revegetation of dredging spoil was undertaken in 1990. The deposition of dredging spoil along the canal banks and towpath can have a negative 1 E impact on both the ecology and the public image ofthe canal if not carried out in a controlled manner. The aim of the present survey is to list the specieswhich 1 0 colonise the spoil after one growing season and to determinewhat factors influencerevegetation at a different sections. 1 3.6.2. Methods a The revegetation of dredging spoil was recorded at 12 1 sections -defined as a kilometre length - along Unit I of the canal in mid August 1990.The dredging at 0 the selected sections had been carried out in late 1989 or early 1990 in preparation for the reopening of this stretch of canal to navigation on 28th May 1990. 0 Within each section the revegetation of the affected zone or zones was recorded. There were 19 affected 1 E zones along the 12 sections. The surveying procedure involved noting the presence 1 of a species on a separate recording card (for each a affected zone) and the taking of photographs before and after dredging where possible and during the 1 growing season of 1990. 3.6.3 Results 1 0 The grouping of the nineteen affected zones at the twelve sections was as follows:- 0 eleven. bank zones six towpath zones two boundary zones 1 128 species were recorded (Appendix 8) - 126, 68, and 40 respectively in the bank towpath and boundary E zones. The frequency of occurrence (%) of a species 1 at each zone is also given in Appendix 8. s Diversity The diversities of the 19 affected zones are given in 0 Table 3.14.The highest diversity generally occurs in 1 the bank zone. However, the lowest diversity was also recorded there at sections 15,44 and 66. Other N sections with low diversities were the towpaths of sections 1, 15 and 14. The revegetation at both the I bank and towpath was noted at six sections (1, 2,11, 0 12, 14 and 15) and it was higher on the towpathat three of these sections (11,12 and 15). The very 1 N 27 I N L a 0 1 slight contrasts between the diversitiesat two of these sections (12 and 15) do not merit discussion. 0 1 Freauency of Occurrence Aarostis stolonifer , Glviceria maxima, Polvaonum M amDhibium, Viccia cracca, Cirsiumarvense, Pha_ Li arundinacea and Ranunculusreoens are the most co*mn species on the dredging spoil ofall three zones 0 during the first growingseason, (Table 3.15). Other common species on the bank are us elatius, Fili2nndula f Juncusinflauum, Calystsaia M seoium. Rubus fruticosusagg. and urtica dioica.Some typical towpath species such as Daucus carots, Plantago lanceol ta, P. major andPoa annua are common s at the six sections whilst Achilleamillefoli»M. Centaurea niara and Potentilla anserinaare on both boundary zones.Other species such as Holcus lanatus, E Phleum nratense and Senecio jacobeaappear at 50% or three of the towpathzones. M 8 Diversities on the dredging spoilof the Royal Canal after one growing season. 0 ZONE BOUNDARY HANK TOWPATH r

Section No. Div. Section No. Div. Section No.Div.

1 75 11 41 66 23 2 58 2 33 59 22 a 67 45 12 26 40 40 1 19 45 31 15 18 M 11 28 14 17 14 20 12 20 a 15 16 44 16 66 16 0 Diversity i.e.:no. of species a

1 s 1 a 1 to 1 0 A TABLE 3.15 0 Species occurring most often (%) on the dredging spoil of the bank, towpath and boundary along Unit I ofthe M Royal Canal. 1 a ZONE BANK TOWPATH BOUNDARY NO. OF SECTIONS 11 6 2 0 1 Arrhenatherum elatius 82 - - Aarostis stolonifera 63 - 1 0 Calysteaia sepium 63 - 100 Filipendula ulmaria 82 - - Glyceria maxima 73 67 100 1 0 Juncus inflexus 73 - - Polvgonum amphibium 73 - 100 Potentilla reptans 73 - 0 Rubus fruticosus agg. 73 - - 1 Urtica dioica 73 - Viccia cracca 91 67 0 Cirsium arvense 82 100 100 1 Ranunculus repens 91 67 - Centaurea nigra - - 100 M Daucus carota - 67 Lapsana communis - 83 1 Lathyrus pratensis - 67 - a Phalaris arundinacea 54 83 - Plantago lanceolata - 67 - 1 P. maior * 83 M Poa annua - 67 Achillea millefolium - - 100 1 0 Potentilla anserina - - 100 * denotes species not found denotes the occurrence (%)of a species which is M not sufficiently high for the table.

3.6.4. Discussion 1 Bank , The bank verges of Section 1, 2 and 67 supporta very high species diversity. These banks are low and S gentle. Species adapted to the wetter conditions of ' the bank base and those preferring the drier conditions higher up the bank can live and grow together. (Plate 39). Though the bank in Section 1 , supports the greatest diversity (75 species) there is littlevegetation where thebank is steep. A . comparison of Plates 39 and 40 will illustrate this. ' The diversity of the bank in Section 40 is quitehigh (Plate 41). The channel was dredged using a hydrolic 0 machine in April of 1990 and surveyed in August ofthe same year. Here the bank is again low and gentle. 1 0 1 0 89 A Light poaching by sheep and cattleoccurs which helps 0 break up the hardened spoil and this enables plantsto grow. The spoil from this point of the channel hasa high clay content.Where it is thick and has hardened i the revegetation is not progressingas fast as at other sections (Plate 42). M Sections 44 and 45 with a relatively high diversity were also dredged in April of this year (1990) (Plate 43). Section 45 supports double the diversityof Section 44 though both sites showa similar pattern and amount of vegetation (Plate 44). However, the soil at Section 44 is more gravelly and nutrient-poor than at Section 45 and at Section 44 the spoilwas dragged up the bank by a Hydrolic machinewhereas it was pulled to the edge in Section 45. The diversity 0 at these two banks was 26 and 48 respectivelyprior to dredging(R.C.S., 1989). Both sites seem to be recovering well. ff

Low diversities were recorded where the banksare high and steepandwherethere was littleemergent 0 vegetation left in the channel after dredging (Sections 11, 12 and 15). Non emergent species will 1 have to colonise the bank from the topdown. This method of revegetation is slower than plants colonising from the baseas has already been shown in Section 1 (Plate 39). 0

The diversity of the revegetation of thebank in Section 66 is the lowest. This section was dredged M and an embankment built with clay from outsidethe area in February 1990 (Plate 45). Revegetation of the embankment is very slow. The newbanks are 0 structurally sound. However, the clay is very hard and seeds cannot germinate. The clay may soften and the soil structure be altered during the wintermonths M as a result of weathering. Plants may then colonise. The diversity of Sections 14 and15, at the back of M Maynooth College, was low on both bank andtowpath. (Plate 46). The channel at this locationwas covered from bank to bank with Glviceria maxima, priorto M dredging. The vegetation of the spoilwas allowed to grow and set seed before levelling took place. The dominance of the aquatic Glviceria maximamay be a related to the fact that therewas no top-soil mixed with the spoil as therewas no room to do so. However, some terrestrialspecies aregaininga foothold and with proper managementmay be encouraged.

tiAIA 0

The vegetation of the towpath at Sections11 and 12 showed quite an interesting contrast. Section 11 (Plate 47) supported 41 species madeup of grasses, reeds, tall herbs and calcareous species. Section 12 supported very little vegetation at itseastern end . s- 90 e M 1 M (Plate 48). ' Furtft4f-;'*R)hg, ' a mixture dominated by t Cirsium vulgare, Cirsium arvense and Senecio jacobaea 0 was found (Plate 49). These were interspersed with grass and tall herb species. Both these sites were dredged July 1989 spoil was deposited on the towpath, I 0 left to dry and was then levelled off. To gain access with the machines used, to carry out 1 the dredging operations, much of the hedgerow was M removed and the soil mixed in with the spoil inthe levelling operation. While this had a positive effect 1 on the revegetation at Section 11, other factors 0 affected the vegetation at Section 12. Initially, the soil of the first stretch is compacted and little vegetation grows.The remainder is colonised by seeds 1 0 from the Thistles and Ragworts of the adjoining fields. 1 0 Compaction is also evident along the towpaths of Sections 1 and 2, with very few species recorded for M a kilometre length (Plates 40, 48 and 50). . t Boundary The diversity in the boundary was recorded along the length of Section 66 and in a small area justwest of Footy's Bridge in Section 59. 23 and 22 species were ' recorded respectively. The site at Section 59 was nutrient-poor supporting such species as omu erectus, Orchis morio, (Corm Breen pers. comm.), ' Carlina vulgaris and Ceterach officinarum whilst that at 66 was characteristic ofunimproved meadow. Neither site supports a great diversity growing on the spoil (Plates 51, 52 and 53). This can be due to the ' fact that the spoil was thick, was not mixed inor covered over with topsoil and that not many of the aquatic species from the canal and in the spoil will grow in the dry boundary zone whereas they will onthe wetter bank. A similar pattern emergesatthe boundaries of Sections 44(Plate 54)and 45(not surveyed).The boundaries here and at many other sections are wide enough where excavated trenches could have been dug, filled with spoil and covered with topsoil. , SRecies Occurring most Frequently M The emergent species occurring most frequently in the 1 spoil (Table 3.15) are capable of withstanding the trauma of being uprooted and deposited on what will 0 soon be a drier habitat. The buds and vegetative parts are near the ground and they each have aeration tissue in their underground organs. They are, as a 0 result able to revegetate and are not smothered by the spoil. These same species such as Glyceria maxima, Polyaonum ammhibium and Calystegia sevium were growing M on the spoil along section D10 and D6 after 'afew weeks (Plates 55 and 56; Plates 57-59). 0 91 a 1 Cirsium arvense is one of the earliestcolonisers of disturbed habitats. The seeds are light enough to be carried by the wind. Nutrient rich spoil providesan ideal substrate for them to germinate. Viccia cracca M 1 is a liana type plant and climbsacross the spoil. The hydromorphic emergent -speciesin addition to nuisance speciessuchasThistles, Ragworts and a Brambles can be eliminated by cutting beforethey set seed. .

As the spoil settles, other plants beginto emerge. 1 Those listed as being the mostcommon on the towpath of the 6 sections surveyed includeDaucus carota, a LaRsana communis, Plantago la_nceolata, P. mawand 1 Poa annua. Urtica dioica,Calvateeia Lg2j aand M grasses are common on the bank and Centaurea nicraon the boundary.

Damage by machinery 0

During dredging operations the machinesused damaged the vegetation cover in sections wherethe towpath was 0 not sufficiently wide (Plate 61). This occurred at sections 44, 68 and 69 where there isa very nutrient- poor calcareous soil with a very delicate flora. The 0 damage occurred in early 1990,and by August of the same year, the scars were still very much in evidence. M In some cases, (Plate 62) the slope wherethe topsoil has beenscarredis quite steep. Under these circumstances erosioncan occur. Runoff from above M washes away the soil and small particles. To rectify this it is necessary to lessen thegradient. 0 3.6.5. Conclusions

The revegetation of spoil ismore diverse and quicker on the bank than on other zones. The speed at which the vegetation reverts to that whichwas there prior to dredging dependson the thickness of the spoil, whether the spoil is mixedor covered with topsoil, whether or not compaction ofthe spoil occurs and whether or not clay is broughtup from the canal bed and deposited on the bank.Compaction of spoil occurs when too much pressure either frommachines or walkers is exerted upon it.Compaction does not come aboutas easily once vegetation is present. I When thespoil has begun to support vegetation it is important to cut the earlier nuisancespecies before they set seed. M Physical damage to the boundaryzone of the canal during dredging operationscaused, principally by machinery width, can be quite severe and the vegetation is often slower to recolonisethese areas than on spoil. 0 1 1 M N . M E N M O M M M O M M TABLE 3.5 s Rare species of the canal boundary :one so classified by (a) a high tonal preference (Y) for the Boundary Zone; IbN a low occurrence (1). (c) refers to the number of SPECIESsections at which the species occurs along Units 10 HABITAT (a) (bl (c) SECTIONS II and III of the Royal Canal. (a) (b) (c) SECTIONS ION (b) Icl SECTIONS CONOTS Ajuga reptans Wood t 6It 4 1 861 II 121 51 881 III 5 12 117,120 Alisma plantago-aquatica HedgeDrain 1 24,25,45,46 100 7 3 D4,D5,D9 3t 1 115 AnacaeptisAlliue vineale pyranidalis BogL. grass t1 1t 1t t 100 - 512 5 78,80,81,82,83 100 - 15 6 1 118109-111,117,124,Lb FrequentRare, local, in C. confined to S. AntennariaAndraeeda polifoliadioica L. grass 100 2 12 68,69 t2 97,981 013 1 1t3 1 Frequent in C. ApiunAnthyllis nodifIwo vulneraria DrainL. grass t 1t t1 100 -t$ (i2 & 1 D4 - 13 1 107 Aranracia rusticana Dry bank t t 1 i 2 Waste places, rather rare ArmArtenisis eaculatum vulgaris WoodDry bank 100 4 3 10,11,33 4- 67 Ne3 D3,D4,D6 1<1t t t1 tN BaldellisAspleniun ranculoides trichowies WallMarsh 1t Z1 L1 100 57 23 69996D3,77,85 t 1i i 1t 8.Brows erectus ramosus L. 0.00grass ti t6 tV 100 - 5214 16 D131111-1113,77,80,88 100 1 31 1 t1 L2 Found around Dublin CallunaCallitriche vulgaris spp. BogDrain t 1 t t 100 6 5 2 97,9890,% - 5t 2 1 118,119 CalystegiaCaltha palustris silvatica HedgeMarsh t 1t 1t 100 69 i14 03,D4105,116 - 31 120 Occasional C.Cardanine flesuosa Marsh - 1 1 21 100 2 79 1 t 1 1 t C.Cares caryophyllea pratensis L. grassFen/Bog t- t1 1 t 46 i- 2k l1& 88 - 3 1 109 C. dim*&echinata MarshFen/Bog t1 1t 1 100 52 2 75,811 9175 100 1 31 1l 118 Frequent in C. C. elatalepidocarpa Fen 4 1 3 7,8,62 - 2 1 81 31 1 109 Frequent in W.C. and C. C. remotepulicaris WoodBog/Fen 100 - 7 5 36,37,52,531541 69 100 - 122 5 012,013,86,881%1 88 100 6- k3 6 1 109 M M M M M M = M M M sylvatics - 5 2 1112,1113 Mi M M A tcM M M M M fi TAKE 3.S cant. I Rare species of the canal boubary zone era classified by (a) a high zaul preference (2) for the bAlmry Wet of SPECIESsections at which the species occurs along Units I, 11 HABITAT (a) and III of the Royal Canal. (al Ib1 (c) SECTIONS (a) (b) (c) SEC lu IN a low ocarreeoe M. (c) refers to the number COMM CeterachCentaurium officinarw arythraea WillL. grass 1 11 !1 t1 100 ru 3 1 L4109 Frequent near sea Corylus mlla m Maod/Hg 36 100 t 5 2 79,93 t6 t1r 16 DaethaniaDactylorhizaCpbaleria deawas aralis eaculata Boglogtall 100 I2 12 13,82 11 1 t 1t 118 Echiwkiwi rotendifolia vulgare Drylog bank 100 I 25 12 97,98 79 100 53 2 l l8, l19 Common in N. ad W. Equisetuepdatre unadonxis e MarthGrain 26 100 522 1 9690 100 -t1 65t1 32t1 104,105,109118,119 Occasional on E. coast E. varieptumteleateis MershMood 657,8 100 ! 51 21 77,892 81,84 -I 15 t2 L4,L5 AbundantCommonoccasional in but M, localin occasional C., in S E.EriaphareeErica tetralix angustifolium log latifolium log/Fenlog 7,8,65 100 75 32 76981909970% 75,9/,98 100 1 5 2 118,119116,119 Rare but widespread Euphrasis&wE. on eeropaeus app. vegimatum L.Mood/Hglog grass 33437,42,47,4965 100 &t 15 t2 91,98 53t 2t1 107,109119 Frequent in C. FudnsiaFaniadam upilanics vulgre FenHedgeDry bank 100 S2 2 M,061 13 t1 1t 1t Occasional near mast in S. 6.6eranimeMine uliginosme dissectae mope Roadside 100 2 1 D477 t 1t 1t Rare and in C. 61yevis6lechana hoderaceaplicate DrainL. grass 44 100 25 2 12,831 a 1 1 t Occasional . HippmrilMieracive6pnsdenia vulgaris pileeells asse m L. grassDrainL.w grass 100 512 25 11,13,16,11,9290,915i %75,71679,81,102 1 312 . 51 10991,4109 Frequent in C., rare elseidwe MENOMM OWN mmm Wreci*dden noe-scriphow 100 9 4 M,N1111479 mom 100 3t t1 79 M 0 M . 0 M 0 M . 0 0 M 0 M 0 0 M 0 M M 0 0 0 f RareTABLE species 3.5 cont.of the canal boundary tone so classified by (a) a high zonal preference (1) for the Boundary Zane; (b) a low occurrence (11. (c) refers to the number of SPECIESsections at which the specties occurs along Units I, 11 HABITAT (a) (b) (c) SECTIONS and III of the Royal Canal. (a) (b) (c) SECTIONS (a) (b) (c) SECTIONS COMMS H.Hypericum androsaemum perforatuehircinum Mood/Hg6ardenMood/Hg 1 3tI1 21 11,20 100 - II 925 412 88,78 812,82,83,8502 t- III 5t5 21 L2,L4 108,L2 1.Lou minor trisulca BrainDrain 100 t- t7 5 22,23,24,53,55 100 - 27 3 90,91,961 90 100 1- 51 21 120,121 RareFrequent in M. in C. and S.E. L.leontodon autumnalis taraxacoideshispidus L. grass t1 It 1t I 5k1: I26 84,95 -t 51 21 109,117116,111 Frequent in S. and C. L.Linum biome catharticum MoodL. grass -1i 4t 13i 46, 47, 61 - 72 31 79,%,102a -t 61 31 107,109,L5 Rare th LysimmchiaLychnisLister& ovata flos-cuculi nemorum MoodMarsh 1t 1t 1 100 1- 17 13 82908,10206,77,84 - 313 5 1 120106,107,109 MelampyrumLythrum salicaria pratense BogBank 1- 14 13 24,28,31 100 & 26 1& 96 100 - 105 42 1 117,120118119-121,133 Menyanthes trifoliata BogBrain - 1 1 50 - 125 2 75,91 - 53 2 118,120 Rare in lowlands NrtheciumMyricsMolinea gale caerula ossifragum BogBag 100 t- t1 1 1 66 100 -- 5 2 91,985 89,91,96,97,98 - 85 32 118,119,130109,118 Nasturtium officinal@ Brain 100 1 k 1 69 100 1 5112 5 DB,80,84,90,%12 97,98 100 1 15 12 1181119 DxalisDnganumWys acetosella apifera vulgare MoodL. grass i2 3&i _fi 38935 -1 15 21 012,813 - 53 21 L2,L5123 LocallyLocal and frequent, rare on limestone Farnassia palustris Fen 100 3 .100 7 - 1 P.Pediculris palustris sylvatica BogMarsh 1- 1I 12 7,8 8 100 - 2 13 1 978975,71,81 100 -1 531 21 118,119109 Common in M. and C. FhragmitesPingwicula austral lusitanica is BogFen/Drain - 13 12 28931 - 112 15 75,77989,91,92 100 - 3 1 116127 PolygalaP. serpyllifolia vulgris HeathBag/Fin 1t tt 1t 100 t 52 2 97,981 89 , -t 5t 21 1189119 Frequent in N.M.M, rare and elsewhere C. ME is cont. V. In adionsspecies at of Ohich the anal the specieshomdwy:one occurs alongso classified Units 1, by II fal and I1f of the Royal Cmmd. a high tonal preference (1) for the Imodary lone; (b) a loco ouarrence M. (c) refers to the MAW of Fotamogetm91 MISS Matins IWITAT (a) (b) 1I (c) SETIN1 100(a) I(b) I (c) SIET10NS (a) t III (b) t (c) SECTIONS1 CtIIEMiS Flotilla erects Marshllaatl0Drain -t 61 4 66,68,69,701 1t I<51 f<2 90,%t 10 4 1 109,118 , 119 , 130 P. palustrisstrilis Mood `t k 6 9 4 77000091993 1 13 t1 117118 Rouma0lusMiaria drsentria fiaria Moodlarsh 100 t t1 t1 66 16 t65 1i201,% 8 3 1 117,1.591.6 Now11 pti hydrolapathw mpors alba Drainin 100 1 1 21 2 1 1 3I 1 Il8 Can in M. and Wt of C . . . SchomowsSwaula ergaea magricm WanMood 100 t 1 1 43 100 t 71 3 779991911 % 8 33 1099116,119117 , 120 , 12 CommonRather rare in M. and C . Sw4doScrgWwiaScirpus erucifolius cmWitosus modow lankNalgelog t1 tt 11t - 525 12 7997,98 100 1 15 t2 112118,119 , 132 SolmSilene Albad0dawra Hmdgeladle 100 -t 61 t 41 3,22,2393127 100 - 75 32 110,011112,82 1497975 100 t 3t 1 L8 OFngwADry xmional hanks in owC. andE S . mast . E . , local Stellaria4wpdun holostea moron HedpeDrain 100 1 14 t3 21923956 100 - t 13 1 90 100 1 t31 t1 117 . Frequent in E. , local in M. TraNpolonImmutmeSpQhrtm off vtdpmpratensis icinale Mrshlry bank t t 1t 100 35 12 11,75M t t t 1 t TriglochimTrifolium dubi4e palustris Marsh1.Hello grass tt t1 t1 62 56 1 110 t 13 1 1 118 C. , occasional V.Vraica beccAmp catswta Marsh 100 - 34 23 229562219,32 100 37 132 08,80,%81,13% t1 1t t occasional 1Vibreum lambs apulus !/odes not found; - *Mt" that the 21011 emtama YmdAllMoat 100 i i4 3k 56145 t 15 t2 77,81 i 613 i5 117 , 120 , 123 , 127 , 131 C ommmm t s are f ro Mmbb 1191n. prefrsna is (01 It llrotes that the spaim is not rare aloe! the coal. a 0 0 m a 0 0 m m 0 m 0 m m 0 m 0 m m 0 m 0 0 m TABLE 3.9 Rare species of the canal bank zone so classified by (a) a high zonal preference (1); which the species occurs along Units I, II and III (b) a low occcurrence (1). of the Royal Canal. (c) refers to the muter of the sections at SPECIES HABITAT (a) (b) (c) SECTIONS (a) (b) (c) SECTIONS (a) (b) (c) SECTIONS COMMENTS Alisma plantago-aquatica Berm/wrsh - 13I 2 34,35 2 II 1 81 t IIL-1 1 Anacamptis pyrnidalis L. grass 1t 1 t 9 4 1 D13D11,80,B1,102 1 110 4 109,110,112,113 Frequent in C. ApiumAnthyllis nodiflorum vulnraria Berm/wshL. grass 100 I 1 1 2 1 82 15 2t 112,115 CalthaBlackstonia palustris perfoliata Berm/wrshL. grass 1 t t l 68 6t dt k 1t t t10 14 1 107,109,114,121 Locally frequent in C. C.Carex aquatilis caryophyllea BogL. grassBrm/mrsh tI t1 t1 100 1t t2 1 94 5 2 113,116 Rare C.C. elatademissa Fen 100 I 1 1 55 k NY t fK t 100 3 l 118 C. lepidocarpa Fen 6 Nk 4 34,49,59,69 2 1 64 t 3t 1t 118 Frequent in C. C. paniculataotrubae Ben/wrsh & i 16 1 100 1 71 1 100 6- 63 i 1 L1 RareFrequent inland in C. and W. CladiumCrlina vulgris mriscus FenL. grass 1t t 1 100 27 13 75,78,87 Oil 1t t1 1t Frequent in C. DactylarhizaCoeloglossum wculata virile Bog/marshDry lime. I 1 t1 100 t 5 t 23 91,92,9880,81t 1 31 t 1 Mainly in W. and local EquisetumEleocharis palustre palustris Beret/mushDerm/marsh I 1t t 29 4 1 80,81,90,9191 -- 813 53 114,115,117118 Comm in N. and W. EupatariumE. cannabinum variegates transit.Berm/mrsh - Ni I 6 4 47,69,70,71 Ni d7 fi3 79,83,98 100 - 86 3 124,L4,L5105,109,127,130,131 Comm in N., occasional in S. Occasional in C. NieraciumEuphrasis spp. pilosella L. grass - 6 6 t< - 38 3 1 1101091113,120103,112,120 Frequent in S., rare N. LamiumHy/rocotyle purpureum vulgris WasteBrm/mrsh 100 l00 t 100 - 33 1 112110 L.Lemtodm hispidus traxacoides L. grass tk - 610 . 43 109,110,117,118109,110,117 Frequent in S. and C. TAOLE 3.9 cat. Rare species of the canal bank :one so classified by (a) a high tonal prela mm (III Which the species own along Units 1, 11 and III (b) a for occarrena M. (c) refers to the mnber of the Royal Cod. of the sections at SPECIES W)OITAT (a) (b1 1 (c) SECTIONSt (a) (b) (c) SECTIM (a) (b) (c) SECTIONS CON10(TS L.Limn biemNe catharticun ovata L.1. grass t 31 2 20,211 k2 k1 013 101 41 Are 1079110,1109130 Lyc*mLydmisListera m fla-cm1iropwus Marshw !t 1! t 1 21 1 102 1310 14 125116,1.5,1.7,1.8 Mwyanthes trifdiata IsnleershIerelwsh kt k k 72 3 79,95,98 32 3 1 117 Frequent but local NesturtimMyosotis scarpipides officinale 0enlmrshIen/wsh - 14 13 28,62,63 30 55 2 02,0872,93 813 53 101,113-115,133 113,114,117 . Oripma0.&Mo*k cncatavullare 1istulgsa wwwshIenlwsh 1t k t1 kt 29 41 OM 72 3t !1 117 AreWe andin C. only in E. Pedialaris paiostris Ierm/wshDry lice. - 1k 1 6070 t29 14 011-D1391021 93 35 12 110103,123 Ave N. and S.M., FwicariaPotentilla dysenterics palustris IrelwshIere/wsh 100 - 4 13 6,1,30 7 3 071110995 31 t1 114118 SmosrkamAmmilm hydrolq*m minor tridw*llus Irdwsh t L. grassIrn/wsh I k tk1 t tk1 2kt k 1t 81 510 24 110,113112,114,115,118 FrequentRatherfrequent rare inon C. limestone and S.E. SmutellariaScrapbularisSdmm nigricans galericelstsmdosa Met stone MastsFedwsh area 100 1 3 12 31,62 t21 t1l 01 853 321 1310132,133110,113118 Co ma in M. and C. TyphaTriglochin latifolia palustris Marsh k-t k 13t k2 62,64 712 35 80,01,83,85,9372,92,97 35 12 116,130 103 Occasional CamentsIVeronica denotes anq.-aquaticaarespecies take not from found; NO (1977). M Marsh - denotes that the meal preference is (04 k demotes t t 1 1 tbat the gwies is met rare along the canal. 3 1 113 Frequent inbut C. local N CHAPTER 4. EAM 0

N 4.1 NANN =

No special study of mammals was undertaken butdob ervations made during the other ecological surveys were reoor '

Bats A search was made without success in June 1990 forbat roosts under a number of bridges in the westernsection of the canal. The ' conclusion reached was that most bridges are unsuitable for bat roosts because they are too narrow and there are notsufficient crevices. Bats are regularly seen hunting for insects over the canal at dusk in summer but they were not identifiedto species. Red Squirrel Sciurus vula^ ri s , A single individual was seen on the canal bank nearBlackshade Bridge, Co. Meath. This species is normally found only in ioodland bordering the canal. rox yulpes vulms A single fox vas disturbed in long grass on thecanal bank between Bilcock and McLoughlin Bridge on 24 May 1990. , Nisk Mustela vison A single sink was seen swimding in the canal westof Moyvalley Bridge in August 1990. This introduced species is probably now widespread in the watered sections of the canal. It has been blamed 1 for declines in populations of nesting moorhen but there isno direct evidence for this. . Otter Lutra lutra Although no sightings have been recorded on the canal otterspraints (droppings) were found at several places, usually on the towpath 1 under bridges. This species probably feeds on the fish in the canal and in adjacent rivers and streams. It prefers to breed an areas where bankside tree roots support the underwater exit to aholt. 0 1

r qq 1 1 M

1 4.2 DIM 0 4.2.1 Introduction 0 1 The overall objective of the bird surveys was to documentthe breeding and wintering bird communities on the Royal Canal andto relate their distribution and abundance to management practices. I Previous knowledge of the birds was confined to a singlesample survey carried.out in the autumn of 1989 by P. Buckley(RCS 1989). 0 4.2.2Nslhg" 1 Two separate methods were used in the breeding bird surveys. Firstly, three study areas were chosen to represent the three 0 management units on the canal. These study areas included a total 1 of 25km of canal (approximately 16% of its entire length). The dimensions and general habitat characteristics of theseareas are 0 given in Table 4.1. Each of these study areas was visited six times 1 during the breeding season from mid-April to early Julyat intervals of approximately 14 days. All visits were made by one observer on M foot or by bicycle. All territorial birds seen or heard within the canal boundaries of these study areaswere plotted on visit maps. 1 At the end of the fieldwork all registrationswere transferred to 0 species maps. In the analysis three or more registrations ofa species in the same location was regardedas a confirmed territory. For summer migrants (many of which donot begin breeding until May) 0 two or more registrations in the same locationwas regarded as a confirmed territory. 1 Secondly, two complete censuses of riparian birdsonly were carried out on the entire canal, one in late May andthe second in late June-early July. These census visits involved a team of volunteer 0 1 observers and were carried outon foot or by bicycle. The three study areas mentioned above were included in thecomplete census visits allowing a check to be madeon the accuracy of the census 0 1 results. Finally, two complete censuses of wintering waterfowlwere carried M 1 out on the entire canal, one in each of themonths November and December. N 4.2.3 RtmLUa 1 Riparian species are those which are wholly dependenton the canal as a waterway during the breeding season. The results of the two complete breeding season censuses allow populationestimates to be 1 made for five key riparian speciesas shown in Table 4.2. Other riparian species were recordedon the canal but were not confirmed M as breeding there. Reed Bunting= is generally associated withwet 1 habitats but is not confined to them. It is treated as a.non- riparian species in this survey 0 1 0 s 1 iadreat fto a os all Dseedin Wd speodes we gins in Tablas 4.2ead 4.3. 0 1 0 0 1 /00 0 The estimated populations of all non-riparian speciescensused in . the three study areas are given in Table 4.3.These are almost all found breeding in the hedgerows, scrub and occasionalwoodlands which border the canal. For comparative purposes the results for all study areas are presented as the number of territoriesper lOkm length of canal. . 4.2.4 Disaussion 1 Ai gariaa species In general the populations of riparian species on the RoyalCanal are low in number of species and in termsof density of breeding 1 territories. Certain riparian species ccmoonly found breeding on lowland rivers in Ireland are conspicuously absent. These include Common Sandpiper Tringa hvnol, eucoa. Kingfisher Alcedo atthis and Sand Martin -r'a rim, all of which require bare earth or gravel banks for nesting. Dipper Cinclus cinclus could nest under the many bridges on the canal but it requires fast-movingwater in which to feed. Coot Fulicra atra and Tufted Duck Xah3m fuligula_ which occasionally nest on rivers, are probably absent because of the limited area and depth of water in the canalfor feeding.

Those species which do nest are present in very lownumbers by conpariaon with other canals (Marchant and Hyde, 1980; Briggs, 1988). The highest densities for all species (with the exception 1 of Grey Wagtail) are found in Unit II which offersa combination of open water, thick marginal vegetation and undisturbedbanks with overhanging trees. Individual species are discussed below: 1

The Mallard is a difficult species to census because malesare only loosely territorial and they have a prolonged breeding season. The breeding population on the Royal Canal was assessed on thebasis of territorial males present in the complete census in late Mayand , additional broods present in June and July.

The total breeding population is estimated at 11 pairs witha ' heavily clumped distribution. The majority were in three areas - Dublin City, Maynooth and Ballymahon areas with isolated pairs in the Ballynaoarrigy and Abbeyshrule areas. , As well as breeding pairs there were small flooks ofnon-breeding mallard present throughout the year. The largest number of nom breeders were recorded in the Dublin City area where theysupplement ' their diet with artificial food. The total number of Mallard (including breeding pairs) on the Dublin sections of the canal between the second and eighth looks varied between 18 and22 ' throughout the year. The only other area where artificial feeding regularly attracts a small flock of Mallard is the harbourat Maynooth.

Mute Swan ' There are at least seven bre territories for Mute Swans an the

Royal Canal as shown in Table 4. . The overall density at 0.5 ' 0

tot N 1 0 0 1 pairs/l0ka is low by comparison with populations on canals in Britain. Regular census work on 17 sample plots in Britain totalling 75ka in length gave an average of 1.5 pairs/10ka(Marchant M and Hyde, 1980). The Montgomery Canal held 8 breeding pairs in 56ka (average 1.4 pairs/km)(Briggs, 1988). A lower average density (1.2 pairs/10ka) was found in a sample of 8 disused canalsin Britain 0 (totalling 35.5 km in length) (Marohant and Hyde, 1980). UnitII provides the optimum breeding conditions on the Royal Canal withan average of 1.2 main attractions here are adequate 0 open water for safety, an abundance of aquatic plants forfeeding and nest sites which are secure from disturbance.

Table 4.4 gives historical data for three of the territories(R. Collins, porn comm) which shows that these territories are usedfor breeding every year with varying degrees of success. The most M consistently successful territory is that at Maynooth where the nest is built on an artificial island created by the OPWin the harbour. The pair at Coolnahay attempted to breed in 1990 ona raft floating in the harbour having deserted an earlier nest on thecanal bank due to disturbance. In the other territories the nests are built on the banks of the canal where they are regularly prone todisturbance and 0 predation. A Fox Vulnee vu M was recorded on the canalbank within 500a of the nest site at Kilcock shortly afterhatching. N Of the seven pairs which attempted to breed on thecanal in 1990, five (71%) succeeded in hatching young. This is close to the average hatching success (76%) found by Collins (1990) for 34canal M 1 nests in the Dublin area. The exact reasons for breeding failure in the remaining two pairs is unknown but it is suspectedthat disturbance to the nests was involved. Collins (1990) found a 0 higher rate of egg loss from nests in urban areas(41%) compared with rural locations (17$) but no other significant differences in breeding success. 0 1 The distribution of breeding territories along the canalmay also be influenced by the availability of food. Swana are entirely 0 vegetarian, feeding mainly on the leaves and stems of submerged aquatic plants such as crowfoot Ranunculus and pondweed Potaaogeton. Emergent vegetation is not often taken but the stems andleaves of a 0 few species are sometimes eaten (Birkhead and Perrino, 1986). In areas such as Maynooth where dredging has reduced the abundanceof submerged agoatio plants the swans are clearly supplementing their N diet with artificial food supplied by local people. There are, however, sons good natural feeding areas, such as the Mullingarto 1 Ballinea area, which hold considerable numbers ofswans in winter. 0 A pair of Mute Suns was present here in May19" but no breeding was attempted. This is probably due simply to the absence of a secure nest site. 0

It is suggested that artificial islands could be easily createdat several locations to increase the chances of breedingsuccess in 1 existing territories and to provide the focus for new territories. Suitable sites might include Spencer Doak in Dublin. Kilcook 0 M

102 M M Harbour, Thomastown Harbour, theWboiir at Scanlan's Bridge in MnllingarBallinea Bridge Harbour, Coolnahay Harbour, Ballinacarrigy Harbour, Ballybrannigan Harbour,Archie's Bridge Harbour, F'oygh Bridge Harbour, Mosstown Harbour,and Richmond Harbour. A total of 6 individuals or pairs of non-breeding swans were also present on the canal during the springof 1990.

Most of the established breeding pairs maintainedtheir.territories during the winter period. Additional pairs without young were present in November and December near BinnsBridge in Dublin, near ' Downs Bridge in Westmeath and near the Green Bridgein Mullin= The only sizeable flock of wintering swans in 1990 wasfound in November in the 2km section west of Mullingar.The peak count here ' . was 24 birds including 7 juveniles. The origins of most of these winter swans is unknownexcept for one ringed bird (4BY) which was present in the flock atMullin=in ' November. It was hatched at the nest at Binn's Bridgein Dublin in 1989 and was the only one of the offspring ofthat pair to !ledge that year (see Table 4.4). On 4 October 1990 it was with a flock of ' swans on the Liffey at Inchacore, Dublin and so itis likely that other unmarked birds in the Mullingar flock may also haveoriginated in Dublin (R. Collins, pers comm.).

Moorhon . The total breeding population on the Royal Canal is estimatedat 62 ' pairs in 1990 (Table 4.2). This is based on the census in June when , many broods had hatched and were more obviousthan than at any other time in the season. This gives an overall density of 4 pairs/10ka. This is extremely low by comparison with a sample of17 canals in Britain which held an average of 30 pairs/10ka (Marchant andHyde, ' 1980) and a lowland river and disused canal system inNorthern Ireland which held 50 pairs/lOkm (Bailey, 1982).

The highest densities of Moorhen on the Royal Canal werefound in ' Unit II which provided both open water for feeding andmarginal vegetation for nesting and cover from predators (Table 4.2). Table ' 4.5 gives some comparative data on Moorhen from two studyareas, one each in Units I and II. Optimum conditions occurred in the 5ka section from Mullingar-Bellmont Bridge with an average density of 30 ' pairs/lOks. This section is not yet open to navigation and hasnot been recently dredged. It has abundant submerged aquatic plants and a wide (up to 2m) fringe of emergent vegetation onboth banks. Marchant and Hyde (1980) also found higher densities of Moorhen ' territories on disused canals in Britain compared to used canals attributing this to the greater degree of cover provided bydisused waterways. Taylor (1984) found that, following management works on the Grand Union canal in England, the number of Moorhenterritories was reduced by 25%. The absence of low branches on overhanging trees and the slow spring growth of emergent vegetation following dredging were considered to be the main factors which restrictedand delayed the breeding of buds on the managed stretches. Caapbe11

1 0 M 1 (1988) found a 65% reduction in Moorhen territories after heavy engineering works on an English lowland river. M Grey Waet ail The total breeding population of Grey Wagtail on the RoyalCanal is estimated at 21 pairs (Table 4.2). The peak count ofthis species was recorded on the first census in May which probablycoincided with the fledging of first broods (Tyler, 1972). Breeding territories were commonly associated with bridges and looks where fast-flowing water occurred. Nests were often built in holes in the masonry or on tree roots growing out of the canalbanks. M Grey Wagtail is a widespread breeding species on fast-flowing rivers and strejims but is relatively uncommon on canals. The highest 0 densities of 6-8 pairs/lOkm are found on rivers with agradient in excess of 5m/km. On slower rivers the average density is about 3-4 pairs/lOkm (Marehant and Hyde, 1980). The overall density on the 0 Royal Canal at 1.4 pairs/lOkm is limited by the availabilityof suitable nest sites and feeding areas. On long level stations few territories occured while in the series of eight locks near8illucan 0 five territories were concentrated in 4km of canal. The lowest density of territories was found in the western section ofthe canal where there is little flowing water and where most ofthe locks are 0 disused. Sedge Warbler 0 A total of 34 Sedge Warbler territories was recorded duringthe complete census in May with the majority in Units Iand II (Table 4.2). However comparison with the results from the intensive study 1 areas (Table 4.3) indicates that this is a substantial underestimate of the true population. Territorial birds are usually located by their song. Peaks of aong in the populationare highly synchronised 0 and of short duration. Thus, without frequent census visits it is I easy to underestimate the population. The highest density of Sedge Warbler recorded was 12 territories in 8 km (15/lOkm) between 0 Ballynaearrigy and Abbeyehrule. Marehant and Hyde (1980) found a higher density of Sedge Warbler on disused canals (7.5 territories/lOkm) compared to used canals (5.4 territories/lOkm). 0

Other non-breeding r'- ia_n ane^, Heron Ardea ainerea use many parts of the canal systemfor feeding M but there are no nesting colonies within the canal corridor. They prefer to feed in shallow water pools such asoccur in parts of Unit 1 III or on the gently shelving banks whichare ccoa in Unit II. The canal between Leixlip and Maynooth is extensively used byHerons as there is a breeding colony in the nearby CartonEstate. No Snipe Gallinaa^callinaao nests were recordedon the canal itself but there were a number of territories on neighbouring land. Territorial birds were distinguished by their aerial drumming display during the census in May. A total of 12 territories were recorded in May all in the area west of Moyvalley. The most frequent occurrence of Snipe was in the vicinity of raisedbogs such M 1 as those north of Ballymahon. 0 1 104 0 There were individual sightings of Kingfisher Alcedo atthis on the M canal around Leixlip and Abbsyshrule but no breeding territories were confirmed. These are likely to have been breeding birds from the nearby rivers (Ryewater and Inny respectively)which 0 occasionally feed on the canal. Vertical sand or earth banks suitable for nesting by Kingfishers are absent onthe Royal Canal. For similar reasons Sand Martins Riuaria iua^is did not breed on 0 the goyal Canal. However, there are nearby breedingcolonies in the fly to feed on the Mullingar and Abbeyshrule areas from which birds 1 E canal. Non-riparian speoies Total number of breeding territories estimated fornon-riparian 1 0 species are given in Table 4.3 for three study areas,one in each of the three management units I,II and III. Each of the study areas (figQ ) included a 10km length of canal, with the exception ofStudy Area 3 0 which, due to difficulties of access, included only 5km. For comparative purposes results for all study areas arepresented in E Table 4.3 in terms of territories per 10km. 1 The species in Table 4.3 are ranked in order ofthe total number of territories estimated for 30km of canal. The breeding bird 0 community is dominated by five species, Robin, Blackbird,Wren, Willow Warbler and Chaffinch, which together account for some79% of all territories. The community structure is very similar to that found in 5 farmland census plots around Limerick (Lysaght, 1989) except that Dunnock occupied a higher position inthe latter study. The species diversity was very similar in both studies whenriparian E species were included.

The canal may be considered as a double line ofhedgerows crossing E the country although in places there are sizeable gaps especially where the canal crosses areas of raised bog. It is surprising that the species diversity and population density are both lowest inArea N 3 which has the most continuous cover of trees. Of the more typical woodland species both Song Thrush andBullfinch were more co=on in the dry sections of Area 3 but Chaffinch was conspicuouslyscarce E here. Both Blue Tit and Great Tit, which require older treesfor their hole-nests, were relatively low in the community structure M overall. A breeding colony of Rook Corvus frugil2as was located onthe edge of the canal in Study Area 1 but this wasexcluded from the analysis. A number of additional species were recorded in thecanal corridor but were not considered to hold territories there. These included Kestrel Falco tinnunculus. Sparrowhawk Acc piter nisus. N Redshank Tringa totanus. Black-headed Gull Swallow 1 Hirundo rustiea, House Martin Delichon urbica. and Starling 3sy = N vulQaris. 0 1 E N 105 0 r r r r r r r min Royal Canal Figure 4.1. Study areas for the non-riparian breeding birds census of 1

1 0 4.2.5 Overall Rvaluation As a habitat for birds at present the Royal Canalis relatively 1 unexceptional. The diversity and density of breeding birds is low N especially on the heavily managed stretches of Unit I andthe dry and overgrown sections in Unit III. Unit II offers the greatest variety and density of birds because it combines open water, N abundant aquatic and emergent plant cover and overhanging trees. N M 1 1 0

M 1 0 M

M 0 0 1 N M 0 M 1

103 1 0 N 1 0 1 Table 4.1Study areas for breeding bird census on the Royal 0 Canal, 1990. 0 No. Limits Length Habitats (km) E

1 1. Blackshade Bridge to 10 Recently dredged. D'Arcys Bridge Nearby bog and woodland. E

2. Green Bridge, Mullingar 10 Not recently dredged. to Coolnahay Harbour Good marginal fringe. 0-

3. Drapers Bridge to 5 Dewatered except around Fowlards Bridge locks. Dense emergent 0 vegetation and continuous hedges. E 0 1 Table 4.2Breeding populations of riparian bird species (pairs) and density of territories (pairs/10km) on the Royal Canal, 1990. 0

Species Unit I Unit II Unit III Total' E 1 (72km) (43km) (39km) (IS4km) pr !r/i Onjr F/1 Odpr 9rIl Onpr pr/l On N

Mallard 3 0.4 5 1.2 3 0.8 11 0.7 0

Mute swan 2 0.3 5 1.2 0 0 7 0.5 eses olar

Moorhen 22 3.0 32 7.4 8 2.0 62 4.0 E

Grey wagtail 13 1.8 6 1.4 1 0.3 21 1.4 E

Sedge warbler 16 2.2 16 3.7 2 0.5 34 2.2 0 2 E 109 E N Table 4.3Breeding territories of non-riparian birds on the ' Royal Canal (figures in pairs/l0ks). E Study Areas 1 2 3 Total E Length of Study Area 10km 10km 10kmA 30km 1 E Robin Erithacus rubeoula 64 61 72 197 Blackbird Turdus merula 49 82 52 183 E Wren Trgglodytes trot^ytes 58 53 60 171 Willow Warbler Phyll^oscoous troch 35 46 46 127 0 Chaffinch Frincilla coelebs 38 46 10 94 1 Song Thrush Turdus nhilomelos 7 11 18 36 E Sedge Warbler Acroceuhalus schoen 8 9 6 23 1 Chiffchaff Phylloscogus collybita 13 9 0 22 E Wood Pigeon Columba a 9 6 4 19 1 Bullfinch Pyrrhula BYrrhula 0 6 10 16 0 Blue Tit Parus caeruleus 1 7 8 16 Magpie Pica o 6 5 2 13 N Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 2 2 4 8 Hooded Crow Comma corona 6 0 2 8 0 Great Tit Parus maims 4 3 0 7 Greenfinch Carduslis chloris 2 5 0 7 E Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 5 1 0 6 Yellowhammer Emberiza calandra 2 3 0 5 N Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 1 3 0 4 Cuckoo plus cancrus 4 0 0 4 1 E Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 2 1 0 3

Linnet ' 3 0 0 3 0 Meadow Pipit Anthus Mtensia 0 2 0 2 Dunnock Prunella modularis 0 1 0 1

0 Whitethroat $,ylvia commnnis 1 0 0 1

Total pairs 320 362 294 976 ' Total number of species 22 21 13 25

Results for Study Area 3 are given in pairsllOks for

1 0 104 0 M M M ?able 4.4Bate Swan breeding territories on the Royal Canal 0 No. Nest Location Year Ring No. Outcome (Grid Reference) N F 0

1. Binn's Bridge, Dublin 1987 2DN x WD Eggs infertile. 0 159 360 1988 21D x 2ZF Nest vandalised. Replacement clutch destroyed 2ZF killed by dog M 1989 21D x 2UH 7 eggs. 1 young. 2UH died. 1990 21D x UL 8 eggs. 4 young.

2. Broom Bridge, Dublin 1988 2TN x 3TP Nested. 3 young. M 0 132 352 1989 same pair Adults oiled in February. No breeding. 1990 same pair Nest failed. 3TP killed in November. M

3. 0 Maynooth Harbour 1986 IBS x 2B1 9 e ggs. 5 young. N 937 373 1987 same pair 10 eggs. 8 young 1988 same pair 9 eggs. 5 young. 1989 same pair 7 eggs. clutch 0 lost - flooded 1990 same pair 9 eggs. 1 young M

4. McLochlin Bridge,Kilcock 1990 unringed > 1 young N 860 415 M

5. Coolahay Harbour 1990 unringed Early nest N 355 540 abandoned. Late i nest on raft with 0 3 eggs. Deserted. I 6 BalroeBr., Ballynavarrigy 1990 unringed 5 young N 320580 0 7. Bog Bridge, Abbsyshrule 1990 unringed Nest on canal N 245 595 abandoned. Later a 1 nested on R. Iany SourSe: Pre-1990 data from R. Collins M 1 0 ' 110 M M 0

. 1/- ; 0:0 ,Y.N _ 1 M 4.3.1 INTRODUCTION 1 0 Up to 1990 little was known of the invertebrate lifein the Royal Canal. Considering the large number of invertebrate groups and the short time available for this study it was decided toconowntrate on 1 those aquatic invertebrates which could be used as indicators of species richness and which would therefore provide a baseline fer future monitoring. A sample survey of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) was carried out in 1990. Previous sampling of water t M beetles (Coleoptera) and freshwater snails (Hollusca) in restricted sections of the canal were summarised by the relevant specialistsin N the following sections.

a 1 M E M M M M 1 N

0 a 0 1 M ill 0 1 M 1 0 1 0 4.3.2DRAGORFLISS AND DAMSELFLIES Introduction M Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) were selected for study on the 1 canal because there are relatively few species recorded in Ireland (24 in total of which 9 are rare)(Hammond 1983). Disadvantages M include the difficulty of identifying species in flight and the relatively short flight period in some species. 0 Methods Three separate approaches to the survey were adopted. The first was a search of the database of the Irish Odonata RecordingScheme for M species recorded from the Royal Canal. This produced a large number of records with six-figure grid reference some dating back tothe 1940s. Secondly, a field survey was undertaken during June toAugust 0 1990 to establish the species present under various management regimes. In view of the total length of the canal (150km)and the 1 short flight period it was decided to concentrate on anumber of a study areas which were considered to be representative of thefull range of management regimes on the canal. Thirdly, a special study was made of a section of the canal at Clonsilla,Co. Dublin for which there was good historical data, in order tomeasure the rate of recovery of Odonata species after dredging in 1989. 0 1 Species were identified in the adult stage, either in flightor at rest on vegetation,or on the ground. When doubt existed aboutthe identification of the species, individuals were captured ina net 1 for closer examination and subsequently released. The primary reference work was Hammond (1983). Where relevant a note was made of copulating adults or ovipositing females which provide positive M evidence of breeding at the location in question. Study Areas a Five study areas were chosen for sampling. These are shown on t Figure 4.2 and their habitat characteristicsare summarised in Table M 4.6. Each study area was lkm in length and included thechannel, one bank, towpath and boundary. Two of the study areas were in the watered but disused section of the canal west of Mullingar(Unit II) M and the remaining three were in the dredged and navigablesection between Mullingar and Dublin (Unit I).

Each of the five study areas was visited three timesat intervals a spread throughout July and August 1990. Days with warm, calm weather were chosen where possible as the maximum number ofspecies M and individuals fly in such conditions. June 1990 was unusually wet and cold and fieldwork had to be abandoned on severaloccasions. a BOARL M 1 neeies recorded A total of 13 species of Odonata has been recordedfrom the Royal r 1 Canal as shown in Table 4.5. None of these species is rare in Ireland although two species, Symoetrum sanauineum and Srachytron M 111 a m o m RoyalM Canal. Figure 4.2. Studg areas for survey of dragonflies and damselflies 1 0 M pratense are local in distribution and the latter israre in Britain (Hamoond 1983). This species list comprisesover half the species M known from Ireland and all of thecommon species except for Orthetrum coerulescens_ Symfletrum scoticum andCalon^yxc vir= a 0 Table 4.5. Odonata records from the Royal Canal 0 IBRC Species Navigable Watered Dewatered code sections sections sections UNIT I UNIT II UNIT III 0 . 0103 Calopteryx sFlendens 0404 Lenten 9R2&m 1 0601 $yrrhosoma nymo_1+ula 0 a 0801 Iohnura elegana 0901 a 1006 Coma ion nu 1 nhel lnm 0 0 0 1007 Coed ion juella . . M 2101 A*_achy on nratense 0 2204 Aeshna juncea 0 1 2207 Aeahna grandis 3204 i-ibel_luls 0 0 0

3803 Symcetr, str.'olatum . O

3810 O .

Total number of species

1990 records

o pre-1990 records from the Irish OdonataRecording Scheme M Navigable sections: Clonsilla to Mullingar 0 Watered sections: Liffey to Clonsilla &Ad Mullingarto Abbeyshrule

aM tered sectio s: Abbeyshrule to Shannon M IBC each: Computor code of Irish Biological RecordsCentre M

1 114 a 0 Eleven of the species shown in Table 4.5 were recordedin 1990. The N remaining two were last recorded in theIrish Odonata Recording Scheme prior to 1986 when the present programme ofcanal restoration 1 began. Of these Coenacr nulchellum was the mostwidespread E species being recorded from a total of 5 sitesspread thoughout the three management units. The similarity of thisspecies to C. nun suggests that it may have been overlookedin 1990. The second species Tibellula gIad_r+ymculatawas previously recorded from Units I and II in a total of 5 sites. This is a large and relatively distinctive species which is unlikely to have beenoverlooked in 1 0 1990. a Among the species not yet recorded on the RoyalCanal is Lostes 1 d=swhich is rare and declining throughout its range inBritain It has been recorded from only a few and Ireland' (Noore 1980). N sites in Ireland including one on the Grand Canal atRobertstown. 1 Here it is found at the dry and of adisused arm of the canal among reeds Phracmites australis and reedmace h latifol a (B. Nelson, 0 in litt.). Similar habitats on the Royal Canal wereinvestigated in 1 1990 but only the common and closely-related speciesL. sp2u& was found. It is worth noting that N.W. Moore, who has studiedL. s E in some detail, visited the Royal Canal in 1986 withoutrecording 1 the species.

0 Presence/absence in study areas Table 4.6 shows the distribution of the ten speciesrecorded in the five study areas in 1990 together with one additional species 0 recorded outside the study areas. There was considerable variation in the number of species recorded at each study areaalthough each received even coverage. The study area with the greatest number of N species (8) was at Ballinea although the Coolnahayand Moyvalley study areas showed almost as great a diversity with 7species each. 1 E No species of Odonata was recorded at the study areain Maynooth. Recovery of Odonata after A special effort was made to record the species presentin 1990 in E the study area lkm west of Callaghan Bridge in Clonsilla,Co. Dublin. This area had been the subject of detailed recordingin previous years from 1977 to 1983 when five species wererecorded 1 0 (J.Shackleton, in litt.). The canal was dredged in April 1989 and the spoil spread on one bank. A total of five visits was made in July and August 1990 but only three species were recorded(Table 1 N 4.7). This included one species Calo_q a splen= previously unrecorded from the area but excluded three species which were previously known from the site. Of these, Braghy rcn jMatem is E generally an early-flying species and may have been missed during the bad weather in June.However F* i®a MmthigZ= and Ighmaa 0 were considered to have been genuinelyabsent. 0 E 115 0

1 M M

Table 4.6. Distribution of adult Odonataon the Royal Canal in 1990. 1-1 Study Areas Species 1 2 3 4 5 1 s Srachytron pratensw i Aeshna junoea Asshna cra^ ds 3ymnetrum strielatum Symostrum sanguineum 0 aRle ndens Lestes snow sa M nJUIR +la . Ichnura EnA AM 20t i war a Coenaion +a la

Total number of species 7 8 7 3 0 1

Study Areas 1. Coa hs rbour: Partly watered; dense emergentvegetation; few trees; undredged; herbicides used April1990; water depth 700mm. M 2. Hallinea Sridce: Open water; emergent vegetation; overhanging 1 trees; undredged; herbicides used April 1990;water depth 700mm. 3. Mowalley Skid": Open water; sparse emergent vegetation;few trees; dredged May 1990; herbicides used April1990; water depth 1 1400=. 4. kidoe: Open water; sparse emergent vegetation; t overhanging trees; dredged April 1989; spoillevelled September 1 1989; herbicides used April 1990;water depth 1400mm. 5 N=ooth Harbour: Open water; no emergent vegetation;no trees; dredged April 1988; spoil levelled April1990; herbicides used April 1990; water depth 1400mm. 1. Outside study areas: M a 2 1

116 M M 1 M t 0 1 M Table 4.7. Adult Odonata recorded in the Callaghan Bridge study area before and one year after dredging. .s Before* After M Species (1982-83) (1990) M Hraohyt^on orate nae 0 0 Aeshna grandis 1 Svmnetrum striolatum 0 CalgRteMm anledens 0 1 EnallagM 0 Iohnura elegans 0 M 1 M Total number of species 5 3

indicates presence o indicates unrecorded in three visits x 1982-83 records supplied by J. Shackleton. a Discussion U QCUMMaRr1BQE 1 M The Odonata of Scragh Bog, Co. Westmeath, a small (a.23ha)valley fen approximately 6km north of the Royal Canal, have beendescribed by Speight and Legrand (1984). Here 13 species were also found with 11 species in common between the fen and the canal. The two species 1 M found at Scragh Bog but not on the Royal Canalwere Jaghw=L Bam11iQ, a rare species associated with bog pools (EW=ond 1983), and Coanacrion lunulatum. a rare species also found in peatlandsand 1 only recently added to the Irish list (Cotton 1982). 0 There are no other published studies of Odonata on canalsystems in 1 Ireland but a survey of the Montgomery Canal in England/Malesin 1983-1988 gave comparable results (Mistow 1989). This canal was 0 also partly disused but contained water for 44km of itstotal 57km length. The Montgomery Canal contained 14 species of which 5 are unrecorded in Ireland. Of the remaining 9 species 8 haw been recorded on the Royal Canal. The unrecorded species, gaffim -wiNQ, vas considered by Wistow (1989) to have vandered fromfast flowing streams which pass under the Montgomery Canal and notto have bred there. M 117 E a 1 0

A survey of Odonata on the Gwent and Somerset Levelsand doors, another still-water habitat, found a total of 17 species, ofwhich E only 12 are recorded from Ireland (Drake 1987). The correlation between the species lists for these sites and the RoyalCanal is high with 11 species in common. The only Irish species found on the a Gwent and Somerset Levels and not on the Royal Canalwas Orthetrum canaellatum and this was rare on the former sites.

Given the intensity of the surveys on the Montgomery Canaland the Gwent and Somerset Levels and Moors this suggests that thespecies recorded from the Royal Canal are typical of a canalsystem in f Ireland which contains a range of still-water habitats butno exceptional features. The Nature Conservancy Council considers any site in Britain north of the Severn Estuary to theThames Estuary 0 containing 12 or more species of Odonata to be anoutstanding assemblage worthy of protection as a Site of Special Scientific 1 Interest (Anon. 1989). In view of the relative paucity of the Irish N dragonfly fauna this suggests that the Royal Canal hasa reasonably diverse community at present. a heertant habitat features on the canal All species of Odonata are dependant on b= the conditionof their aquatic breeding site and the nature of the surroundingarea frequented by the adults (Chelmick et al 1980). The distribution of species between the five study areas (Table 4.6) demonstratessome preferences for certain habitat features. s Emergent veQet^ ation: The complete absence ofemergent vegetation at 0 Maynooth was probably the most unfavourable factor for allspecies. 1 Two speciesBrachytron pratenaae_ and Symnet » aanguineus1were found only at Coolnahay and Ballinea where the water depthwas less than a 700mm and where there was dense submerged andemergent vegetation. 1 The latter species is known to havean association with the plants burreedDar and bulrush JjRbA (Chelmick et al 1980) whichare E abundant at both sites. Aeshna juncea was recorded onlyat Coolnahay 1 at the dryest end of the canal where a poolof water surrounds a disused look (no. 28). In Britain it is known to prefer well-reeded 0 ponds in coniferous woodland (Hammond 1983).

1 Bankside trees: The absence of bankside trees at Maynoothmay also t have been a negative factor for most speciesas shelter from the wind is important to the adults andopen windswept sites are rarely 1 important (Chelmick et al 1980). A significant difference between the study areas 3 and 4 was the presence ofwell-spaced trees on both banks at Moyvalleyleaving ample sheltered, sunny patches while at Clonsilla the trees had been completely removedfrom the 1 north bank but were tall and overhangingon the south bank creating dense shade on this half of the canal. r i Bare around: vsinetrus striolatun was recorded only in studyareas 3 and -4 and most frequentlyseen resting on patches of bare ground which were plentiful on the dredging spoil spreadon the canal N

lit 0 1

banks. This species is known to favour patches of bare ground . M (HamIDOnd 1983) which were completely absent in study areas 1and 2. 1 Effects of canal management M The most obvious effects of canal management on the Odonatawere seen in Maynooth where all emergent vegetation and allbankside trees had been removed within the preceding two years. This area M was unsuitable for recolonisation by all species. Dredging was probably the most important factor in restricting $yIpLL= fianemin to study areas 1 and 2 which were undredged andcontained 1 M abundant emergent vegetation. The only record of this species from the presently dredged area (Unit I) was from an areaeast of Maynooth in 1948. The retention of a sparse growth of emergent 1 vegetation andoccasional bankside trees at Moyvalley has clearly increased the range of species which can survive after dredging (Table 4.6). Recovery of the fauna at Clonsilla, one year after 0 dredging, is only partial and the absence of two smallspecies 1 Enalla2athigerum and Iohnura ela^ here may be due to the 0 absence of shelter on the north bank and the denseshade, reducing the growth of emergent plants on the south bank (Table4.7). I 0 0 1 8 M 1 M 1 1

1 r 1

119 1 0

1 a FRESHWATER MOLLUSES by DECLAN DOOGUE a 1 4.3.3. Introduction Between 1975 and1983 collections offreshwater M molluscs were made along the Royal Canal inV.C. 1 Dublin (H.21) and Kildare (H.19). The initial impetus for this research was provided by the accidental discoverty of therare freshwater snail, M x s 1 glutinosa, a single freshly-dead shell of whichwas discovered in the canal near Ashtown. Attempts were a made subsequently to determine therange of this 1 species both locally and further afield. In the process, numerous samples were taken from twenty sites 0 in the two counties andmost of thematerial encountered inthe course of thisfieldwork was 1 retained for further examination. This report is 0 founded on an analysis of that separate material,most of which was collected in 1980, 1981 and1982. 1 0 Limitations

1 Because of the opportunist nature of fieldworkand the a variation in sampling techniques on different occasions, quantitative comparisons ofthe molluscan fauna of individual sitesare invalid. The main M 1 thrust of earlier sampling, mainly in Co. Dublin,was directed towards gastropods, and in particularthe search for x s clutinosa. As a consequence small 0 1 bivalves are not well represented insome samples. Despite these shortcomingsa preliminary analysis of the material is possible. A base-line of limited N value is provided against which the impactof recent dredging operations can, at least in part, be assessed. a 1 Field Methods a Collecting by pond nets anda variety of sieves of 1 varying mesh size was conducted fromthe bank or vegetation fringe.Site selection was determinedmore M by factors such as accessibility andsafety than scientificobjectivity. Ingeneral, siteswere 1 selected either because theyincludeda band of emergent vegetation or because the true aquaticflora of theareawaswellrepresented. Opportunist 1 collecting also took place in thecourse of other M unrelated fieldwork. 1 In a number of cases,a grab was employed to haul M vegetationfrom the centre ofthe canal. This material was swirled in a basin in orderto dislodge adhering gastropods. These were subsequently M 1 extracted by passing the water througha fine sieve. Recent canal cleanings were also examined. a 1 These

1ao cleanings consisted in the main of vegetablematter , that had accumulated around lock gates, beenremoved and placed on the bank. This proved to be a rich source of gastropod material but contained few ' bivalves. More intensivedredging, related to engineering operations, at Louisa Bridge and Maynooth produced material from the canal bed which included , vast numbers of Sphaerium, Pisidium and occasional i Anodonta juveniles. Material was killed using boiling water, left to dry , naturally and subsequently stored in cardboard boxes. A few of the larger gatherings were killed by the above method and stored, unsorted in 70% Alcohol. , Identification

Specimens were identified to species level usingMacan (1969) for gastropods and Ellis (1978) for bivalves. Nomenclature follows Ross (1984).

Fewdifficultieswereencountered inidentifying gastropod material. Juvenile Bithvnia tentaculatawas separated from $. leachi,using a combination of "umbillicus almost completely closed"vs. "umbillicus open", as well as the more usual suture characters.

Several of the larger populations of Planorbis carinatus contained individuals whose keelposition . and aperture character were reminiscent of Planorbis Planorbis. No pure P. Planorbis material was ' encountered in the canal, although typical material is . known from Kildare water-bodies unconnectedto the Royal Canal. Accordingly, all keeled ramshorns of a this species-pair were classifiedas P. carinatus. Among the mussels, all juvenile Anodonta materialwas assigned to A. cvanea on the basis of the posterior 1 N adductor muscle character illustratedon P.73 of Ellis (1978). (Young material cannot be distinguished reliably on shell outline characters). Mature N specimens of the genus Sphaerium presented no 1 difficulties although juvenile material required careful examination of the hinge teeth. Pisidium E however was more difficult.A small sample, selected on the basis of shell morphologyand external sculpturing was taken form each gathering. These 0 specimens were subsequently identified using characters of the ligament pit and hinge teeth. This 1 was particularly necessary for the minute species (< E 2 mm). Smaller material was not identified. 1 The Soeoies

A commentary is provided basedon the performance of thespecieswithinthestudyarea. Additional observations, based on the results of theauthor's independent fieldwork are also included where 0 1 0 1 appropriate. Valvata cristata 1 When present, it can occur in great numbers, particularly in water with a mixture of true aquatics and emergent flora.

1 Valvata viscinalis Similar in habitat preference to V.cristata, but 1 within the Royal Canal, seldom as common. Potamopvraus ienkinsi 1 This species has spread in the last century throughout Ireland. It is however most characteristic of small streams where it is often abundant. It is therefore 1 something of a surprise to realise its comparative rarity in the Royal Canal. It may belong to the so- called "slum" group of species, none of which is well 1 represented in the canal.These constitute a group of species that inhabit temporary pools and can tolerate occasional periods of desiccation. Their numbers 1 often fluctuate spectacularly from year to year. Bithvnia tentaculata M 1 Abundant throughout the canal, usually one of the three dominant gastropods, in terms of numbers as well as biomass, both among emergent vegetation and in more 1 open-water conditions. Bithvnia e c M

1 Present in small quantities throughout the study area, but most common at sites with a well-developed true aquatic flora. 1 ,&plexa hhypnorum 0 1 A single individual of this species was found in the Croke Park stretch of the canal. No other specimens, M - not even dead shells were encountered elsewhere. It is often found in large numbers in temporary water- 1 bodies and on the shores of reservoirs, along with t Planorbis leucostoma, and mayalsobe a "slum" species. 1 Physa fontinalis M 1 Present in small numbers throughout the sample area in both well-vegetated and "poor" habitats.It was often the only species collected from aquatic vegetation (as distinct from emergent) pulled from the water. In r several inner city samples it was often the commonest gastropod present. M t M 1 J21 M

M Mvmnaeatruncatu1a ,

Not reallyatrue aquaticspecies, more usually associated with muddy ground and vegetation fringing ponds and small lakes. However a few specimens were 1 included in the samples and may have fallen from canal-side vegetation. 1 S Lymnaea galustris Occasional and usually in small numbers, in marginal M emergent vegetation rather than in deeper open water. 1 Lymnaea staanalis 1 0 Occasionallypresent in great quantity, andcan sometimes be found swarming in stagnant pools and reservoirs. In the royal Canal, large specimens that a are such afeature of the Grand Canal were not 1 encountered.

0 Lymnaea pereara Abundant and usually in large quantity throughout the 0 canal. 1 Planorbis carinatus

Abundant throughout the system. This species,in combination with Lvmnaea pereara and Bithnyia tentaculata comprise the overwhelming bulk of the living gastropod biomass of the Royal Canal.

N 'sus vortex 1 Rare and only found at Ferns Lock,where it was 0 occasional and at Maynooth Station as a single freshly dead individual. 1 M Bathyomphalus gontortus

This distinctive small Planorbid is common to abundant, even in the poorest looking habitats, i.e. areas virtually devoid of vegetation. It was even ' encountered (albeit in small quantity)in slightly brackish water at the point where the Royal Canal enters the R. Liffey. '

C3vraulus a us

Present in small quantity, usually as shells with the appearance of being dead for some time. ' . Armiaer crista This species was surprisingly uncommon, as it is often I M found in large numbers in quite muddy and dirty water and leaf-filled drains, as well as in cleaner small 1 E a pools. 0 Hiooeutis comDlanatus a Rare; the specimens from Confeywere collected from the underside fo the floating leaves ofNuchar lutes. Planorbarius 99j319 M N This large and conspicuous species isscattered in a small numbers along the canal and associateddrains. It is considered by some workers to bean introduction in Ireland, possibly released originallyfrom aquaria. M Few mature living individuals were collected,but numerous dead adult shells were encountered. Anodonta cvgnea a The only specimens foundwere juveniles, generally a damaged, in canalcleanings. Theyare usually encountered in deeper water thanwas examined in the present survey. 0- Sphaerium corneum a The most conspicuous of the smaller bivalves;present throughout the sampling area. Pisidium a Data for these species is insufficientto comment. S Discussion H The conchological importance of theRoyal Canal is well known and has been recognised by variousworkers (Stelfox, 1911; Kerney, 1976). The fortuitous M circumstances that facilitatedthe spread of certain plant species from the Central Plainlakes to areas with little open water,e.g. Kildare and Dublin are a well known (Praeger, 1434). Many freshwater invertebrates were similarly enabledto expand their natural range. In recent years the relative a conservation value of the Royal Canalhas increased further,following the drainage of theBoyne and Broadmeadow catchments. At present several species M exhibit canal-typo-distrivutionsand are virtually unknown outside the canals and canalisedrivers of S.E. Ireland. Chief among these is Bivnia laachii a but many other species are also noticeablycommoner within the canal systems. Macan (1969) defined a group of hard-water species common in S., E.and C. M England many of which have becomecommon in the Royal Canal. M The present report, despite being basedon material collected for a different purpose undera variety of collecting conditions, confirms thepresence of 28 of M E the 45 Irish gastropod and bivalve species (excluding Succinea and other water-margin species) in the Royal 1 0 Canal between 1975 and 1983. Missing species N Two species groupings are not well represented in the samples. These are thespecies associated with temporary aquatic habitats, (the "slum" species), and 0 species known form base-poor waees, ("soft-water" species). 1 E Planorbis leucostoma This small ramshorn, (common throughout Ireland) and 1 a Pisidium casertanum are well-known "slum" species. In conjunction with A x hypnorum and Potamogvrgus jenkinsi, they may exhibit a strategy that is related to competition for certain resources (See Boycott, 1 1936) Margaritifera margaritifera The Freshwater Pearl Mussel is a well-known "soft" 0 water species,often found in streams and rivers 1 running off mountains. 0 Ancylus fluviatilis The River Limpet has similar habitat requirements 0 though more tolerant of more eutrophic conditions. Other species associated with base-poor conditions, 1 and also not found in the samples, include Pisidium N lilljeboraii and _R. conventus. 1 . Mvxas glutinosa Apart from the single record of Myxas from Ashtown, ' which prompted the gatherings upon which this report is based, no further specimens were encountered. It is a rare species in Ireland, and has a reputationfor ' . fleeting appearances. Anderson(1982),considered thatitfavoured 'the deeper parts of rivers and canals. ' Theodoxus fluviatilis The non-appearance of this species in the samples is ' surprising, given its frequency and occasional abundance in the Grand Canal,where it is often encountered on submerged stones and rocks.The bed of the Royal Canal in the areas sampled may have beentoo silted. Sampling technique may explain the failure to find Pisidium pseudosphaerium, a very small bivalve, . recorded from the Royal Canl in Co.Kildare, H.19 (K erney,1976). E 115 a 0 Table 4.8 Species/Bite Tablefor Royal Canal Nollusca. a A species by sample table ispresented, with the sites ordered along an axis runninq;.from dublin City to Moyvalleyin Co. a Kildare. Species presence is indicatedby P. ------BrTz NO. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1%1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 01 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 ------Valvata cristata . . P . . . . P p P .. P . P P P Valvata piscinalis . . . . P . . . . P .. P .P p P . Potamopyrgus jenkinsiP PP P .P P P . . Bithynia tentaculata PP P P P. PPPPPPPPPPPPPP...... P . a Bithynia leachii P ....P P p p P P P P P Aplexa hypnorum P . . Physa fontinalis P P p p P 0 Lymnaea truncatula . * ...... P p ..' Lymnaea palustris . . . P .P . . P '

Lymnaea stagnalis ...... ' 1 Lymnaeaperegra ...... P . 0 PlanorbiscarinatusPPPPPPPPPPPPPPpppppP P P P P P P P P PP P P P_ P P P P PP Ansus vortex P i ...... P ...P 1 Bathyonphalus- a contortus p p p p p..... P. . P P P Gyraulus albus .... P P P.P P . P . P Armiger crista ... a . P ... . . Hippeutis complanatus. P . P ...... P . . . P . . . . Planorbarius corneus . . . . . P P . Anodonta cygnaea . P P . . 0 . . . . , . . p p Sphaeriumcorneum P P P P P P P P P P . . . . P P Pisidium amnicum P P P PP P P P P P. P P . Pisidium casertanum P p p p p P P N Pisidium personatum . P P P P . P P . . . . P P . Pisidium obtusale . . . . . P a Pisidium milium ...... Pisidium subtruncatum. .P ...... P .. P Pisidium hibernicum . P P ...... P . . P . P P a Pisidium nitidum . . . . , . . . p . P p . . P P P . 1 a F 0 1 a

1 M

1 a 0 1 126 0 1 1

Table 4.9 Locations of Survey Bites, with sample-typewhere , known. N SITE LOCATION VC DATE SAMPLE TYPE 1 . 1. E. OF BALLYBOUGH BRIDGE21 1981 BANK HAND-NET 2. CROKE PARK 21 1981 BANK HAND-NET t 0 3. W. OF CROSS GUNS BRIDGE21 1979 CANAL CLEANINGS

4. IONA GARAGE 21 1979 CANAL CLEANINGS '

5. ASHTOWN BRIDGE 21 1975 BANK HAND-NET '

6. DRAIN W. OF ASHTOWN BRIDGE 21 1975 BANK HAND-NET

7. CLONSILLA 21 1979 BANK HAND-NET ,

8. PACKENHAM BRIDGE 21 1979 DRAGGED VEGETATION 0 9. COLDBLOW/LUCAN BRIDGE 21 1983 NOT RECORDED I . 10. CONFEY BRIDGE 19 1980 BANK HAND NET

11. LOUISA BRIDGE 19 1982 DREDGED MATERIAL 1 0 12. DEEY BRIDGE 19 1981 NOT RECORDED t 13. MAYNOOTH STATION 19 1980 CANAL-BED DREDGINGS 14. MAYNOOTH (POND BRIDGE) 19 1980 NOT RECORDED 1 N 15. JACKSON'S BRIDGE 19 1978 NOT RECORDED . 16. KILCOCK BRIDGE 19 1982 NOT RECORDED 1

17. FERNS LOCK 19 1982 CANAL CLEANINGS 1 18. CLONCURRY (TRACK E. OF) 19 1982 BANK HAND-NET 19. E. OF MOYVALLEY 19 1982 BANK HAND-NET 1 20 MOYVALLEY BRIDGE 20 1982 ANK D N t

1 M 127 1 E WATER BEETLEB by DAVID BILTON a 4.3.4 Introduction a Water beetle assemblages in the RoyalCanal were sampled in August 1986 duringa visit made to Co. Westmeath. The principle aim of this visitwas to i record aquatic Coleoptera from primary fensin this region of Ireland.Water beetles of-all habitatswere extremely poorly known in Ireland at the startof 'this a decade (Foster,1981),a situation which has been partly rectified (Bilton and Lot in Dress). For this reason initial surveys were also undertaken ofa i representative selection of aquatic biotopes inthe areas visited (Bilton, 1988). Among the habitats visited were six siteson the Royal Canal system. 0 Aquatic Coleoptera are excellent indicatorsof habitat type, age, diversity and disturbance, andhave been used elsewherein the conservation assessment of 0 wetlands (Eyre and Foster, 1989; Fosteret al., 1990). Past problems encountered by many in the identification of species have beenovercome in many 0 cases by the availability of an up-to-date identification guide(Friday, 1988). The results presented here are limited in scope, and donot allow a for much extrapolation to the Royal Canalsystem as a whole. It islikely, however that most managed sections of the canal will containa fauna similar to that present in these Westmeath localities. a Buolina Methods

Aquatic Coleoptera were sampled usinga D-frame pond net. At each site all available nicrohabitatswere f investigated in this way.Trampling of bank edges and hand searching were also employedto find smaller Hydrophilid water beetles. A stretchof canal roughly a 50-100m long was examined at each station. Sampling was carried out until no further species couldbe found, such a process taking from30 sins to one hour. a Jeffries (1987) has shown that sucha sampling regime 1 is more cost effective than repeatedtimed samples, a result which is backed up by the extensivefield N experience of the author and others.Most specimens were identified in the field, but somegroups (eg. 1 most Gvrinus spp.) weretaken home for closer 0- examination.As well as the traditional water beetles of the families Haliplidae, Noteridae,Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae, Hydrophilidae and Hydraenidae,semi aquatic a members of the Staphylinidae, Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae were also recorded.. a t At each site notes were made concerningthe habitats present with water beetles, and the dominantforms of vegetation above, below, and beside thewater. N I

1 128 t eampliua LoaaUtiis As stated all these were in the vicinity of Mullingar , in Co. Westmeath. They were situated as follows:-

1. Royal Canal at Saunders Bridge N4553. Muddy edges with marginal grasses, $narganium and Mvosotis. ,

S 2. Canal Supply N4454. Richly vegetated margins with grasses, Carex, Juncus and mosses. ,

3. Royal Canal at Shandonagh Bridge N3653. Vegetated canal with Mvrionhyllum in open water and marginal N Nvosotis and Juncus. 1 4. Royal Canal at Coolnahay Bridge N3554. Dense Glyceria maxima (Hartman) bed over silt.

0 5. Royal Canal at Ballyncarrigy N3053. G. maxima, algae and Mvriophvllum in canal edge. 1 6. Royal Canal at Kilpatrick Bridge N4152. G. maxima in cans1a dge. ' Results and Discussion . In total 49 species of aquatic and semi-aquatic Coleoptera were recorded from the six sampling sites on the Royal Canal system. These are given by locality in Table 4.10. Species of Note 1 0 Hvarotus auinauelineatus (Zetterstedt). This northern European species is rare in Britain, occuring in fen 1 drains and ancient lochs. In Ireland, however, the M species is far more widespread, being found in a range of habitat types such as rivers, drains, loughs and 1 turloughs. Other northern insect species with s restricted distributions in Britain are also more widespread in Ireland, such as the carabid Pelophila 1 0 borealis Paykull. Rhantus arapii (Gyllenhal). This medium-sized dytiscid is usually associated with sites containing 1 0 rich fen vegetation, particularly in old fens,or after drainage in ditches on the site of such fens. 0 R. arapii occurred in the Canal supply in dense 1 bankside vegetation. 0 Eubrvchius velutus (Beck). One of the few weevils to live underwater as an adult, E. velutus feeds on 1 Mvrionhvllum. The species is scarce in the British Isles, and is most often found in relatively deep, clear waters. In Ireland its distribution is 1 practically unknown, the present record appearing to 0 be the only one made during recent years. 1 N Uq 1 0

1 Effects of Management on Aquatic Coleoptera N Of the localities listed all except site twoon the Canal Supply showed evidence of dredging andsome a 1 degree of eutrophication.

The water beetle fauna of these five sites isa direct a 1 result of management. It is dominated by Haliplidae and small Dytiscidae which live in deepopen water amongst vegetation. Large dytiscids and Hydrophilidae a are largely absent due to the lack of a well-vegetated 1 and structurally complex bank edge, which isfavoured by many species belonging to thesegroups. The 0 aquatic Coleoptera fauna of these siteson the Royal 1 Canal is very similar to that found in largedrains in the East of England (Bilton,1987; Foster et al., 0 1990). Management in the form of dredgingor weed cutting isessentialto maintain suchaspecies 1 assemblage. a

The one unmanaged site in the study, theCanal Supply, 1 contained a far more diverse beetlecommunity. In addition to the species ofopen water the fen-like conditions in the water's edgesupported extra species 1 such as Rhantus grpii and Chaetarthria seminulum a (Herbst). Obviously dredging and extensiveweed cutting would drastically reduce the faunistic interest of sites suchas this, resulting in a water a t beetle community resembling those foundin most of the Royal Canal itself. 0 1 N 1 0 1 a

1 a

1 r

1 a 1 130 1 i N Table 4. 10 Distribution of Aquatic Coleoptera on the RoyalCanal in 1986. 1 m Locality species

1 2 3 4 S 6 1

Haliolas flavicollis s s H.fulrus 1 H.iaa_ culatus s H.lineatocollis H.li,latus 1 H.oblicuus, s . H.raficollis . H= s t Uterus crassicorais Laccophilus minutus s Hiphidrus oratus s 1 Hisrotus inaeaualis s H.ouisauelineatus H.rersicolor s s s Hidroporus oalustris 1 s H.nlaans + H.onbamem H.striols 1 s s s Porh7drus lineatus Grapes s slc; u" s s Stiotonectes levIdis 1 s Potasosectes assisilis , . P. deprassus Amebas biyastuUtus 1 s s A. stormi Ilyblus star I. funsinosus s s s 1 1. aundrisuctatus s Rhaatus essoletus 1. srayii Colimbetes fuscus 1 s Ditiscus marsinalis D. sedsulcatus Girinus aeratus 1 G.aarinus G. substriatus s s HelovMnM brevipalpis 1 Anacaema slobulus A.limbata s A.lutescens I s . Laccoblus biounctatus Carcion ustulatus Chaetarthria seminulum 1 Hidreesa riparia s tsaseatenus Stamm aitidiusculus 1 Daaacia simles D.versicol lsbrichius elutus 1

13 13 12 Totals: 49 11 34 18

131 M

1 CHAPTER 5 IMPACTS OF MANAGEMENT M 5.1 RESTORATION a 1 Unlike a river a canal is neithera stable nor a natural system, and if it is abandonedthe processes 0 1 of vegetational successioncome into play. The reed fringe extends from the water'sedge into the channel, and the canal silts up and graduallydries out.In 0 time wet woodland(alder/willow carr) can become 1 established along the old canalbed, or the reeds and reed grasses can give way to meadowor pasture grasses 0 if grazing is a feature ofthe system. The towpath 1 also changes - non-herbaceous speciesinvade from the boundary and grassland becomesscrub, and can develop 0 into woodland if time andspace permit.

1 Restoration has a number of impactson a disused canal 0 system. It increases the area ofopen water at the expense of the established reed bed,grassland or 1 carr. Reeds in the restored channelare confined to 0 themargins, and thedeeperwater is open to colonisation by floating-leaved and submerged f, macrophytes - species whichare usually the first to 6 be lost as the system driesout. The area of scrub is reduced as Willow, Alder andAsh are removed from the banks and bed of the disusedcanal, and Blackthorn and a 1 Hawthorn are cut backor removed to allow access for the dredging plant and tore-open the towpath. 0 1 If these changes are to benefitthe system in the long-term then the restorationprogramme itself must be carefully planned and monitoredin order to reduce 0 1 the short-term negative impactsand to ensure that the subsequent development ofthe canal and its habitats follows the desiredcourse. a 1 5.1.1 Dredging a 5.1.1.1 Impacts of Dredging

Dredging has a number of impactson both the channel ' and the banks of the canal. It is a straight-forward engineering process that affects the complex . ecological system ina number of ways - some directly, some indirectly but all inter-connected. jj=cts on the channel ' The removal of silt from thebed of the canal deepens . the channel, affecting therange of aquatic wildlife that can inhabit it. The most obvious changes will occur in the plant community, witha reduction in r shallow-water, emergent plants such as AIJAM plantaco-a is and Phraamitesaustralis and a - corresponding increase in specieswith a deeper, open water requirement (eg. Nuohar lutesand Potamggeton 0 1 13Z 0 0 M spp.). Changes in the plant population will lead to changes in the aquatic invertebrate communities that 0 depend upon them, while bird and fish communities will also be affected by the loss of shelter and bychanges 1 0 in the available food supply. As well as being affected indirectly by changes in channel depth, plant populations are affected directly 1 s by the removal of vegetation with the silt during operations. The impact on populations of floating- leaved and submerged macrophytes is often a positive 1 M one, as new plants can grow from sections of stemor rhizome which are broken off during dredging and float downstream. Theeffectonemergent plants, in 0 particular those of the reed fringe, is usually less 1 beneficial. Where land-based, dragline plant is used the bucket is dragged up the bank, removing all the M vegetation on the side of the canal from which the 1 machine is working. It is official OPW policy under these circumstances that the reedfringe on the E oppositebankshouldbe preserved intact. The 1 presence of a diverse and undamaged source of material for recolonisation will reduce the possibility of a 0 single, highly competitive species such as Glviceria maxima establishing a monoculture along the banks at 0 the expense of a more balanced community. Disturbance of the sediments on the bed of the canal releases some of the nutrients they hold, and the 0 nitrogen and phosphorus levels of the canal water can increase significantly as a result of dredging (Haslam, 1978). This fact, together with the removal 1 0 of the plantsthatgenerallycompetefor these nutrients, can lead to algal blooms, which will in turn affect the rate of recolonisation of the waterway 1 M by higher plants.

PhY air-Al disturbance such as increased turbiditYwill ' also affect recolonisation, in particular by submerged plants, as they are sensitive to the level of light penetration of the water, but this effect is relatively short-lived as the siltin suspension resettles rapidly and the water becomes clear again. Dredging generally increases the area of open water, and often leads to an increase in species diversity within the channel.However, habitat diversity can be reduced, as dredging tends to increase the uniformity of the system, removing berms and shallow margins and creating banks that are all alike in profile. In , particular there seems to be a tendency to make banks that are too high and too steep to support ahealthy and diverse community of emergent reeds and associated plants. ' 0 Invertebrates Plantsarenotthe only element of the aquatic 1 0 233 1 0 1 a

ecosystemto beaffected bydredging. Aquatic 1 invertebrates are affected directly by theremoval of individuals in the spoil, and indirectly bychanges in plant populations and water chemistry. A reductionin 1 habitat diversity, in particular the loss oftrampled margins and reed beds, will result in the impoverishment of invertebrate communities. Removal of vegetation can lead to the elimination of 1 specialist plant-feeding species, while the reduction in food supply and loss of sheltercan result in a M decrease in the number of individuals as wellas the species richness of the system (Lewis and Williams, 1984). I Birds a Water birds are affected by the loss of nestingsites, the destruction of the reed fringe and bya decrease 1 in food supply. Even more significant however, is the disturbance factor, particularly wherean intensive dredging programme affects largeareas of the canal over a relatively short period of time. Fish

1 Fish populations on the canalare actively managed, and fish are removed fromalevel scheduled for dredging. Loss of submerged and marginal vegetation 1 and changes in invertebrate populationscan all have a negative impact on the fish communityupon restocking. In contrast, the dredging and re-watering of a level previously over-grown with reed-grassesand not containing sufficient water to supportany fish will increase the area available for colonisationby fish as well as other aquatic organisms. 5.1.1.2 Recovery after dredgina a 1 Channel a The vegetation of the central channelappears to 1 recover relatively rapidly.The expansion of the area of open water often leads toan increase in the diversity of the plant community, restoringa wildlife value that was lost in the overgrown system (Briggs, 1 1989).The increase in diversity may be due tothe re-appearance of species from a dormant state,or to a rapid surge of growth of relatively rare species 1 upon the removal of theirdominant and highly aggressive competitors. The unexpected discovery of Groenlandia densa, a submerged water plant protected 1 by the 1976 Wildlife Act, in the RoyalCanal where it has never previously been recordedmay have been as a result of one or other of these factors. However, in this case it is also possible thata piece or pieces 1 of the plant were carried on the dredgerfrom the Grand Canal, where it is known tooccur, to the Royal when both were dredged in 1988. Whatever the reason, 1

1 134 0 M 1 M a healthy population of Groenlandiais now to be found 1 in the Royal Canal as a result of dredging (Dromey,in 0 press). Marcinal zone. 1 N The rate of recovery of the marginalvegetation is a slower process, depending on a number of factors.The most significant of these are theamount of plant 1 M mhterial removed during the dredging operation, and the profile of the newly-dredged channel.Recovery is quickest where the bank slope is gentle,and where 1 some marginal vegetation wasleft on the nearside after dredging. 0 Immediately west of Blackshade Bridge (km 45), where the spoil was pulled in to the bank but notdragged up through the existing vegetation, recovery has been 0 rapid and species diversity is high.In contrast, re- establishment of the reed fringe is proceeding slowly in Clonsilla (km 1) where the bank is both highand M steep and wasscraped clean during the dredging operations. Glviceria maxima is the dominant species here, in spite of the presence of a more diversereed M fringe on the offside. It is clear from this that leaving one bank intact cannot benefit the systemif 1 the other bank is made so inhospitable that fewif any M species can establish themselves along it. 1 M 5.1.1.3 Disposal of spoil Dredging alsohas a number of impacts onthe 1 terrestrial canal habitats. Disturbance is a factor 0 even if water-based plant is used. Land-based operations have a more serious impact on the system, as the size and weight of themachines can cause 1 M physical damage to the vegetation cover on the bank and towpath.However, the major impact of dredging on the terrestrial habitats is caused by spoil 1 M deposition. Dredging spoil is rich in nutrients, in contrast tothe infertile, limestone soilsthat predominate along the Royal Canal. In terms of the 1 0 nature conservation value ofthe canal the most appropriate means of disposal would be to remove the spoil from the system altogether, but in practice this M is not feasible. In most dredging operations the spoil is spreadthinly M over the land adjacent to the channel,and in general 1 this issatisfactory (Lewis and Williams, 1984). However, it does tend toincrease uniformity by 0 eliminating hollows and irregularities in the ground, all of which add to the diversity of the system. i' Spreading spoil will have a particularly serious M impact where the adjacent land is either a nutrient- poor, botanically-rich grassland or aspecies-rich 1 wetland (Lewisand Williams, 1984). Both these 0 habitats are very sensitive and can be damaged even by low levels of enrichment or fertilisation. Dumping a 1 E 13S 1 11 1 0

layer of nutrient-rich siltover them could destroy M 1 the site permanently. Scrub on the other hand is less sensitive, and spreading spoil ina thin layer over a patch of scrub would not damage it irreparably. a 1 Depositing spoil in a trench dug betweenthe towpath and the boundary would havea less severe impact, a 1 particularly if the top-soil is keptand spread over the in-filled trench to aid revegetation. 0 5.1.1.4 1 Revegetation of spoil The first species to coloniseany area of bare ground are invasive species such as Rumexspp., Cirsium spp. t and Urtica dioica. On dredging spoil aquatic plants are also among the early colonists- Olviceria maxima 0 and Phalaris being particularly 1 persistent. In time natural succession willrestore a more balanced vegetation cover but itis a slow 0 process. Cutting this vegetation before itsets seed reduces thedominance of thesespecies, andso 1 encourages the growth of less vigorousgrasses and 0 herbs.

1 The recovery of terrestrial habitatsafter dredging a depends on a number of factors. It is most rapid where the disturbancewas purely physical, caused only by the movement of heavy machinery. Where the M 1 drainage capability and nutrientstatus of the soil are affectedbyspoildepositionandcompaction recovery will be slower. 0 1 Where a thin layer of spoilcovers a relatively small area recovery can be relatively quick,as can be seen 0 1 at thesitebetweenthe canal andtherailway immediately west of Footy'sBridge (km 59).The spoil was deposited at the top of a slope, andflowed down 0 to the base, leaving most ofthe area unaffected.The 1 thin layer of spoilon the slope recovered more rapidly than the thicker patchat the toe. M

1 In contrast, revegetation of the Clonsillastretches of the canal bank (km 1) is slowand unsatisfactory. M Here there was nearly 100% removalof the vegetation 1 cover during dredging (1989)and a thick layer of spoil was depositedon the towpath. By the end of the 0 1990 growing season the sitewas still only sparsely 1 vegetated. 0 The plant cover on the land outsidethe canal boundary will also affect the revegetationof the disturbed 1 canal, as itprovides a sourceof seed. Its a significance willvary, depending on the amount of vegetation left on the towpathand the seed mixture M 1 itself. It was noticed during the 1989Royal Canal survey that a number of fields adjacentto the canal between Pike Bridge and Maynooth(km 12) were poorly M 1 maintained and dominatedby Cirsium spp. resurveying

0 s this stretch in 1990, it was found that the towpath east of Pike bridge (km 11)had developed a grass cover dominated by Holcus lanatus with a variety of non-grass species. However, west of the bridge (km ' 12) relatively large areas of the towpath were covered with nearly impenetrable stands of Cirsium vulgare. The management and maintenance regime in use on the ' towpath and banks willalso affect the rate of recovery and the composition of the vegetation cover ' . (see 5.2). Invertebrates. 0 The recovery of the invertebrate populations will depend largely on the recovery of the vegetation, and on the amount of shelter left after the dredging E operations cease. . 5.1.2 Removal of trees and scrub , Restoring a canal involves re-opening the towpath as well as the channel. This involves clearing scrub ' from the path, as well as the removal of bank-side trees to facilitate dredging. During the period of neglect of the waterway these features may have become valuable wildlife habitats. ' The hedgegrow is not usually removed, but if treated 0 insensitively aspart of a programme of scrub clearance it can be severely damaged. Inefficient trimming with unsuitable toolsleavesthe hedge 0 ragged, and susceptible to fungal attack and die-back (BWB, 1981). Trees between the towpath and the channel can reduce the diversity of the aquatic habitat by over-shading, particularly if there is a continuous line of trees on the south bank (Newbold et al., 1989). However, they are an important feature of the system, providing song-posts and nesting sites for birds and food and shelter for invertebrates, as well as being valuable in their own right. Selective removal of trees from the bank reduces the negative impact of shading and allows dredging and maintenance work to be carried out 1 while still retaining the wildlife advantage. Removal of scrub from the banks and towpath can have E a severe impact on the system, as it forms avaluable wildlife habitat and adds greatly to the diversity of the system (Moles, 1982), providing food and shelter for a wide variety of birds and animals.

5.1.3 Restoration of masonry 1 A bridge that is covered with ivy can support very little else in the way of vegetation.When the ivy is cleared away as part of a restoration programme other 1

137 plants such as Asulenium spy. and Cvmbalaria muralis M 1 can take advantage of the newly-available niche. Unlike ivy these will not damage the stoneworkof the old canal bridges. 0 In contrast to the over-grown bridges, disusedlocks tend to support a wide variety of plants. The only 0 patches of open water to be found along long stretches 1 of the Royal Canal in Unit III are in theold lock chambers. Submerged,floating-leaved and emergent 0 plants can all be found, together with plants typical of drier habitats. Restoration will drastically reduce this diversity, although it will increase the 0 area of open water in the system as a whole.

Grey Wagtails often nest in cracks and crevices inthe walls of lock chambers, or on tree roots whichhave become established in the masonry (forexample, lock 41atCoolnahinch - km 121). Restoration will E probably lead to a reduction in the numberof Grey Wagtails nesting along the canal, but it isunlikely 1 to eliminate them altogether. 0 5.1.4 Reconstruction of the channel 1 Channel design N For most of Unit III dredging will not beenough to M re-open the canal, and the channel will need to be reconstructed.This will be a major engineering task, andonethat willresult in widespread habitat 0 1 destruction not just along the channelbut also on both banks. Conservation of the existing wildlife will be difficult,and maybe impossiblein some circumstances, but it will be possibleto incorporate 1 into the new canal system featuresthat will increase its wildlife value and nature conservationpotential 0 for the future. In the long-term the major impact of 1 reconstruction will be a change forma primarily terrestrial series of habitats toa mixture of aquatic 0 and terrestrial habitats. 1 The design of the channel itself will havean impact N on theaquaticcommunitiesthat it can support (Hanbury, 1986). A channel with straight,steep sides (Fig 5.1, a) has very little potentialas a wildlife 0 habitat as it is unable to supporta diverse reed fringe, due to the fact that mostemergent plants require relatively shallow water. A channel that is M shallow, with a gentle underwater slope (Fig5.1, b), rapidly becomes overgrown as the reedsencroach from the margins, eliminating the open-water communities and blocking the navigationalchannel. A canal combining shallow margins witha deep central channel (Fig 5.1, c) supports both emergent and submerged M 1 aquatic vegetation and their associatedinvertebrates, and requires less maintenanceas the marginal reeds are slow to colonise the navigational channel dueto M

a 0 1

m 0 0 m b:

0 m 0 c: m i

FIGURE 5.1 Channel Design 1

139 m N

1 its depth. 0 Water su221y_ N Extension of the waterway intothe currently dry western section may also affect thewater chemistry of the canal as it is likely that alternativesources of 0 water will be needed to supplementthe Lough Owel supply. Migration of plant and animal speciesnew to the canal via the new feedersmay also have an effect 0 on the ecology of the full length of the canal. It is impossible to quantify thechanges at this stage, without detailed information aboutthepossible sources of supply.

0 0 0 0 1 S N

E N

1 s

1 140 0 is 0 5.2 MAINTENANCE 1 Some level of maintenance is essential if the canal 0. system is to fulfil all its various functions - asa navigable waterway and a footpath, as a local amenity and as a national resource.In order to maximise its N potential for nature conservation it is important that the management practices used are sympathetic. Inappropriate management leading to a uniform, over- 0 maintained and sterile system would be even less desirable in wildlife terms than a policy of E abandonment. 5.2.1 Hedaerow 1 E The ecological value of a hedgerow depends on a number of factors. Its botanical importance willbe determined by the species-richness and diversity of 1 E the flora, including herbaceous species in the understorey. The flora in turn will determine the number and diversity of invertebrates that the hedge can E support (Table 5.1). Many hedgerow plants, including 1 hawthorn, provideabundantnectar inspring for insects, while the fruits, seeds and berries produced 0 in autumn are a valuable source of food for many animals and birds. The height of the hedgerow is important in determining its suitability as a nesting E site - nesting birds in low (3 ft/92 cm) hedgesare subject to predation from the ground(Brooks and Agate, 1988). Dense growth at the base of the 0 hedgerow provides vital cover for field mice (ADOdemus svlvaticus) and other animals. 1 0 Table 5.1 1 Hedgerow shrubs and trees Soil pH No. of associated AcidNeutral Alkaline invertebrate species <5m in heiaht 0 Birch * * 334 Blackthorn * * 151 Crab apple * * 116 0 Guelder rose * * Hawthorn * * * 205 Hazel * * 106 0 Holly * * * 96 Rowan * * 58 >.M N Ash * * 68 Oak * * * 423 1 Willow * * * E (Newbold, Honnor and Buckley, 1989). E 1

N 141 1 N M

An unmaintained hedge will develop into scrub,and M expand itsarea at the expense of the adjacent habitats. Trimming is the most commonmeans of hedgerow management used today.Trimming on an annual basis produces a visually dull hedge, andprevents the growth of berries which,are a vitally important source of food for birds and animals (BWB, 1981). A M 3-4 year cycle of cutting carried out inrotation produces a range of growth stages, with sectionsof one, two and three years' regrowth as wellas a newly- 0 trimmed section. A flail is the most efficient means of mechanically 0 trimming a hedge that is in good condition. However, if it is used to cut thickor old branches it will shred and tear them, leavinga mangled and ragged 0 hedgerow that is very susceptibleto die-back and fungal attach (BWB, 1981). Trimming, like pruning, encourages regrowth and maintains the dense,bushy cover that is important for wildlife. An A-shaped hedgerow,approximately 1.8- 2.Om high,provides secure nesting sites for birds and densecover at its N broad base for animals, making ita valuable habitat (Mabey, 1980). 0

Trimming carried out in springand early summer will seriously disturb the nestingand breeding success of 0 the hedgerow birds.Trimming in late summeror autumn will remove the berries thatare an important part of the food-chain of the hedgerow habitat. M

Continuous trimming tends to accelerateand exaggerate the ageing of the shrubs (Brooksand Agate,1988). 0 Thehedgeinitially becomesbushierdue to the increasingly dense outergrowth and the interlocking of each plant's branches with thoseof its neighbours. 0 Eventually, the bottom and innerbranches die back, leading to the development ofgaps at the base and a shell-like growth form. The hedgerow gradually loses 0 vigour - regrowth after trimmingis slow, and weaker plants die. Gaps occur between shrubs, andthe hedgerow loses its continuity.

Coppicing (cutting to 75 mm above the ground) encourages regrowth from the base of thehedgerow. However, during the period of regrowthcover, nesting sites and food sourcesare all lost. The impact is particularly severe ifa long, continuous stretch of M hedgerow is coppiced ina single year.

Laying also encourages regrowthfrom the base of the M hedge, but it is a labour-intensiveand highly skilled operation (Brooks and Agate,1988). M A derelict hedge with extensivegaps and relatively 0 1 few healthy shrubs may need replantingto restore its

141 0 M wildlife value.

M Hedgerow trees add to the diversity of the habitat, and of the canal system as a whole. They can be damaged by the flail, unless special care is taken to M protect them during regular maintenance operations. I 0 5.2.2. Grassland 0 The soils along the Royal Canal are for the mostpart limestone-based (Conry etal., 1970 ; Finch and Gardner, 1977 ; Finch et al., 1983) which, with appropriate management produce a grass sward which is 1 0 species-rich and slow-growing. Without management floral diversity decreases rapidly, and the system loses much of its ecological interest. A small number 0 of coarse, vigorous grasses soon dominate the sward at the expense of the less productive grass and herb species. Rapid invasion of scrub follows, and the M non-climax vegetation is lost (Jefferson and Usher, 1986). M Grazing Grazing is one of the oldest and simplest methods of M maintaining grass cover. It reduces the dominance of coarse vegetation, creating a more open sward where 1 non-grass species can flourish. Treading of the 0 channel margins by grazing animals can encourage the growth of emergent plants by creating a shallow, 1 marshy shelf along the water's edge, increasing the 0 range of habitats of the canal system. Over-stocking on the other hand has a negative impact on grasslands, resultingin over-grazing andan impoverished grass sward. Physical damage to the vegetation and to the soil structure also becomes a 1 0 problem, with the most severe poaching occurring at gates and where the animals get access to the water. Even a small number of animals can cause serious 1 0 poaching where the ground is wet or the soil poorly- drained. 0 Grazing is a selective process, and different animals will produce a different grassland structure. Cattle tear the vegetation rather than biting it, producing M a varied and tufted sward (Mabey, 1980). Sheep trim the pasture to within a few centimetres of the soil, biting cleanly through the vegetation (Packham, 1989) M and producing a tight, even sward of low-growing herbs and fine grasses. Being lighter than cattle they cause little poaching, and are less likely to cause 0 physical damage to the banks of the waterway (Lewis M and Williams, 1984). M 143 1 M E

Horses are very selective grazers and on their own 0 produce a sward dominated by the unpalatable species that they won't eat. When grazed with cattle a more balance-sward is produced. Goats on the other hand 11 are non-selective grazers, and will damage both the grass cover and the hedgerow by over-grazing, even in small numbers. N Mowing 0 Mowing can also maintain a grassland habitat, with the time and the frequency of cutting determining the structure and composition of the sward. Frequent N cutting within a single growing-season producesa species-poor sward with little or no wildlife interest. Plants are prevented from flowering and 0 setting seed, there is very little food for insects, and no cover for birds or small mammals (Newbold et al., 1989). 0 Mowing once a year, if carried out after the grasses and wild flowers are set seed (July/August) will lead 0 to the development of a hay meadow, a species-rich grassland once common in the agricultural landscape but now largely replaced by less diverse grass swards 0 1 grown for silage. Laid up for hay, and therefore ungrazed between March E and July/August, these grasslands can support not just the usual plants of unimproved pasture but alsomany other species that rely on flowering and setting seed E during the early summer. Taller plants, removed by grazing in pastures, have a competitive advantage in hay meadows. N Although mowing on an annual basis and light grazing produce grass swards that are similar in structure, 0 their species composition is very different. A study 1 of grasslands in oxford in the 1930s recorded thirty- nine species growing only in the hay meadows, twenty- 0 six restricted to pastures and thirty speciescommon to both (Rackham, 1987). For example, FiliRendula ulmaria and Rumex acetosa are easily destroyed by E grazing but can withstand mowing ; while Achillea millefolium and certain species of Ranunculuscan 1 tolerate grazing but are not found in hay meadows. N The differences are due to the difference in timing of the two processes,and the fact that grazing is selective while mowing is not. N

Cutting every 2 - 3 years will allow a coarser vegetation to develop, with tall herbaceous plants such as Heracleum sphondylium,Urtica dioica and Epilobium spp. in the sward. Thismanagement techniquewill lead to a reduction in species N diversity of the flora, but will result ina habitat thatsupports a differentrangeofinvertebrate species. In addition the increase in cover will 0

A4 0 0

Uenefi't ground-nesting birds and small mammals 0 (Newbold et al ; 1989). The species-rich limestonegrasslands that predominate along the canal are dependant on the relative S poverty of the soil, which is low innitrogen and phosphorus. Enrichment of thesoil, either by fertilisation or the accumulation of plant litter, E including chit vegetation, changes its nutrient status, increases the productivity of the system and allows a small number of aggressive and highlycompetitive species to dominate the sward (Ratcliffe, 1977 ; Newbold et al., 1989). E Herbicides Herbicides are generally broad-spectrum chemicals, ' affecting a range of plants of similar growth forms. They are therefore relatively unselective and result in a decreased species diversity (Lewis and Williams, ' 1984). Like fertilisers, herbicides eliminate the more sensitive, slow-growing plantsand allow a few vigorous species to dominate the sward. '

5.2.3 Control of Aquatic vegetation Plants have a variety of roles in an aquatic system, ' including primary production, nutrient cycling, stabilisation of sediments, habitat diversification and as a food source (Mitchell, 1974). They also help ' to maintain water quality - in a nutrient-poor system aquatic plants can compete successfully with algae although algae will dominate under eutrophic conditions (Marshall and Westlake, 1978). ' E Management of aquatic vegetation is essential if the habitat and species diversity of the canal habitat are N to bemaintained - an abandoned canal becomes overgrown and gradually loses its biologicalinterest N (Briggs, 1989). 1 Control of the aquatic plants has a number of impacts 0 on the system. Destruction of emergent vegetation 1 leads to an increase in the amount of light penetrating the water, with a corresponding increase 0 in the growth of submerged species (Dawson, 1981) ; while the removal of submerged plants can lead to algal blooms (Marshall and Westlake, 1978). Removal E of the marginal fringe of emergent plants also has a physical effect, leading to destabilisation of the 0 bank sediments and increased erosion. The reduction of plant biomass leads to a decrease in primary production and the disruption of the nutrient M recycling processes.These factors, together with the physical loss of habitat and shelter, will affect 1 0 1 0 14S a 1 0 0 1 other aquatic organisms such as invertebratesand fish directly, and will lead indirectly tochanges further up the food chain. Control of submerged vegetation results in the loss of the less frequent invertebrate N 1 taxa, and a reduction in the abundance of thedominant taxa, with the invertebrate species mostclosely associated with macrophytes being the mostseriously 0 affected (Murphy and Eaton, 1981). Loss of emergent vegetation will result in the loss of insectspecies, in particular the dragonflies and damselflieswhich 1 use the reeds as perches, and deposit theireggs in the safety of the reed fringe. 0 There are a number of different methods ofcontrolling aquatic vegetation, each with differentadvantages and disadvantages.Active measures are carried out during 0 the growing season to restrict and reduceplant growth where necessary. Preventative measures are carried out before much growth has occurred, usuallyin early spring, and aim to prevent excessivegrowth during the following summer. Environmental factors can also be manipulated to help control thegrowth of aquatic N plants. 1 5.2.3.1 Environmental control N Deepening the central channel ofthe canal (5.1.4) so 0 1 thatit nolonger forms asuitable habitat for emergent reeds restricts the spread of vegetationfrom the margins to the centre of the canal(Newbold et al. 1 1989; Brooks and Agate, 1990). Plants differ in their toleranceto shading, but a reduction in the amount of incident lightwill affect 0 1 all plants to some extent. Species that cannot tolerate shade at all will be eliminatedwhile others 0 will produce fewer and/or shortershoots as a result 1 of the reduced light(Lewis and Williams, 1984). Submerged plants tend to bemore tolerant of shade N than emergent species, making shadingmore appropriate 1 as a management technique for the control of marginal vegetation than as a means of totalcontrol. The N orientation of the channel to thesum will affect the success of shade as a control mechanism, anddetermine which side of the channel shouldbe planted if a new N shade-belt is to be created (fig5.2). For a wide channel shade is likely to be effectiveon one side only, allowing the vegetationon the south-facing bank to flourish (fig 5.3). N The input of extra organic matter andnutrients to the 0 system in the form of leaf littercould lead to an increase in the Biological OxygenDemand (BOD) and a lowering of the dissolvedoxygen concentration of the M 1 water. This would affect aquatic plantand animal communities, putting them under stress,and if very severe could lead to algal blooms. 0 0 1 146 N 1

1 FIGURE 5.2 Channel Orientation and Planting for Shade 1

Orientation of Bank for Effictiveness Channel Shade Belt of Weed Control 1

W E South Maximum NE South-east Moderate.to 1 good 1 SW NW, South-west Moderate to good

SE I

N East or West Poor 1 East and West Moderate 1

(after : Lewis and Williams, 1984) 1

147 1 M M 1 Shade in major drainage channels. M 1 Aquatic plants M 1 0 0 0 0 0 Where trees give only partial shade a continuous line is acceptable. 0 0

M Where trees shade the full widrh of The canal; leave variable gaps as above. M 1 M 1 FIGURE 5.3 ManipulaTion of shading 0

1 (Newbold et al; 1989) M

1 a M 1 M 1 149 0 Increased boat traffic along the canal would also help to control the growth of aquatic plants (Murphy and

Eaton, 1983 ; 5.3.1).

5.2.3.2 Chemical control 0 Herbicides are the most common means of controlling aquatic vegetation today. They are relatively quick 1 N and easy to use,and cost less than traditional, labour-intensive methods. The main disadvantage of herbicides is that they are broad-spectrum, targeting 1 not a single species but a range of species with N similar growth forms (Table 5.2). Some species are more susceptible to herbicides than others (Table 5.3) 1 E and are therefore the first to be lost. The replacement of the target plants by non- susceptible plants or by susceptible but rapidly- E growing opportunistic species is a feature of herbicide treatment (Murphy and Eaton,1981). The tendency of herbicide treatment to be followed by the N rapid growth of filamentous algae is due to the opportunistic growth potential of algae in exploiting the niches left by the removal or suppression of their 0 vascular plant competitors. 1 E The downstream drift of herbicidesin the water results in a reduction of plant growth at sites not 1 treated with the chemical (Eaton et al, 1981). Spot- N treatment of isolated areas using herbicides tends therefore to be unsatisfactory. 1 If chemicals are used during the growing season to N actively control the vegetation they will result in the presence in the water of a large mass ofdead and dying plant material. The decomposition of this E material would result in the deoxygenation of the water, which would have very serious negative impacts 1 N on the ecological system. One of the main disadvantages of herbicide use in 1 0 ecological terms is the speed at which they can be applied.The speed or rate of change per unit area in partdeterminesthe impactonplantandanimal communities, and herbicides can bring about a rapid 1 and massive change in habitat in a waterway (Newbold, 1984). Recolonisation of the herbicide-treated area E from non-treated areas is unlikely to be a significant 1 factor in the development of post-herbicide communities.Firstly, large areas can be treated with N such speed that potential recolonisation sources are sprayed and destroyed before the phytotoxic period 1 within the first area to be sprayed has elapsed. r Secondly, the rapid spread of resistant species, in particular algae, through the treated area limits the 1 growth of other, more desirable plant species.

Continued use of herbicides results in the development 0 149 1 f bd as e D V ac ae r 40 ... x se ae w 6 If9a .P. 'fly: naaQ It. Na .. : = r= r m= m," m w=". O a 9 a 0 = w= m r i Table 5.3 Susceptibility of Aquatic Plants to Dichlobenil. 1

a) Emergent SDD. b) Submerged sDD. Susceptible Susceptible Equisetum fluviatile Ceratophyllum demersum Equisetum palustre Chara spp. Glyceria fluitans Elodea canadensis Rumex hydrolapathum Hottonia palustris Sagittaria sagittifolia Lemna trisulca Stratiotes aloides Myriophyllum spp. Potamogeton crispus Moderately susceptible Potamogeton pectinatus Alisma plantago-aquatics Zannichellia palustris Glyceria maxima Iris pseudacorus Moderately susceptible Nasturtium officinale Utricularia vulgaris E Potamogeton lucens Resistant Butomus umbellatus Resistant Carex spp. All algae except Chara Juncus spp. Oenanthe aquatics Phragmites communis 1 Typha spp.

c) Floating sDD. Susceptible Callitriche stagnalis Hydrocharis morsus-ranae Ranunculus spp.

Moderately susceptible Potamogeton natans Nuphar lutea Nymphaea albs Polygonum amphibium Resistant Lemna spp.

(after Duphar B.V.)

161 1 11

of an impoverished and species-poor canal vegetation, N composed only of resistant species that cannot be readily controlled. Indiscriminate use of herbicides on Irish canals in the past has lead to theecological 0 degradation of some stretches (Caffrey, 1988). Herbicides, if used according to the manufacturer's specifications, should have no direct effectson fish or aquatic invertebrates (Spencer-Jones, 1974). However, animal life is dependent on an annual cycle 0 of increased plant production for itsown cycle of 1 growthand reproduction. If food production is suddenly inhibited, the animal must either switchto E an alternative source of food or migrate. Species that are plant-specific are particularlyvulnerable (Murphy and Eaton, 1981 ; Newbold,1984). In the . long-term therefore, the poverty of the invertebrate fauna of herbicide-treated channels isdue to the impoverishment of the flora, andnot directly to the N chemical input (Harbott and Rey, 1981). 1 N 5.2.3.3 Physical control

1 Active measures must be used to controlvegetation 0 during the summer when large standingcrops and higher temperatures make deoxygenationa serious potential problem. Cutting is a labour-intensive but effective N 1 method of reducing plant biomass. If the cut material is not removed from the system it willdecompose in the water,increasing the B.O.D. and resultingin E stressedplantandanimal communitiesandalgal blooms.

Cutting can be relatively selective,leaving small stands of more desirable plants whileremoving the bulk of the problem species. Maximum selectivity is 0 achieved by hand-cutting, buteven mechanical cutting is more selective than chemical control. E Cutting, like herbicide application,is followed by a rapid increase in algal growth.However, in this case it is a short-term effect (Eaton etal, 1981) and the E regrowth of the vascular plantssoon restores the i ecological diversity of the aquaticsystem. Cutting without the removal of theroot-mats and rhizomes tends to stimulate plantgrowth (Brooks and Agate, 1990) and may therefore have tobe repeated E duringa single growing season. However, ifa reduction in the final standingcrop is achieved there will be a decrease in the over-winteringsuccess of 0 the target plant, and as a result lesssevere control measures will be required the following year. Long- term management of the aquatic vegetationof a canal W by repeated cutting has been shown to giveacceptable control of the vegetationwithoutaltering the macrophyte community structure toan extent that is

0 0

N unacceptable in terms of nature conservation (Murphy et al, 1987). 1 . Cutting does not result in plant death and a long-term loss of habitat,and therefore has a less severe impact on other aquatic organisms than herbicides. N The decrease in diversity of the invertebrate fauna followingmechanical cutting is less than that following herbicide application,and the rate of recovery of themacrophyte-associated community is more rapid (Murphy and Eaton, 1981). 1 0 5.2.3.4 Biological control The possibility of introducing herbivorous species 0 such as Grass Carp (Ctenopharvngodon idella) to the canal system has been discussed (Van Dam and Eysten, 1987). There is no way of predicting in advance how 0 the introduction of a alien species will affect the natural balance of a system, and once established the exotic species is often harder to control than the N original nuisance species. 1 E 5.2.4 Maintenance Dredging Dredging will have to form part of the on-going management programme in order to maintain the deep- S water habitat and keep the channel navigable. The impacts will be similar to those described in 5.1.1 but the time-scale will be longer and the dredging E programme less intensive than that required to re-open the canal. 0 E 0 1 E 1 0 1

N 0 153 1 a a

5.3 11SCUMORAT.- USE 0 5.3.1Fisharifs miuaaesisat The limited amount of fisheries m'nagement which has taken placeso far on the Royal Canal falls into the following categories: fish stooking, fish relocation and aquatic plant control. The ecological impacts of angling and anglers are also considered here. i F.icistina fish stocks Fish stocks in the Royal Canal have been assessed duringthe period M 1981-1990 by means of electrofishing (Cent4ral Fisheries Board, 1920). The most abundant species found were Pike, Perch, Roachand Eel shile Tench were significant in terms of biomass. Other species present in small quantities included Rudd and Bream with three hyhrid varieties - Rudd/Roach, Roach/Bream and Rudd/Bream. 0 Fish stocking This practice of introducing fish into the canal from external waters is designed to elevate as many canal sections aspossible to the status of fisheries of national or international imp*tanoe. The-species introduced in 1990 were Tench-and Carp. The only known location for the latter species on the canal prior to1990 vas near Maynooth. A total of 50 Tench and 40 Carp were releasedin July 1990 at four locations between Leixlip and Coolnahay. M The ecological impact of introducing an additional species of fish to the canal has not been studied. However, unless the prey spectrum of Carp is radically different from that of theother fish 0 species already present it is unlikely to be significant.However, increased numbers of predatory fish may change the balance of invertebrate populations in the canal. The increase in fish stocks i as a whole is likely to benefit predatory birds andmammals such as herons, otters and mink as well as anglers. N Fish relocation Due to a breach in the canal east of Quinn'sBridge at Abbeyshrule approximately 700 fish (80% Perch and 20% Pike) were removedalive 0 in emir may 1990 and transferred alive to a dammedsection of the canal closer to Abbsyshrule. A small number of Tench and a large number of We were also found but the latter werenot relocated M (Caffrey et al, 1990). The ecological impact of such a relocation of stocks is unknown but it is expected that thegain effect would be to provide a sore concentrated food source for predatorssuch as M Herons and Otters.

J° plant control for fisheries ka^ e_t 0 The present practice and impacts of aquatic plant control whichis innipallp for the purpose of fisheries management are described in 1ection5.3 above. It is worth restating the findings of Murphy and Eaton (1990) that much of the current herbicide treatment isa waste of money and that environmental conditions in mob of thecanal system are unfavourable for the use of certain herbicides. 0 Present levels of angling activity on the Royal Canal arevery low despite the presence of significant stocks of course angling fish. During bird surveys in April-August 1990 small numbers of individual anglers were encountered mainly around the towns such as Leixlip, , Maynooth, Mullingar and at several isolated stretches such as that between Ballinea and Belmont bridges. The only coarse angling competition monitored on the canal in 1990 was held 1.5kmeast of Enfield on 20 May. A total of 34 pegs (or angling points) were ' fished and 310 fish (mostly Roach and Rudd) were caughton the day (Central Fisheries Board, 1990). It is likely that the level of angling activity (both individual and competition) will increase in . future as restoration and restocking of the canal proceed. ' Environmental impacts of such activity would include increased disturbance and possible contamination with discarded lead weights.

Disturbance 1 Disturbance of overwintering wildfowl by game-fishing anglers at two reservoir sites in South Wales was reported by Cryer*et al(1987). However, this occurred at average levels of 27-31 anglers perday in October and the only species involved which occurs on theRoyal Canal was mallard which is, in any case, strongly habituatedto ' human disturbance in urban locations. Tuite, Hanson and Oven (1984) concluded that course-fishing had the highest impact of various . recreational activities on overwintering wildfowl although the species most affected were teal, wigeon and shoveler which donot occur regularly on the Royal Canal due to lack ofsuitable feeding areas.

Disturbance of nesting birds by course anglers is not consideredto 1 . be a problem on the canal at present. However if certain stretches are subject to intensive use (especially in the period Marchto July) there is the possibility of breeding failure due toincreased nest predation when parent birds are kept away from thenest for long periods of time. This is especially likely for water birds such as mute swan, mallard and moorhen which have alimited amount of cover for nesting.

Disturbance of otters by anglers may be significant especially in areas which lack mature bankside trees for cover. As otters are mostly nocturnal in their activities they can tolerate certain 1 levels of disturbance and areas with little cover, but theycannot a tolerate a combination of the two (King and Potter, 1980). Observations made in the urban areas of Dublin, Cork, Limerickand Galway indicate that otters will tolerate high levels of disturbance. A statistical analysis of survey data in Ireland found no significant correlation between disturbance and the distribution of otters (Chapman and Chapman, 1982). However, there was some . evidence that otters changed their sprainting (territory marking) habits while disturbance levels were high. N

0 155 1 a

Discarded lead reichta a A study of mute swans in Ireland has shown leadpoisoning to be the cause of death in up to 68$ of post-mortsm examinationsfrom a s number of sites (O'Halloran, Myers and Duggan, 1988). Lost or discarded anglers' weights were identified as the-source of lead contamination at two sites. Up to 50% of live birds at one famous course-f#shing site showed elevated lead levels. This has recently been show& to have sub-lethal effects on co-ordination in thebirds causing them to collide with overhead cables (O'Halloran, layers and `. Dbggam, 1989). The problem began with the change from cotton to nylon4ishing line in the 1960s so that lead weights andhooks are frequently stripped off after a days fishing (O'Halloran, Myers and it Duggan, 1987). Up to 125 lead shot per m2 of surface areahave been found at one coarse fishery in South Males (Bell etal, 1985) and, while the density of course fishing in Ireland is considerably lover, some areas of intensively used water could become badly contaminated over a number of years.

5.3.2 Ina_res:ad mat traffic Restoration of navigation on the canal is designed toencourage greater use of the waterway by boats and this couldbe expected to have some ecologioal effects. However, the degree of impact will be related to the level of traffic. t of traffic: Past_ Mesh and" futnr. In the early years of the nineteenth century the RoyalCanal carried between six and eight passenger boats plying regularly between Dublin and Mullingar. By 1923 the naober of trading boats on the .a canal had reduced to thirteen and by 1946 therewere only two horse- drawn boats at work on the waterway. The last trader ceased to . operate his boats in 1951 and the last oamplete journeyfrom Dublin to the Shannon was made by a 30-foot pleasure boatin 1955. The canal was officially closed to navigation in 1961 (Delaney, 1966). E

Since then the level of boat trafficeven on the navigable sections has bees virtually nil although there has beenan increased level of activity in 1989 and 1990. In May-June 1990 a boat rally was held to nark the bicentenary of the construction of the canaland a total of six boats of various sizes made the return journeyfrom the 12th E look at Blanchardstown to Mullingar. The only regular boat traffic an this section of canal in the period 1986-1990 hasbeen those used by the Office of Public Works in annual herbicide applications.

It is difficult to predict the future level of boattraffic as this will &gmmd an how soon the canal is opened.at bothends. However, E if the- Gsaad Canal is used as a predictive modelthen it might be estimated that ultimately about 3.0.0-400 boats woulduse the Royal Canal throaghout the year (Brady, Shi Martin, 1987). The main actiI could be expected around Hal iajar (the gain population central and at Richmond Harbour where the canal connects intothe Shannon-navigation. If the circular route involving the Shannon, the Grand and Royal Canals ultimately becomes availableto boat traffic it could be speculated that all of the privatelyowned boats 0

J-% E N including barges (estimated at 1200) and the 400 hire cruiserson t the Shannon would be potential users of the canal inthe surer months (information from Emerald Star Line).

Imnacts on aquatic plants Boat traffic can have a significant negative impact on freshwater plant communities through physical forces such as wash, turbulence, ' propellor action (cutting effects) and direct contact. Chemical impacts generated by increased boat traffic may include pollution, either from fuel or sewage (Liddle and Scorgie, 1980). '

A significant reduction in abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation in British canals has been demonstrated through increased levels of water turbidity caused by boat traffic during the summer months ' (Murphy and Eaton, 1983). However, this only became significant when a 'critical' level of 2000-4000 craft movements per hectareper metre depth per year (my) was reached. Direct physical damage by ' boats is also a factor in limiting the abundance ofsubmerged plant cover and is the main factor in the control offloating and emergent plants however, in the case of emergents, the relationship withboat traffic is weaker (Murphy and Eaton, 1983).

Certain species of submerged plants such as Elodea canadensia are more tolerant of heavy boat traffic because they have numerous growing points and little or no dependanoe on roots. With low densities of boat traffic other more sensitive submerged species are favoured especially in the deeper water of the oentre ofthe canal in which floating-leaved plants are at a competitive disadvantage due to their vulnerability to propellor damage. These include Myriowullum app., which is abundant in the Royal Canal, PotamoQe_ton oris and Fontinalis antijyretica (Murphy and Eaton, 1983). Of special interest here is the occurrence of the rare pondweed Groenlandia densa at a clean, deep-water site on a disusedstretch of the Royal Canal (Dromey, in press and see Section3.2). It can be expectedthat an increase in boat traffic would limit the 1 distribution of the more sensitive species but is unlikely thatboat traffic would reach the high densities required to seriously limit the abundance of all submerged species. 1 Of the emergent plants Glyceria marima. which isabundant on the Royal Canal, is well-adapted to survive disturbance by boats andis quick to re-establish after physical damage (Murphy and Eaton 1983). Phalaria arundinnaea is also relatively difficult to erode. Some a emergent species such as canium are more easily eroded by the wash from high-powered motor boats (Liddle and Scorgie, 1980). Competition from vigorous growth of Glycerin maxima on the canal margins may also cause more sensitive species to decline. 1 Imnuts on aquatic animals Little is known of the effects of boating activities onfreshwater , animals other than birds and fish. However, it could be assumed that a reduction in diversity and abundance of aquatic plantswould have indirect effects on the invertebrate life in the canal. 1 0 07 0 1 Of particular importance would be the loss of cover for"thb larval a stages of some insects, such as water beetles, and theabsence of emergent plants on which the nymphs of dragonflies and damselflies em zV from the water. Similarly an increase in turbidity could a have-detrimental effects by reducing the feeding opportunities for some a+gsatio invertebrates and fish. M Direct disturbance to water birds from boat-based recreation has been-wail studied but mostly in the contest of wintering wildfowlon ores vaters such a: reservoirs and lakes (Batten, 1977; Tuiteet al, The only waterfowl species occurring in significant numbers ae-_tft-llopal Canal are mute swaa, mallard and moorhen. These speoios we relatively tolerant of disturbancs from boats compared with the M sore sensitive grebes and diving duck such as goldeneye andtufted drat do not occur on the canal. However, the limited area of cartage water available to provide refuges in the canal wouldmake 0 -even bsee three species intolerant of high levels of boat-based recreation. N DJ arbanoe of seats during the breeding season may be aproblem, sally for mute swan, but this is not considered tobear any rtlati,caship at present to boat-based activities. However, the wash 0 ereated by fast moving boats could pose a problem forbreeding moadheas which tend to build their nests at or nearwater level. The lame incidence of breeding soachem, at present an thenavigable M sections of the Royal Canal is related to dredging activities(see Section 4.2). 5.1.3Zwa e os t`.m Tha restaration-of the a mal also involves the re-opening topublic acome of mang sections of the towpath which had beooeeasergrown M dwrb q the past 30 to 40 }sears. This will be soctly restricted to pedeclrians, anglers or cyclists but It say involve vehicular access at oestain points for maintenance of=the canal and-to facilitate 0 tarsars. All of these uses have ecological impacts. T _W nn We tiers 0 Because of the steep banks associated with the canal itis unlikely that increased public access will involve damage to the plants growing an the water's edge or immikU ately above it. The exception a to this would be anglers wha would normally out backand marginal vegetation at their regular 'pegs'.They may also dig ost sloping banks to make space near the water's edge for keepnets and other equip*ent.The effect of this-sK be to change the tall bank vagotatian-to a short award ooataining sash tolerant speciesas r_ jiasaaae a Jer andftjn (Liddle and Scorgia, 198P). The level of damage caused by trampling an the levelpath will M depend partUUy on the substrata-and the wetness of the soil. A e:perimeatat trampling on Soottish loch shores found that the taller reed grasses such as Phrat orManilawere more susceptible to damage than the shorter sedges on drier,firmer oWntrate (Rees and

0 Of E M M Tivy, 1977). On well worn paths Rees (1978) found that the softer plants were replaced by harder-wearing species including Acror stis app. and PgL app. with Po nonum amnhibium. P.aviculare orfyosotis app. in the margins.

=act on animal life There is little published information on the effects of tramplingon the fauna of grasslands. One study in sand dunes found that trampling at the rate of 13 people/metre/hour was sufficient to reduce the soil fauna by about 90% (Buchanan, 1976).Even at low intensities trampling has a serious effect on the surface dwelling . animals such as beetles, molluscs, ants, and caterpillars of moths and butterflies. The survival of many of the flying insects depends on a variety of food for the adult and larvalstages and this may be significantly reduced by heavy trampling which tends to reduce the percentage cover, height and species richness of natural vegetation. However if the trampling is limited to only parts ofthe towpath . which do not contain rare or sensitive species then nolong-term damage should result. It is unlikely that the trampling on towpaths will have any significant impact on passerine bird species.

0 M 0 i

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M N

166 0 N m m m r m m m m r m m m r m m m m r m m APPENDIX 1 PLANTS OF THE ROYALCANAL ACCORDING TO HABITAT

PLANTS OF THE WOODLAND UNDERSTOREY Aegopodium podagraria Hedera helix a Ajuga reptans Hyacinthoices non-scriptus Arum maculatum Listera ovata Brachypodium sylvaticum Lysimachia nemorum i Bromus ramosus Oxalis acetosella Carex remotes Phyllitis scolopendrium C. sylvatica Potentilla sterilis Dryopteris dilatata Primula vulgaris D. felix-mas Ranunculus auricomus Equisetum telmateia R. ficaria M Fragraria vesca Sanicula europaea Geranium robertianum Veronica montana Geum urbanum Viola riviniana 0 Glechoma hederacea M

PLANTS ASSOCIATED WITH THEWOODLANDMEDGEROW EDGE M Aegopodium podagraria Hypericum androsaemum Alliara petiolata H. perforatum M Anthriscus sylvestris Lathyrus pratensis Arrhenatherum elatius Leucanthemum vulgare Avenula pubescens Phleum pratense Brachypodium sylvaticum Ranunculus repens Brassica raps Rum ex sanguineus Centaurea nigra Silene albs M Chenopodium album Sinapsis arvensis Cirsium arvense Sisymbrium officinale Dactylis glomerata Sonchus arvensis 0 Daucus carota S. asper Deschampsia caespitosus S. oleraceus Elymus repens Stachys silvatica M Epilobium angustifolium Stellaria graminea E. parviflorum Torilis japonica Equisetum arvense Tragopogon pratensis M Festuca arundinacea Ulex europaeus F. rubra Urtica dioica Heracleum sphondylium Veronica chamaedrys 0 Holcus lanatus Viccia cracca M M 0 0

168 M N 1 0 APPENDIX 1 cont. PLANTS FOUND ON A MARSH

E Agrostis stolcnifera Lycepus europaeus Alisma plantago-aquatica Mentha aquatica Alnus glutinosa Mycsotis scorpioides N Baldellia ranunculoides Oenanthe aquatica Caltha palustris 0. crocata Cardamine pratensis Pedicularis palustris 1 E Carex appropinquata Polygonum amphibium C. alata Potentilla palustrtis C. nigra Ranunculus sceleratus E C. panicea Rumex hydrolapathum Dactylorhiza fuchsii Salix spp. D. incarnata Scutellaria galericulata 0 Eleocharis palustris Triglochin palustris Equisetum palustris Veronica anagallie-aquatica E. variegatum V. beccabunga 0 Galium palustre V. cat enata 1 Hydrocotyle vulgaris V. scutellata Juncus articulatus 0 J. inflexus 1

0 1 EMERGENT SPECIES

0 Alisma plantago-aquatica Hippuris vulgaris Apium nodiflorum Iris pseudacorus 1 Berula erects Mentha aquatica N Carex acuta Menyanthes trifoliata C. acutiformis Phalaris arundinacea C. aquatilis Phragmites australis N C. rostrata Ranunculus flammula Cladium mariscus R. lingua 0 Equisetum fluviatile Scirpus lacustris E. palustre Sparganium erectum E. variegatum Typha latifolia 0 Glyceria maxima

0 SUBMERGED PLANTS AND PLANTS OF SURFACE WATERS N Callitriche app. Nuphar lutea 1 Ceratophyllum demersum Nymphaea albs Elodea canadensis Polygonum amphibium Glyceria fluitans Potamogeton crispus G. plicata P. lucens 1 Groenlandia densa P. natans 0 Hydrocharis morsus-range P. perfoliatus Lemna minor P. polygonifolius L. trisulca Ranunculus trichophyllus Myriophyllum spp. Sparganium emersum Nasturtium officinale Zanichellia palustris Algae Fontinalis antipyretics Chara app. N 169 1 N APPENDIX 1 cont. a PLANTS OF THE FENS Agrostis stolonifera Holcus lanatus a Alnus glutinosa Hydrocotyle vulgare Anthoxanthum odoratum Hyper i cuim pu l chrum Brizia 'media Juncus acutiflorus Cardamine pratensis J. articulatus Carex demissa J. subnodulosus C. diandra Lychnis floe-cuculi M C. disticha Mentha aquatics C. echinata Menyanthes trifoliate C. flacca Molinea caerulea M C. lepidocarpa Parnassia palustris C. nigra Pedicularis palustris C. panicea Phragmites australis 0 C. pulicaris Pinguicula vulgaris Centaurea nigra Potamogeton colortatue Dactylorhiza incarnata Potentilla erects 0 Equisetum fluviatile P. palustris Eriophorum latifolium Salix app. Festuca rubra Succiza pratensis M Filipendula ulmaria Triglochin palustris Galium uliginosum Valeriana officinalis Gymnadenia conopsea Veronica beccabunga M 0

PLANTS OF BOGS

*Andromeda polifolia Juncus bulbosus Calluna vulgaris Melampyrum pratense f Carex diandra Menyanthes trifoliate C. echinata Molinea caerulea C. panicea Myrica gale 0 C. pulicaris Narthecium ossifragum Danthonia decumbens Pedicularis sylvatica Dactylorhiza maculata Pinguicula lusitanica a Drosera rotundifolia P. vulgaris Empetrum nigrum Potentilla erecta Ericea cinerea Rhynchospora alba 0 Erica tetralix Schoenus nigricans Eriophorum angustifolium Scirpus caespitosus E. vaginatum f

* protected in Northern Ireland under the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 (Curtis and McGough. 1988). 0 0 0

1v. 0 . - APPENDIX 1 cont. WALL PLANTS

N Asplenium ruts-muraria Geranium lucidum A. trichomanes hedera helix Centranthus ruber Hypericum hircinum N Ceterach officinarum Linaria purpurea Crepis capillaris Poa pratensis Cymbalaria muralis Phyllitis scolopendrium Festuca rubra Sedum album 0 PLANTS OF NUTRIENT-POOR LIMESTONE GRASSLAND 1 0 Agrimonia eupatoria Knautia arvensis Anacamptis pyramidalis Leontodon autumnalis 0 Anthyllis vulneraria L. hispidus Avenula pubescens L. taraxacoides Brizia media Leucanthemum vulgare N Bromus erectus Linum bienne 1 Carex caryophyllea Linum catharticum C. flacca Listera ovata 0 Carlina vulgaris Lotus corniculatus- Centaurium erythraea Ononis repens Ceterach officinarum Orchis mascula N Cynosurus cristatus Origanum vulgare Dactylorhiza fuchsii Plantago lanceolata Daucus carota Primula veris 0 Euphrasia spp. Prunella vulgaris festuca rubra Rhinanthus minor galium verum Sanguisorba minor 0 Geranium lucidum Trifolium dubium Gymnadenia conopsea Trisetum flavescens 1 N Hieracium pilosella 0 TRAMPLE RESISTANT SPECIES Achillea millefolium Plantago lanceolata Agrostis stolonifera P. major 0 Bellis perennis Poa annua Bromus erectus P. pratensis Carex flacca P. trivialis N Convolvulus arvensis Polygonum aviculare 1 Cynosurus cristatus Potentilla anserina Dactylis glomerata P. reptans N Festuca rubra Taraxacum officinale 1 Hieracium pilosella Prunella vulgaris Holcus lanatus Rumex acetosella N Hypocharis radicata Sagina procumbens Leontodon hispidus Sanguisorba minor L. taraxacoides Trifolium pratense 0 Lolium perenne T. repens Lotus corniculatus Trisetum flavescens Luzula campestris Veronica chamaedrys 0 Medicago lupulina 1 N 1 171L 1 speciesThe la1 fa Dwxrence W on the 10Barvlry, of Win Top% farad end ie allBank :ms tons and stwmwk deq the thm Ihih M the 8byal UNIX 2 Canal: 41 the Ieeal Pnferenoe 111 of each of the MIT W. Tp. 1 8k. as a propertim of the total pspulatim of each species W. Tp. 11 8k. Bd. Tp.Ili of the tree =a within a ko section. 8k. Ch. Ch. Ch.I II III I II III SPECIES 61a 80 b 3a 4b 12 a 16 b a b 1a 1b a b a b a b1 a b a a a St. St. St.a a a AeppodimkhilleeAcv psoWWI&taw eillefoliue podagraria 1421 6216 62 49 6 25 47 36 147246 1006632 91 40 23 6333 28 1 1 4146 53 6100 26 71 t 44 1 4941 30 1 47 1 1 12 13 1417 39 1 45 41 1 18 1 AgrieaniaAmadus hippocastno wpAwia 10 87 1 1 1 1 13 1 10 873 131 13 1 14 1 21 1 18 111 35 1 19 1 37 1 20 3 100 19 35 32 1t 1 54 49 t 1 1 1 1 51 1 31 1 1 AiyaA.Agroetis raptam capillris stolmifra 43 30 t 89 41 86 39 t 4235 2642 1 4111 22 1 24 1 6430 3650 1 1 2041 1632 38 1830 1 14 1 9049 7038 12 1t 42 62 1 15 15 10 11 1 AllirisAlisna petialata plantgr gwtica 16I 66 1t t1 tl 13t 33 I 167612 86 t 1 1 2 14 15 8B 1 1 1 13 1 22 1 7 181 1 12 1 1 1 AlanAllim glutimu vioesle 12 33t 1 71 18 1 t 18 48 1 1t 57 100 21 1 1t 1t 19 5241 79 1 20 25 3333 50 63 50333 7 56 683331 1 1 21 20 1 1 61 41 AnagalIisAnacavtis pyraeidalisrvwsis 1tI 1 4 75t 1 1 25 1257 11 1 1 1 1 1943 1 1541 1 1 123231001 1027 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 11 Androwa6"allis twilapolifolia 15 t 16 t 16 t 19 t It t 5100 1t 1 t 1 3100 1 11 t1 1 1 12 1 1 1 1 Anthoeantkak6mariaAngelica dioicasylmtris odoratue 41100 9 31 t 63 t 1462 65 t 28 1 37 28 1 t 95 72 t 1 33 24 15 I 10 t 95 66 1 1 1t 33 46 1 1 1 45 1 14 Aethriwn sylvstris 15 46 1 1 12 37 1 1 6 17 1 4477 32 46 100 4014 111 15 1 3770 3928 3346 2446 1t 1l 73 37 19 12 1 3077 4239 1 1 1 51 35 1 63 14 AphanesAnthyllis rvemis wlneraria 4i 75 t 1 25 1 11100t 1 16 892501 1 1 1 2250t 11 1 i t 1I 1t 3t 5t1 18 t1 1 1 1 11 kWKiaArctimkin mdiflww oionrustics m 24 13 17 18 25 72 1 1 t7 20 1 14 2 100 56 14 16 11. 17 28 1 .1 83 2137 1 21 1 57 $ 185 226311 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 ArmArteisiskrkutk madatue ma wlgaris datim 4I 100 1 54 A 1 1 62 44 1 1 1484 39750 80 41 1 19 1 91 0750 12 51 1 32 1 41 1 26 t 67 42 1 15 10 1 31 10 3 t1 N 0 0 t 0 0 11 2 49 60 12 15 20 25 11 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 i APPEIBIIX 2 cont. UNIT a Bd. b a Tp. 1 b a Bk. b a Bd. b a Tp. 11 b a Bk. b a Bd. b a Tp.III b a Bk. b Ch. Ch. Ch.aI II a III a St. St. St.a 1 11 a 111 a SPECIESAspleniw ruta-wraria 1! 1 ! t 1t 4 1 5100 t 1 3 100 1 t 1 t 1 1 1! 1 1 25 71 67 A.Atriplex spp. trichounes I 1l1 875 3251 1 67 17 100 35 t 1I11 1t 77 1I 41 1 t 1 tI t 59 t! 41 1 1 2 1 5 451I t1 52 t1 BaldelliaAvmWa pubescum ranunculaides t1I 1 !!t l1 1 1 31 51 5100 27 9145 24 t 47 1 51 1 26 t 1830 22 t 15 t 53 37 1 1 1 t 1 21 81 1 31 41 Bellis peremis 1 53 97 1 1 1 1 65 55 35 30 I t! Berula erecta t t 1 t 1 1 t t 11 1 3 100 1 1 56 1 1 1 BlackstoniaBetula spp. perfaliata 12 1 69 1 31 15 1 31 100 15 t117 78 1t 1 t1 I2 22 t 10 39 1 1 131 1 13 1 50 1 1 1 13 I 1 4t k"W Brachypodiu4BrassicaB. rapa pimatum sylvaticum 35 89 1 1 4111 11 1/1 t 23 71 7866 t11 1 12 2 22t 34 t 64 3 100 46 26 1 19 1 49 1 35 1 1t t1 1t 1 1l 1 1 Brizia aedia 1019 4831 35 1555 38 t 16 6 14 t 1453 5429 77 1 41 56 30 20 1 17 68 55 1 1 35 28 1t 1t-2 l 31 t5 l! 13 11 BroB. us erectus hardeaceus t t t 1 1 1 2 18 9 62 t 12 46 1 1 3 25 t I t 1 1 1 I t t BuddlejaB. davidii raKm 11 1t 72 1 14 28 t 1 1 2 2950 1t 1 25 1150 3 100 650tI 1t 325I1 t t1 1t 1 12 6t 1 CallitricheCalluna vulgarisspp. I t1 1 1100 1 t1 1 19 51005 100 46 4!t 9I1 19 I1 45 t1 51 63 1 1 1t 10 3I 37 77 t 1 1 21 t2 46 t8 t1 1 1 1 CalthaCalystegia palustris sepiuo silvatica 12 1I 29 1I 10 23 1I 1t 21 1t 48 1 39 9 100 43 9 10 t 42 47 1 54 45 3 221 t 26 1t 21 1 41 1 34 1 11 1 18 1 13t 36 1t C.CardmineCapsella bursa-pastoris flnuosa 6 1 5015 26 1 5073 14 12 1 2 100 17 18 1t 66 1 17t 16 1 8t1 35 t 15 13 50 65 31 50 1t 1 1 11 1 1 1 C. pratemishirsute 1I 33 t 1I 33 t 1 33 19 2331 24 18 23 1466 42 53 1t t 13 18 t 12 30 1 1t 23 62 t 1 23 41 1 t1 t! 3 7 Carduus scanthoides 1 20 1 20 14 60 1 19 t 1 t 1 1I 1 1t t 1 t 1 t 1 1 C.Crex acuta scutifonis 46 10 4 8 44 82 721 23 1 4 36 23 77 15 45 1 1 1 t 1t 15 100 1 43 t 16 2B t I t1l tt C. cryaphylleaappropinquata 1tt 1t tt!t l1 1I 1t 2 33 t411 66 t 1 1 1 3 211 1 16I 43 t 5t 36 1 1 13 1 1 t 1t m m m m m m deism 1100 t i t t t m M M M M M tM MA 3100 6 t t I PIRMIX 2 cant. OUT a We b a TO. I b a Bk. b a N. b a Tp. If b a Ike b a fide b a Tp.Ill b a b 11it. Ch. Q.a1 II a 111 a At. 9t. 9tea1 If a III a C.9918 dim*& 1 1 1 41 1 1 21 2100 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 a. 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 C. elate«hiwt8disticba 1311 1 t4 1 32 % 1t 100 t 51002 2713 1 1 51 73 1t 1 131003 17 13 tA 33 15 t 1 1 16 23 1 1 1 1 1 C. birtsflan 31 11 7 1442 56 t 36 2225 5733 3921 2124 5936 4429 t 39X 144721 07 25 3022 25 50 4143 I t 41 3 3534 1 15 t15 13 31 17 C. nigralepidocarpa 1t 1 1 4 43 II 35 89 6 57 152 3550 1 19 17 1 26 412 50 3 505 19 1 1 3 50 12 1 14 1t 35 1 1 1 C. panicalatapanicsaotrdw 1 4t 13 34 1 31 M 0 66 19 23 1 1 23 27 1 1 42 50 1 1 13 30 1 1 12 21 1623 1 1115 42 53100 1 21 31 4 1 1 11 C. motepulicaris 711100 45 1 1 554100 / 111 t 12 2100 71 11 1 5 29t7100 3 46 4931001 15 1t 16 t1 33 1510035 1 1 1t 12 51 1 1 1 C. sylvaticarastrats 10 100 1t 1 t14 61 72 1t 94 1t 15 427 11 1 1 1 58 89 59 1041 32 26 21 3 10 31 1131 2 71 1 77 49 1 1 t13 t 1 1t CwtaureaCrlina aigravoloris sM 28 t 19 1 61 t 3A 1 7117100t 41 1 91 1 34 1 91 1 34 1 271 100 2 t 72 1 31 11 1 1 1 37 1 17 1t t 1t 1 11 1 CaetrantbusCsntariua erythraea rubar t 1 31 t1 1 1 1 1 1 1 86 32 1 1 3 100 1 76 32 1 1t III 1 1 1 12 15 14 '45 371 1 1 C.Arastiun fantanua glaaratua 11506 13 1 25 60 1 1 50 1 11 1t 27 1 12 225t 12 t 77 4 501t 79 1t 29t 25 9 18 2t 20 19 56 56 9 60 25 25 t 1t 1t 1t 15' 13 13 14 CetrachCrstophyllua off iciwo dew= 10 1001100 t1 1 13 1 12 10021001 1 11 1 1 1 31 100 1 1 1 1320 1 1 21 1t t3 1 t 11 t OCbaaonilleDwo N*Wiw cypris suaveolansalbus laosaniam 13 10 1 19 7 100 74 14 16 1 27 100 17 32 78 2 5 5A 221 1673 2126 70 61 t 53 27 16 1 1 1 1 15 1$ 316 1 1 GC.Cirsiue rvow palustre 24 t 24 1 1539 5544 311226 30 4045 3774 3552 3286 40 3 t t 4653 4025 t t 51 36 29 4435 32 33 4443 32 1 2 13IA 1 13 1 CleastisClaim M vitalba IS= vdgare 18 233 100I t 29 37 t t 1t 1 39 34 1 11 23 20 1 1 53 4617 100 1 30 936 22.t1 1 23 21 1 1 30 36 1 1 1 1 12 1 13 t1 t1 4t 11 t 1 a 0.$ 1 4t M m 0 rm 0 0 m 0 m m 0 0 0 0 m 0 0 0 m m APPEIIDIX 2 cant. UNIT Bd. b a Tp. I 8k. Bd. b a Tp. II a Bk. b a Bd. b a Tp.III b a Bk. b Ch. Ch. Ch.aI II a III a St. St. St. a1 if a III a SFECIES a 1 1 1b a b 1a 1 b1 5 100 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ConvolvolusCarylusCoeloglossua avellana arvensis viride 18 1t 72 1 t1 61 10 1008t 22 i 5 100 16 1. 1 1 26 1 84 1 49 1 58 1 91t 10 1t 28 3 100 32 1 1t t1 1 1 1 1 CrataegusCotoneaster spp. "yna 97 1 6550 24 1 5016 1 28 t 1 19 1 93 54 5 100 14 1t 18 67 1 38 1 100 3 4034 50 31 2133 97 3 3339 1 12 13 21 29 61 44 1 C.Crepis binmis capillris 1 1 11 1 41 34 7 55 1 14 5 71 18 45 56 21 2 2629 1 1t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 12 10 3 4 CyclaeenC. bederifoliua vesicaria 1 1 1I 1t 1t t 16 t 44 1 4 1 12 1 16 2 1001 44 18 25 t 15 1 45 1 10 30 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 41 CydalriaDactylisCynosures suralis glaaersta cristatus 4011 11 1812 8753 58 l 100 40 9326 3042 1 100 3470 29 5 100 95 9539 32 100 77 32 34 1 9033 32 11 17 100 5291 11 33 5997 35 31 1 1 81 11 8 1 2616 3 4 D.Dactylorhiza fuchsii incarnata 1t t 1 t1 t 1 tt 1 1 16 3 1 19 15 1 33 57 1I 15 1 it 1 44 32 77 I 57 t 1t 12 25 51 1 1 1 1 DanthmiaD. decuabens mKdata t 1 t 1 t 1 t 1 1 1 1 21t 100 1 1 1 1 1 t1 1 3 501 1 1I I1 1 13 50 1 1 1 1 1 1 11. 11 1 Des&wsiaon= carota caespitasa 11 8 2815 1 2417 1 4441 1 2511 2844 1 2149 34 1 34 1 50 1434 1 23 1 4626 4332 1 2013 37 1 16 1 36 45 9 17 2533 3946 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 161 41 DroseraDesaazeria rotundifolia rigida 19 1t 93 1 t1 71 1t t1 5 100 1 1 9t1 18 1 5 100 1t 1t 13 1 28 t 1I 1t 1t 2t 10 t 7t EchumDryopteris vulgare f i l is-m t 1 1 1 1 1 42 82 2 100 18 1t 1 1 1 33 72 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ByesElodnEleacharis repenscanadensis palustris 1t 1 33 49 1 1 8 1 12 1 14 2 100 40 1 1 12 9 821 34 1 15 3 271 42 1 61 16 1 15 8 731 42 1 15 1 195 31 13 31 1 1 1 1 Eapetrum nigrum 26 39 t1 20 t 41 60 1 1 20 1 23 92 2 100 19 26 1 21 81 35 100 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 31 1 E.E.Epilabiua aWistifolim aantanuahirsutum 24 4 6030 24 1 2030 32 1l 2040 3916 64 44 1114 41 46 9 36 52 38 1 71 1 31 51 13 3100 24 1 17 15 1 25 23 16 41 m = m w== m E.E. palustreprviflorum 41 15 1 10 33 3 50 15m3 50m m 52m = m m 12 2100 71 1 1 15 29 1 51001 1 12 60 1 1 18 40 1 1 m =5 351i A m 1 21 13 1 ti UNIT MR SIX 2 cot. rMis a Id. b a Tp. 1 b a 8k . b a Id . b a T p. 11 b a Ak. b a .. b a TO.III b a Ak. b Ch. Ch. Cb.aI It a III a St. Sta1 11 a . StIII a . E i w arvenw 22 23 1 36 38 37 39 77 37 45 22 86 41 1 1 1 EE .v. u t palustref1 wiatile 11 100 10 1 14 27 1 10 1t 63 1 23 505 72 14 19 19 41 1072 38 21 1235 36163 6 133585 397344 17 11642 10 5 1 13 t1 EriE . ca e wrioptwtelex Wa ix 1 t 3 341100 t 6 66 1 5 421 1 1t1 1 17 58t228 1t 15825 50 t 1 1 81005 50 1 1 18 1 1I 1t 1t EEri . q * " bVustifoliwt t ra ll atifoliw 1i 1t 14 100 1 1t 1 75100 100 1 1 1 11 155100 63 1 13 371 1 1 1 1t 10 11 1 1 1 1 EaE u e"m. arapaew wliaatw 371 100 71 1 100 t 21 1 1 15 100 1 t1 1 11t 1 15 84 350 3 163 50 1 t 1 1 1t 1 1 1 1 EOWN spa t w i &w awabiewhdi escopis t1 20 1 14 At 1 11 is2 1 19 54 1 1 1 1 16 46 1 1 31 50 1 31 50 1 18 100 1t 1 1 11 15 61 1 Fs&*msiaS*ff is $ peplos pus sy vatia pp. 40 91 1 6 17756 801 3 34 19 6 14425 1002100 1t 1t 1958 1 5391 1 1 1 8611 11 1 1 11 31 - 1 1 11 FFestuca . purpura al a ens nacea 71 100 17 21 t 54 1 11 1 29 1 21 1 39 1 41 71 30 54 t1 1 23 89 1 1 15 1t 16 1 51 13 54 1 1 1 13 1 It 1t 1t 1t F . p wd urup lr wib rat i s 2174 37 8 27 14 78 1535 50 76 33 7 23 100 77 1 413 41 100 33 1 1 106 33 2 100 973 30 35 1 1 82 30 1 1 97 35 t 1 1 1 51 18 t 30 77 1t 1 74 1t FrFeenialFili ari aue velavu a u li yarewia 1483t 1 44 2 1 1 92 50 1 1 11 2100 19 15 100 54 1 t1 49 20t 1 26 1 15 t 100 57 1 1 1 33 02 1 1 18 61 1 17 FuchsiFraxi w m s exe l s i ar 92 57 15 317 10 1 53 23 1 1 04 1979505100 1 1 06 50 52 954964 44 1 1 211216 10 1 100 46 1520 1 1 151 51 5 521 40 115 66aliFuwi w apar sa oup ffi i aecil i naaeia l is 12 23 1 11 1 25 45 1t 100 16 32 1 1 1 1 411! 31 51 tI 39 tt 1 1 18 6t 66 9 3t 34 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 .. upa l ustre 1 1 14 10 1 39 90 1 1477 32100 18 1 1 63 82 1 1 97 49 15 12 1 1 1 36 8580 42 1 1 149 87 t 1 1 36 14 6enniw6 di. vow li gimm 15 22 1 1 49 47 1 1 39 1 31 11. 7 29 10037 54 26 1 1 79 37 1 1 . 56 26 1 1 73 34 1t 1 87 40 1 1t t 1 13 39 22 1 1 6 .. WiI scidw"K g t w i 1t 1 1 1 1 t 1 !1 t1 1 1 1 1 6140 1 11 11 01 11 1 1 1 41 0 m ! 210 m 610 1 0 0 4 WIT 1 NKMIN 2 cant. 11 111 1 11 111 I 11 111 SPECIES a Bd. b a Tp. b a Bk. b a Bd. b a Tp. b a Bk. b a Bd. b a Tp. b a Bk. b Ch. Ch. Ch.a a a St. St. St.a a a 6. pyrenaicuo 61 1 7620 14 4 6017 7 1 20 7 1 1 1 1 14 t 21 1 t 41 1 18 t 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 1 15 1 6m urbanw rabertianw 31 % 1 1 4 1 1 3053 79 72 1 1 12 1 18 1 5182 47 21 20It 3562 3338 1t 1 1 21 13 1 1 6lyceria6lechoma hederaceafluitans 21 6100t 18 1 100 t 1 11 1 5 100t 1 1t 1 1 1 54 t 46 1 21 t 21 1 23 23 1 1 1t 1t 1 1 1 1 6.6lyceria maxima plicata 1 1 29 3 1i 1 67 1 57 1 19 2 100 17 1 1 1t 95 83 1 1 8 20 1 t 1 33 1 80 t 85 98 1001 1 3 1 t 1 1 6yxWmia6roenlandia cmopsea densa 87 It 91 t 8i1 91 t 111 1 12 35 t 41t 11 1 1419 I 5414 i 3111 12 9I 36 t 13 t 52 1 1t 51 1 1t l1 1t wH it HieraciwHeraclewMen helix sphondyliwpilosella 29 31 1 36 1 39 1 28 1t 30 t 7264 4586 36 22 53 33 7292 4153 56 289 5 6472 42 31 1.t 1t 13 29 58 3 16 6 70 74 H. spp. 1t 1 1 1t 1 1t 12465100 9351t 1t 519t1 1 1546 1 3271t 1 327I t 1 1t 1 1t 3 1 lkHolcusHippuris rdew murinumlanatus vulgaris 19 11 16 58 47 46 37 1 61 5 100 32 86 1 34 1 88 34 69 1 30 73 1 32 1 67 3 100 38 1 22 1t 9 381 15 1 13 10 1 1 Hyacinthoides non-scriptus I It 11I t 1 t 1 91005 501 1 1t 1 1t5 50 1t 13100 1t 1 1 1t 1 t 1t t 1t 3 1 t1 HydrocotyleHydrochris owsus-ranae vulgris 111 1 1 1t 1t 1 1 100 1 1 1 1t 1 1 1t 3 50 1 1 3 50 1t 1t 3823 1 t 1 1 H.Hypericw androsaaor hirciwm 31 1 t t 1 1 14 1 25100 50 1 1 2 50 1539 1 t 1 861 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 H. pulchrorperforator 1 29 1 1 11 16 3057 1 1 t 14 19 56 21 1 91t 13 1t 44 17 44 1 5275 63 17 631t t 8423 37t 1 1 1 1 13 1 Hrpochris radicata tetrapteror 1 20 16 80 5 26 70 t 1 37 22 7 100 77 47 1 51 1 3166 1 33 20 8 73 43 13 16 106238 3777 26 1 12 813 12 16 16 14 JuncosIrisIlex pseudacorus aquifolioracutiflorus 26 II95 11 1 19 1 17IB 76 t 71 39 29 1 1 t ' 95 71 28 1874 17 13 3 85 80 12 1 42 77 1 1 1 1 1 J. bulbosusrticulatus 1t 14 11 30 25 66 7 83 12 5t 100 27 14 100 9 28 64 t 1t 38 1003250 19 36 1t 1B3 5032 1 1t 16 1 13 15 1 1 1 1 J.J. effususconglomeratus 12 1 24 1 10 111100 18 31 2 111 t 35 37 t 1 91 9t 51 t 54 1 53100 13 3t 91 30 79 1 1 1 71 13 1 1 1 1 AP WII 2 cant. s Id. Tp. 1 Bk. W. Tp. 11 8k. Tp.III 8k. 1 II 111 1 If III SfEC16 a 7 4b 31 a 31 b a b a 17 b a b a b a N. b a b a b Ch. ch. Ch.a a a St. St. St.a a a J.J. submdulasusinflexus 1 13 10 1 50 1 76 1065 87 4 21 513016 6841 50 29 41 51 212393 5954 27 51 38 100 66 6 15 91 1116 t 1872 76 1 1 t 1619 1 15 1 1 1 1t 4 1 LamesLudia purpureusalbaa rvessis 6 291 1 1 50 1 1 100 50 71 78 1 1 1 21 22 1 1 1 1 1 3t 100 23 1 1t 1 1 12 13 1 1 LathpusLrixlapum op.pratensis ceneunis 17 t7I 20 14 t 24 68 1 1 14 1112 21 2100 70 36 t9 30t 17 t 1t 1t 18 42 1t 1 15 1 35 1 10 231 44 1 1 1 1 31 16 1 LLema minor 17 100 1 28 40 1t 1 37 46 1 11 77 3827100 100 1 1 93 45 1 1 62 295100 59 27 1 11 97 1 1 11 11 39 3852 35 12 61 1 1 4100 LUwAoim aimalis trials hispida 17 20 1 1 47 58 1 1 1 l8 22 11 1 35 1938 24 2736 29441 3026 3233 5t 20t 1t 12 486 100 81 32 t 1 1 1 31 63 1 LeycateriaLeuantheausL fore rul4re taraxa eiis 4 17 1 14 59 1 16 24 1t 60 26571 54 46 1 t 33 28 1229 1 41 5171 29 1 50 155036 49 103335 1 1 1 1 511' -1 t 42 30 1 1 LinriaLiqustra purpura vulgris 62 75 t 1 16t 17 15 18 42 5100 112 1 t . t 19 18 1 85 62 15 11 11 1 38 27 1 1 1 1 13 1 1t 174 Listenlinen1. biome aYata atharticue 4231t 1 1161 1 1 111 1 2t 50 1t t1 2 50 111 1 1t 1 1 1 11 1 1 ' 1 2 1 41 Lolim pereme 4 61 44 1 1 67 1 18 1316 27 1 28 21 7717 78 82 184463 t t 2116392 22 16 13 50820 16 5621543 7111 10f01026 1339 1 t1 t1 1t 01 1 L.Lmieva nitida periclymA 18 18 75 72 4 17 13 25 11 21 9100 70 91 30 1 t 1 67 64 8 73 15 1 14 1 23 223 27 1 1 31t 1 16 4t LutulaLotusL. aapestris cQniallatus xylastrue 11 1 2050 1 29 54 1t 11 14 1 2650 1 77 1433 1 20 1 91 t 38 1 70 299t 12 1 1033 24 1 15 1 56 40 1 1 51 1 36 1 41t 1 t 1 1 61 71t LycapusLychnis floceurRm" wculi 1 1 3100t 1 t 1 7100 50 68 1 1 21001 1 13 50 1 48 59 1 1 18 26 13 50 1 1 51 851 11 10 11 14 LythrunLysieechia salicria newo 41 12 1 14 1 42 1 15 46 1 t 1 1 21 tI 31 t1 1I t1 35 62 1 1 10 255 63 31 71 21 68 2 37 11 19 25 1 1 1 31 1t1 Ildwhales sylsestrissap. 6 100I t 1t 1t 1t 1 2 5031 11t 1 2 50 13 100 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 NKWII 2 cont. INIT a Bd. b a Tp. I b a Bk. b a Bd. b a Tp. It b a a. b a Bd. b a Tp.III b a Bk. b Ch. Ch. Ch.a 1 11 a 111 a St. St. St.aI II a III a MedicagoSPECIES lupulina 4 1 10 1 25 58 1 1 14 32 1 16 17 59 1 60 1 23 1 23 1 5 B 50 1 71 1 15 1 21 1 1 1 1 1 31 10 1 7 1 MenthaMela Wus aquatica pretense 4 1 6 26 34 2146 t 60 28 2 100 31 14 14 60 65 13 3 100 19 19 13 1 46 68 1 44 85 3 23 1 1 MenyanthesMolinea caerulea trifoliata 1 10 5 6 201 40 1 71 5075 1 12 5 42 36 19 28 1 12 7 3658 5 3663 6 43 13 37 21 1 32 39 1 15 90 31 14 1 1 M.MyosotisM. arvensis discolor 1I 1t 1t 1 1 1 141009 43 1 1 1 1 12 1 57 1 1 13 33 1 16 67 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 M. scarpioidesIm 1 1 1 1125 34 1 43 661 75 1 7 58 1 1 1 5 42 1 1 31 19 1 8100 21 1 12 1 62 1 1 1 MyricaMyriaphyllua We spp. 1 1 1 1 100 1 1 1 1 25 10072 1 1 1 12 28 1 100 18 50 51 1 1 15 1 66 63 1 1 183 1 1 1 j NasturtiumNarthecium offossifragw icinale 10 1 63 1 14 28 1 l 9 12 5 100 70 1 1 1 1 5 291 1 1 1 1 1 13 100 1 1 8015 28 77 5146 1 . 13 1 NymphaeaROW lutea alba 1 1 1 1 1 t1 t 1 1 t 1 1 1 I 1t 1 1 1 Odontites verna 3 5 35 61 19 1i 34 1 33 t 21 1t 86 56 1 1 35 23 1t 1t 13 3 1 56 1 60 1 35 1t 37 1t 1I 1t 5t 1 13 t1 Oenanthe aquaticscrocata 1t 1 1 1tI 1t 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 9 100 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1518 1 1 13 1 OphrysOnonis0. repens apifera fistulosa 1 100 1 17 62 1 14 38 1 71 44 1 1 1 210019 56 1 1 1 1 1 13100 1 1 15 1 11. 1 1 11 Orchis eorio 3 1001 6 10 1 44 1 11 1 50 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11' 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 OKalPapaverOriganue i s acetosel spp. vulgare l a 13 66 1 6 1 7534 1 1 12 5 361 71 1 1 1 9 641 1 153 3937 1 3 23 5 3863 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Parnassia palustris 1 1 3 1001 50 13 251 50 1 7 100 1 1 5 291 1 13 50 1 3 1001 50 1 1t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 PetasitesP.Pedicularis hybridus palustris sylvatica 1 1 1 1 1 1 12 21002 50 27 91 21 1 2 501 1 5100 33 3 1 33 1 13 100 1 1 1223 1 1 13 1 1 PhleuePhalaris pratense arundinacea 2124 20 6036 4729 6247 3351 58 2834 33 54 31 1 t 605823 523567 56 24 5 34 82 36 1 1 9210 66403 33 29 63 1 2 13 8 t1 13 1t M = = r = = = = w = Phragmites australis 1 1 3 40 4 60 12 32 1 1 26 68 = = = = = M3 = M17 r 6 31 10 52 7 33 23 1 1 1 II '.I911M.1 m. 1 I WVI12.141 II 011411M I I ElqlllliLjwl"womiT 2 dent. WT N. b Tp. I b a b. b TIL h fp. If b Ilk. M. Tp.111 Ilk. Ch. Ch. Ch.111 III 1 Il 111 PiwllitisSPECIES scolowwium 26i 90 i1 5 1 5 42 82 i 1i 1 9i 11 b a h 1i b1 a h 1a 1a 1a I. St. St.a a a ` FiPi o nsp spp. neils snifnpa 14 3 100 l9 44 62 t 1 14 11 19 53 29 2100 73 40 11 51 31 1 1 380 90 30 1 1 64 1 45 1 33 0 1 1 1 1 31 16 2 1 1 18 4 PPi . nlr i i ada lusitanica 1 1 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 13 100 1 1 1 1 49 32 1 1 1 1 1 1 15 26 1 1 PPi . nes radicats sy vestris wllris 14 1 90 1 t 1t 10 1 1t 1 22100 100 11 1 1t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 81 1 1 PPl . an t ago lanceolita l NOW 24 4 16 5 6467 46 76 56 38 17 77 29 751oo 8 95 36 93 35 7 7 62 275100 82 36 82 37 t 1 1 t 1 5 32 1 1 P oi .avw p a t ens i s 14 3 11 6 75 62 32 l427 6 12 79 32 6486 7735 85 27 6681 3733 4438 1829 20 22 5059 3866 4413 3314 1t 1 1 1 10 t 1 p P oi. sap. t rr i via li s 17 45 1 39 82 18 55 1 1 1 8866 36 73 29 1 86 35 1 1 38 1 21 1 5668 34 1 31 1 8767 48 1 44 1 1 12 1 t 1 .1 12 32 -1 1 1 - P o. l yli l a urpy vu l ll i sifolia 1 1 1 1 1 1t 5 toot t t t 12 1 43 1 5 36 6 43 3 21 1 1 13 1 1 1 PPol . ylMw mo av lr ca ib areius 1 1 1719 24t 75 61 76 14 7 25 14 23 229 32i 67 64 85 36 9 21 6 43 25 56 66 17 26 51 1 1 1 P . pws i l 1 17 6 25 5 32 1 19 56 1 12 12 13 40 2112 4348 3 12 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 PePol pu yp i usdi Wp. us w l lrei cria 12 64 1 1 41 50 23 1 13 331 81 2t1 100 1 1 1 12 100 1t 13 26 1 1 1 1 t 1 l5 1 31 1 1 1 13 1 1 1t 1 1 PotPat awWmasole "tans t on cr i spus 1 1 1 1 1 1 51 l00 1 1t 1 1 1 1 1t 1 1 13 1001 1 l4 7 10 3 12 1 1 P .. poper l Ylonifoliusf o li atus t1 1 I1 t1 1 1 51001 1 1 1 1I 1t 31001 1 11. 1 1 1 l1 37 44 1 22 3 1 1 1 PPotai o. t en tillole t a anseripsoi Wp erecta 19 1 15 1 1 3 43 6I 57 t 57 42 4I 43 t 49 25 1 1 86 45 I 19 t 51 30 1 1 41 t 20 t 76 37 I t 88 43 1 1 1 21 36 5 1 61 1 PP . reppa l ustrist ins 26 1t 20 1 49 37 1 1 57 43 1 1 3726 5635 t l 14 19 13 1 56 1252 25 1 1 1610 3 50 1937 19 21 1 23 3 50 42 1 21 1 31 1 1 10 1 41 1 P r. i mu l a veris s t er i l i s 11 100 1 1 1 t1 1 1 75 9 100 30 54 i 41 t 26 23 1 t 29 3 2716 5629 5230 3 16 231349 5166 21 1t 1 l3 1 1 It 1 1 1 . vu l ar i s 12100 1 1 1 1 28 59 14 25 14 25 33 64 9 17 10 19 1 1 1 1 1 1 M N e . m . p o m m o m m M E M O N O N E m o m WNIk 2 cont. MIT a Bd. b a Tp. 1 b a Bk. b Bd. b Tp. 11 Bk. b Bd . b T111 p. Bk . Ch 1 . ChIf . ChIII . St I . S II t. St. III SPECIES 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1i 1b i i 1i 1b 1i b1 1a a a a a 1a P.Prunus avid spinosa 1243 53 14 17 25 30 3 12 46 5 66 24 14 4 5 35 72 4134 77 3 100 32 71 30 92 38 1 1 1t 18 l 1 61 21 PulicariaPteridium dysenterica aquilinw 1 53 1 10 48 35 1270 4 1230 59 30 40 1 47 1t 7 6023 1 67 1 37 1 53 30 1 t 59 33 1 1 1 1 1t 1t 16 17 R.RanOuercus mlus a". acris bulbosus 26 76 7 13 25 47 1 1 21 1 40 1 65 5 100 30 9168 t 6031 2886 t 1839 44 8t 1730 3253 t 36 1 49 33 16 1 1 191 10 1 1 1 1 1 R. circinatus i1 t 1 1 1 t 1 1 1 33 1422 1 74 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 66 1 518 38 1 14 1 1 1 1 61 814 R. lingwflmdaficaria 1I 1l 3 1 16 9 1514 8491 5 42 10 1 t 1 44 75 5826 90 18 62 1 1 13 50 1 3 10050 5119 16 46 1 1 1 H 00 R. scelerstusrepens 31 t 21 t 50 35 64 44 t 72 33 I 59 27 t 88 40 59 30 53 26 88 44 1 41 3372 69 7 51 1 1 t 3t 1 H R. trichaphyllus I 1 1 7tt 1t ti 42 1 7t t 1 1t 1t t t t 1t ti t 1t 1 Reseda luteola 4 1 22 5 15 5236 12 8 43 19 3188 27 43 16 i2 22 10 t 11 3 140 51 1 1 1t 1t 1 l 1t 1 t 1t RmaRhynchosporaRhinanthus canina sinoraog. ilbi 81 11 72 14 1100 13 17 t 15 1 67 69 1 1 1 1l 30 t 3126 1 79 3100 59 1844 t 13 1 33 38 1 1 1 12 20 1 31 1 7 1 R.Um fruticosus agg. 93 52 1 43 1 24 1 43 1 24 1 98 46 32 t 15 t 64 39 100 39 65 .125 9538 3628 1 1 17 35 1 27 1 61 1t 63 1 R.Rums acetosa cwgloeeratusi d*w 1 81t 10 I 58 t 61 34 1 21 12 50 60 1 9 261t 1t 52 10050 14 13 13 100 94 1 13 16t 1 1t 1 1 1 13 1 1 1 R. hydrolapathwcrispus 3181 100 854 1426 1 21 11 1 111 16 t 89 t 1 1 1 1 10 100 1 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 R. obtusifolius 4 100 8 29 52 1I 1 t 22 40 1 35 26 36 37 1 1t 26 27 13 40 t 12 36 8 24 1t 23 72 t 10 1 1 1 1 S.Sagina nodosa smgdnws t 1 1 t 1 100 1t 5 2419 50 1 4 19 12 9 50 57 1 1 49 1 19 33 t1 135 100 18 1 1 3 1 13 1 S.Salix alba prmwbm 1070 1i 1t 3201100 1 1 110t 1 2550 1t . i1 550t 5881 1 1 1 3121 1 1 11 1 12 1 4 SS. . ccapreaaurits nerea 12 5100 45 41t 15 1 11 1 40 1 1 18. 1 1t 751009 82 1 t 1t 1l t 1 1 t1 t 1 3 1 1 m i 9 56 44 5 12 m 38 88 7m m 44 1 1 s 6 1 N"1111 2 mat. 1 11 111 1 111 SPECIESWT a Id. b a Tp. b a a. b a Me b a Tp. II b a R. b a Id. b a Tp.III b a It. b Cb. DO a.a a a .R. St. Stea lI a a S.S. pefngilis lwu 15 14 20 33 10 22 4 20 2112 60 45 1 25 2242 1t 1 7 7815 5 301 1 1 31000 62 1 1 13 1 1 1 1 S. visinalisrqm 1450 1 t1 1t1 4501 5245100 1t 1 121676 71 1 3 50850 t 13 50 1 0501 1 1 2 13 53 11 1 1 S&*urbaSa 6mm sign siw W. 74 1084 19 31 6t 56 9 14 63 100 26 7 1474 325 29 74 27 63 1 t 26 262 5 5620 100235 47 63 29 45 1035 605 24 14 1 15 1 11 3 26 1 11 1 Sasicela eurapm 1 1 100 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 73 3 27 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 BeScirpusSc,1 ueppitsmis sigric4m 1t 1 1t 1 1 1 27710 100 18 1t 1 t1 1 156 10057 1 13 21 1 3 221 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1-kto SatellrisScrq Wria galericulata wim lamtris 1 1 t1 1 310tt 1 2 501 1 1 1 9 82250 1 5 50 1 t11 1 81005 50 74 49 511 1 18 1 I1 6 11 N BeS.Senecio iWicus ralcifolia 10 111 13 1 tI t1 22 1 30 1 27 5022 41t 12 1 21 250t 66 t1 31 1 116 371 1 10 63 1 1 1 1 10 15 41 3I1 1 S. vulgarisjacebaea 1 51 196443 57 1 1 1031 1 1 46 124030 50 324161 1 9 38 936 104733 35 33629 38 36524 1 121 1 648 22 1 Sit=Swrdia albs arvensis 11100 1 1 1 1t 1 14100229 1 t 1 t571 1 1350 1 31003501 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1't12.1 1 1 Sil*mSispbriusSisapsis wim uvessis off icinale 1 18 12 992 1 1 1t 1 14 2 3318 14 14I 3336 I 14 5I 45 34 t 5 5029 12 71 1 51 50 1 1 1 1 l1 1t 1 S.SdaasnSs frsies dWcawa olssatrue 16 27 1 10 46 1 1 16t 27 1 7571 88 1 1 11 12229 22 1 3 1001 1 111t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1t 13 413t swzkBe s rvessis aspenhibersus 37 29 6 14 59 3 12 19 t 51 4I 11 1t 14 30 20 523 100 611 15 13 33 1t 1 5 12 3 1t BwMS. aria olvaceus 6t 14 1 211954 53 12 143833 1 1 12100 1542 1 111t 1 21001758 1 0371 1 12 100 1627 1 3100t036 1 1 11 1t 2 61 4 lprlpdtuSON ftwia summ 41003 100 111 1t 1t 1 21015 71 1 1 12 29 1 tf 1t 1t 11 t1 11 36 12 1 1 3 1t 1 14 N S. IndusM O O 3 22 10 78 " 9 24 t11 3 76 , 1 0 100 am 33 50 74 1 , o . a . M M M M M M M M M M M O N E N S a m AQMIX 2 cont. UNIT a Bd. b a Tp. I b a Bk. b Bd. Tp. II b Bk. b a Bd. a Tp.111 Bk. Ch. Ch. Ch.I II III St. St. St. I 11 III SPECIES 1 10 21 s b 1a 1 a b b s b a1 a a 1a a 1a S.Stachys palustris sylvatica 16 57 1 64 4337 18 53 1 12 7536 4425 36 37 64 1 1 25 45 8 20 12 3 1922 7 1830 73 33 1 15 20 1 1 1 10 1 1 S.Stellaria graoinea holostea 61 18 1 19 11100 64 1 61 1 517 64 15 1 1 79 1 1 61 31008 50 13 1 10 15 31 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 SuccisaS. prateosis palustrisnedia 19 1 16 1 1 1 1 to 1 5 42 2714 1 1 49 72 58 1310 22 1 1 26 1256 1 14 1 62 1 7122 1 1 51 31 1 1 1 SymphytusSymowicarpos officinale albus 21 1 83 1 39 36 1 16 49 46 13 it 1 3933 35 5 71 19 16l4 1 27 29 5l13 35 1 7ll5 1 16 l2 1 18 16 1 1 1 1 51 1 1 1 SyringeTanecetue vulgris vulgre 1 t00 18 1 1 1 1 1 29 100 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 Ta:usTrmam baccata spp. 26 6 100 68 48 1 1 49 24 1 1 58 34 1 1 59 35 1 1 53 31 1 1 38 33 1 1 44 1 38 11 33 29 1 1 1 1 1 32 58 1 1 15 1 L,t0000 TiliaTorilis egg. japonica 1 100 1 1 1 1 1 1 19 49 14 10 1 16 1 41 1 20 40 13 100 1 12 1 24 1 18 1 36 1 1 1 1" 1' 1 1 1 13 1 1 T.TragapogmTrifolius pratensisdubius 22 1 13 1 79 1 47 1 67 1 40 1 19 3 100 34 23 4l 14 25 3 10 26 90 41 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 41 T. repenspretense 22 1 14 1 76 1 47 64 39 5170 28 27 95 4737 5388 2635 4149 23 22 7980 43 6477 36 35 1 15 15 3 1 16 6 1 TriglochinTrisetuo flavescenspalustris 1 1 1 34 1 13 66 1 26 40 15 29 1 23 35 1 1 1612 1 2571 1 1 1 16 100 1 15 I00 1 1 17 18 1 1 1 TyphaTritoniaTussilago latifolia crocusaifIara frfra 31 16 24 50 1 1 2221 100 44 17 39 1 19 50 1 72 100 11 153 10036 1 16 43 1 3 100 21 39 37 561 1 1 31 16 1 17 UlrusUlm eurapaeus am. 5125 l982 5035 18 46 3 9 51 31 35 94 35 1454 8B 18 3 1 17 1 12 2 1218 46 55 8 100 4115 1 2116 1 25 29 1 1 1 1 51 1 1 61 1 1 ValeriansUtricalarisUrtics dioica officinelisspp. 81 10 1 46 1730 1 19 1 61 1 7l 1 3966 3047 1 1 32 1 1 91-67 1 36 69 1 2379 40 1 19 1 61 51. 1 92 7776 39 1 61 14 59 15 46 3 l4 21. 2916 1 26 41 M M M M M M M M M M vwMicaVerbamm snagallis-aquatics thapsus 1 1 1 1 13 t00 1 1 1 1 1 M M M M1 M M M M1 M M 1 1 1 1 1 31 100 1 1 1 51 1 1 1 A ON11 2 cost. I MIT a BL b a Tp. I b a Ik. b a M. b a Tp. 11 b a ik. b a IL b a Tp.III b a a. b Ch. Ch. Cb.a1 Il a 111 a St. St. St.aI Il a 111 a V.Yf1Yvaiia B beaabinga catenata 31001 1 1410 1 1 1 21007 X 1 1 2 221 1 1 1 i1 1t 1 1 t1 1 81 1 1 1 V. hohrifolisdia w*p l4 54 f t 10 37 1 1 3f1 19 60 33 1 1 59 34 4100 53 3l 1 1 77 38 t1 1 60 27 61 25 1 72 35 3100 1 1t 1 t1 31 1 V. wAellatspersicarontana t81001 10 10 70t t3 20 1 2255 501 1 145 50 12t 25 1 13 548 291 t l2 1 43 1 19285 21 1 1 1 3t1 1ft 1 14 Vl:.VibiriweV. epulus semIlifolia 24 22 4 100I tl 26 24 1 1l 60 54 t1 1 70 367 541 1 32 4 31t 16 t 2 151 t 7220 3964 8 32 29 39 36 15l0 89 2632 t1 1 t1 11 31 411 VlecaV. view sspiueWive xa 33 32 1t 1 33 32 1 1 39 36t1 1 66 472 502 100 23 1 12 1 779 48412 501 1 72 423 50 1 23 11 13 1 V 7746 453 501 1 1t 12 4711 13 12 311 1 ViolaWidwilia spp. palustris 17 75 1 1 4 19t l 1 16 35 94 t t 14 Il 1t 12 51 72 53ti f 21 t l6 1 41 1 31 1 41 t1 1 11 t1 1 Algae 1 1 I f t 1 1 1 i t t t 1 1' t 1 1t 1 33 9 3 1 1 1 FwtiealisGsr*Yta1 deaetas aatiWetica species not fpuod 11t 1 1t 11 tf 1t 1t 1 1f 1 1I 1t 111 1 t I t 1 1 1943 71 51 1 1 1 a 11 recorded by Cean 8reee in 1%9 Ipers. cose.l 0 a a 0 a a A a a 1

APPENDIX IL 1

Plants of the Boundary Zone of the Royal Canal.. UnitI 1

tm sections 111111111122222222223333333333444444444455555555556666666666777 123456789012345678901234567890123156?89012345678901234567890123456789012

Acer pseudoplatanus z IIII Y IIIIII I I II I I II Ii II IIII IIIIiIIIII I I III Willem millefolium I IiII I IIIIIII I I Aegopodiun podalraria I II I II i I I I Aesculus bippocastanum I iIII I z Afrostis stolonifera II I I 11 IIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIiiI III Alisms plantalo aquatics II II Alaus `lutinoss IIIIil z II An/elics sllvestris TI i III II I i z 1 Antiorantbum odoratum II I Antiriscus sllvestris I I I I I II III I Apium nodiflorum il. I 1 Arctium minus II Arrienatierum elatius II I II II I II Ilit I ti z Arum maculatum i1 I Betala sp. II I I IIII I 1 Betala pubescens i 9racilpodium sllvaticum II I z II IIII IIIIIII I IIII II I Brisa media I I II I II 1 Bromus erectus I IIII III IIIII I

B. ramosus III III I I Callstelis sepium I IS III I I I 1 Cipsella-bursa-pastoris I II I Cardamine fleiuosa I C. pratensis I Cirduus acantboides I 1 Carer acutiformis II I I C. flacca I I I Iti z C. iirta I I 1 C. panices II C. paniculata C. remota II III C. sllvatica II I I III 1 Castimea tativs I Centamrea milra I i1 II IIII zzzuzII iII Cerastium foatanum Ii z I 1 C. (lomeratum I Ciamaeclparis lavsoniaaa I II I I II Cirsium arvease i1 II I I III I I I II II I 1 C. vvl(are I IIi z I I I 1I II I Clematis vitAIbA I I Corllms avellaas III I II IIIIII I Cotoaeaster sp. I 1 Crataetas monoglma IIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIII IIIIIII III Crepis capillaris I Claoturum cristatut I I ii III i 1 Dactllis 110merata I z IIII III I IIIII IIIIIIIIII I III Damcros carsta IIII i I Desciamptis caespitota U I IIIII 1 ss5 1 a

1 0 1PPIU1I3acostd. - loularq Zone N

1 1111111111222222222t33t3333t33404444444413SSSSSSSSitiiiiiiii111 tm sections 1234Si1il01234Sif1l01234SiTil01234Si1il01234SiTil01234Si1il01234SiT!lO12 M 1 Oryoptoris felir-ggs z z z z u z 1 Z ZHU Illmms repels u z zz zzz uZ u Im u lpilobinm u/mstitolin z s f. 1 bIratu zu - 1 zz zzuz z Uzu . soatusm u z 0 !. purinermm z z z IgmiseEsm arremse ZZz z z z u ZIItzZ u . llmristile z f. p iastre beapu euopens z z z zz lmpaterism ausbissm z z Impberbis pepigs 0 z hpbrssia In. z Eggs sylvatia zuzzl z1 1 III zzzu zzzz uz uu z F. pmrpmres z 0 hstsa srudisscos zzzz F. prstessis Zzu z z I 1. Mrs zzzzzuul zz z z izulau UUMMUMMMU Zuu u M Illipesdnls mlmsris zu uII z hmpria visa umu z IIzzuz z z M fruisu eulsior UZZUZulMMUZZEM II LM zuz uz Win mparige z u z z zu z I. rern uz uz zzM 0 hruiu pyremsicu Z e. robertissu z uu zu z u ummu zuuuzlm u MM. z z gem mrbumm z z z runt ZZM zu u z z eiYuris naitus u zz 0 e. suing z u z z zlu M zz z feelers belir tllllulrzluIII uIltuuz I1n1II zu formalism spbogdyliu 0 z zuz u zMUMUII z hicros Iustms z zz uz luz zu z r pericsm prforstu z z Imcboeris rmdiatm t M tier awfollu Zuuff z Uzz1 u zzzz IZ zu Iris psemdmaeru tutu zz 0 Jucros utiaslmtu z J. eflua uIIu zU I. imtlerms u u 0 I. smbsodmlosu I Immmtim uremsis z z z I "mug comimelf Iz z z Z M Lmtbyru pratemsis z II zII zz z 1 1 I Lmmu minor Zu z I LenWon bispidu x uzZI z u z if Lemeutbolu rmllue I I Z Llpmtm ra!/srm MM u z z IIZfuz u Um atbutiou II z Leliu presme u z Where minds 1 z zz z Z L. pplmlymemsm z zu Z IM z z z L. rylosteu r i Was cormialstes I z z 1IIZZ Lytbru salicuis 0 1 0 a APPBYDII 3a contd. Bouadary Zone.

11111111112222222222333333333344444444445555555SS56566665665111 k sections (2345518901Z34661b901231551b90123456189012345618901234561b901234S61bl01Z

!!alas sp. II Mstricaris matricarioides I I lledicalo lupulinm I i z aentsa aquatics I I I aenvantbes trifcl:ata I Yolinia caerulea I 1 I Yasturtium officinale I I ; i1 I I Odontites verna I I Oeaamtie sp. I I 1 Orilaaum vullare I Oralis scetosella I I Pbalaris arundinaces I II I II II I I IIII III Pbleum pratense I I fi zI IIII I Ilti 1 Plyllitis scolopendrium II I i zi z III I IIIII II I Pices sp. II Pimpimella sarifrals II III II II I Pious sylvestris III i z I I i i t Plamtalo lanceolata IIi II II IiIIIIIlI I II P. major I Poa anaua III II IIIii P. pratensis z I IIII P. trivialis I Polylonum persicaria I 1 Populus sp. II II II I I I Potentilla amserina I I I I IIIIII I II I z I II II I III 11 iI P. reptans Ii z it 1 p. sterilis III IIII I Primuls vullaris I ti IiIII I Prumella vulpris I I I Prongs spimosa I ti IIi z I II I I III I IiIIIIIII I i it z I 1 Prumus sp. I I I I I I II Pteridium aquilinum I 11 IIiI I I Quercus all. IIIIi III I I I III III I I 1 IaOUmculus acris I II I I I. repens III I i IIiIi III II I I III I i Ieseda luteola z I I minor I Iibes i z Iosa ca0ima IIII IIIIIIIIII HIM II IilIIIIIIIiIIIiIII IIIIIII I III IIII IU

2. pimpinellifolia I I IIII I Iubis fruticosus all. IIIiIIIiliItll IIIIIIII II IIiItItIIIIiillltlitlillzzzzmzzzzu A III Iumer conllomeratus I

I. crispas

I. iydrolapatbum I I. obtusifolius I

I. samluiaeus I I I a 9alir Alba I I IIII I 9 capres I II 9. cimerea tubep. oleifolia I I I I II IiI 1 9. fralilis it u z III U I 9. parpurea I I i 9. vimiaalim II I 1 a 1

1 1

APPBNDII3acoatd. Boudary Zoos.

1 I l l I I I l l ltttt2ltttZ333333333344444444445555555555iiii6iiiii111 h sections 12345i1sl012345i1tlOIt345i1BlOlt345i1tlO1Z345i11lO1i345i1flO1Z345i1Blllt Subsets miter lu tl IIIIIIluulIuuluuu Iluu uI rl= tillu Smmtmisorh misor l II Smmicals esropaes tlII i l 1 Semeeio jaooks t t tIII t 8. ml9uis t Silome albs t 1 Simapaim urasia t Solsau Mouaro t u t SomelmS arnmis 1. "per I f 8. olerscell z Seriu aacapuis SpuSause etsrsu t 1 1. ereetu Staclys palutris t S. S.Flntics t z Stelluia media I 1 I I t satin pratessil Ilt toll II u u Spmploricams, slbss t lzllil u t t u I S7rfmis nlfuim t 1 z u It z !lest knits I u tltlItl u t z I rilia its. I rritollimm protesre 1 II II III Iuuli II r. repem: n II III IIIIIII u flmmilajo tubs t t i via implies 1 I I ut Itu utu z Ulmu an. u Ilt zIII I u II Omits dioica u t I uu z t z u z t u Iuul!IIIIIullutuu z ralerius ottieiemlis . IIt It z 1 veruica bsoostuje I II F. csteuts t V. urn I t ul uIlz F. momtus I u u z i v. persics z viberew opel" tI t viola crates z I uz u z t z tuI III F. sepiu z I I II t uuuIll lutullt Viols sp. u Run I u t 1 i 1 1 M K M M M M M M M M M M M M a Species found in each section along the Boundary Zone of Units II and III of the Royal Canal. APPENDIX 3b UNIT DDDDDDDDDDDDD1234567890123 1111 77777777888888888899999999990002345678901234567890123456789012 II 111 345678901234567890123456789012300000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 III i_i111-TI.i_12345678 AesculusAevopodiumAchilleaAcer pseudoplatanus hippocastanummillefolium podagraria XXXXXX XX XX XX XX X XXXX X XXX XXXX XX X XXXX XXXX XXX XX X XX X X XXX XXX XX X X XXXXXXX X X X XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XX X X X X X AjugaA.AgrostisAgrimonia reptans capillaris eupatoria stolonifera XXXXXXX XXX XX XXXX X X X XXXX XX XXX XXX X X XXXXX X XXX XX XXXXXXX X XXX X X X X XXX XX X X X XXX XX AlnusAlliumAlliariaAlisma glutinosavinealeplantago-aguatica petiolata XXX XX X XXX X X X XX XX X X X XX XX X X X AnagallisAnacamptisAngelicaAndromeda tenella sylvestris pyramidalispolifolia X X XX XX X X XXXXXXX XX XX XXXX XX XXXXX X X X X X X X X AnthyllisAnthriscusAnthoxanthumAntennaria vul6eraria sylvestrisdioica odoratum XXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXX X X XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX X X XX X XX X.XXXXXXXX X XX X XXXX X XXXXX XX X X ArrhenatherumArmoraciaArctiumApium nodiflorum minus rusticana elatius XXXXX X X XXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXXX X X X XXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XX XX X XXXX X XX XX X XXXXX XXXXXX XXX A.AspleniumArumArtemisia maculatum ruta-murariavulgaris trichomanes XXX X X XXX X XX X XX XXXX X XXXXXXXXX XX X X min APPENDIX 3b cont. AvenulaUNIT pubescens DDDDDDDDDDDDD1234567890123 1111 77777777888888888699999999990002345678901234567890123456789012 II 111 345678901234567890123456789012300000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 III 12345678i.i.i jj-T.i.t. BrachypodiumBetulaBellisBaldellia app.perennis ranunculoides pinnatum XXX X X XXXXX X XXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXX X XXXXXX XXXXX XXXX X X XX X XXX X XXXXXXX XX X X XXXXX X X X X XX BromusBriziaBrassicaB. erectusmedia rapa sylvaticum X X X X X XXXX XX XXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX X X X X X XXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XX X X XX X XX CallitricheBuddlejaB. davidii app. ramosushordeaceus X XXX X X X X X X X X X X H0 CapsellaC.CalystegiaCalthaCalluna palustris vulgarisbursa-pastoris sepium silvatica XXXXXXXX XX XXXX XX X XX X X XX XXX xx X XX XXX xx XXXXX XXXXXX XXX - XXX CarexC.Cardamine acuta flexuosa pratensishirsuta X XXX X X X X X X X XX X C.C. distichadiandracaryophylleaacutiformis X X X X X X X C.C. flaccaelataechinata X X XXXXXXXX X X X XX X X X X XXX X XXXXX X X w C. nigrahirtalepidocarpa f o w X XX X r X X XXX X X XXXXXXX r O r X - X XXXXXX X X M O N S O O NXXXXXXXX XXX X ME M E M O M M R M E N M M M M M M M E M O 0 APPENDIX 3b cont. UNIT I DDDDDDDDDDDDD 1111 7777777788888888889999999999000 II 111 00000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 - III i.i.i.i.i_1.1_i. C. remotapulicarispanicea 1234567890123 XXX 2345678901234567890123456789012XXX X X X X X XXX 3456789012345678901234567890123 XXX X X XXX X XXXXXXX XXXX X XX12345678 X CentauriumCentaureaC. nigraerythraea sylvaticarostrata XX X XX XXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX X XXXXXXXXXXXX X X X XXXXX X XXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXX XX X X X XX XXX XXX XXX CeterachCeratophyllumC.Cerastium officinarumfontanum demereum glomeratum X X X X X X XX X XX X XXX CirsiumChenopodiumChamomillsChamascyparis arvense suaveolens album laasoniana XXXXXXXX XX X X XX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX X X XXX X XXXX XXXXXXXXXX X X X XX X XX XXX X X X X X XX CorylusConvolvolusC. avellana arvensis palustrevulgare xx XXX X XX XXX XXX XXX XX X XXX X X XX X X XX X XX XX X X X XX XXX X XX XXXXXXXXXX X X XX X XXXX X XXXXX X X C.CotoneasterCrepisCrataegus biennia monogynyapp. capiltaris XXXX XXXXXX XX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX X XXX XX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX DactylorhizaDactylisCynosurusCymbalariaC. glowratacristatus uralis fuchsii vesicaria XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXX X XX XX XX XX X X XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXX XX XXXX X DeschampsiaDaucusDanthoniaD. carota decumbens caespitosa maculata X XXX XXXXXXXX X X X X XXXXX X XXXXX XX XX X XX X X XX X XXXX X XX X X X XXX XXX X X X APPENDIX 3b cont. UNIT DDDDDDDDDDDDD1234567890123 1111 23456789012345678901234567890127777777788888688689999999999000 II 34567890123456789012345678901230000000111111111122222222223333 III 12345678I.TillIT ElsocharisEchiumDryopterisDrosera vulgare rotundifolia palustrisfilix-ms X XXXX X X X XXXX X XX XX X XXX XX X XX X X X XXXX EpilobiumEmpetrumElymusElodea repens canadensis nigruman9ustifolium X X X XX X XX X XX X X X X X X XX XX XX E. montanumparviflorumpalustrehirsutum XXXXXXX X XXX X X XX XXX X X X X XXXXX X X XX X XXXX X XXXXXXX X X X E.Equisetum arvense telmatsiapalustrefluviatile XXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX XXXXXX XX X X XXX XXXXXXXXXXX XX X XXXXXXXX XXXX X X XXXXX XXXX XX X XXXXX X XXXXX E.EriophorumErica tetralix angustifolium variegatum latifolium X X X XXXX X XX X XX EuphrasiaEupatoriumEuonymusE. suropasusapp. cannabinum vaginatum X XX XXXXX XXX XXX X X XX X X X X XXX X X X FestucaFa9usE.Euphorbia sylvatica arundinacea helioscopia peplus X XX X X X X X X X X X XX X XX FoeniculumFilipendulaF. vulgare ulmria r rubra N XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXX a XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XX X r XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X 0 0 0 X X XXXXXX X XXXX X X XXXXXXXX XXXXX No M E M O M O R N M O N E M M O M M E M O 0 APPENDIX 3b cont. DDDDDDDDDDDDD 1111 7777777788888888889999999999000 II 111 00000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 III i-T-T-tal-T-T. GaliumFuchsiaFraxinusFragraria aparine magellanica exelsiorvesca 1234567890123XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX X 2345678901234567890123456789012XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXX X XXXX XXXXX XXXX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX3456789012345678901234567890123 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX X X X X XXXX X XXXX XXXXXXXXXX12345678 X XX G.GeraniumG. dissectum verumuliginosumpalustre X X X XXXXXX X XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX X X X XX XXXXXX XX X XXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXX X X XXXXXXXX X XXX GlechomaGeumG. urbanum hederacea mollsrobertianum X X XXXX XXX XX XXX X XX XXXXXXXXXXX XX X X X XXX XX XXXX XXX XXXXX XX X XX X XXXXXX XXX XX X XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XX GymnadeniaG.GlyceriaHedera helixmaxima conopsea plicata XXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXX XXXX XX X XX X XXXXXXXXXX XXX XXXXX X X X X XXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXX X XXXX XXX XXX X XX X XXX X XX XX X HippurisH.HieraciumHeracleum vulgaris pilosellasphondylium app. XXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX X X X X X XX XXXXX XXXX XX X XXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX HydrocotyleHyacinthoidesHordeumHolcus lanatusmurinum wlgaris non-scriptus XXX XX XXX XX X XX XXX XXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX X XX , XXXXX X XXXXXXX XXXX XXXX X X XXXX H.H.Hypericum androsaemmo hircinumpulchrumpertoratum X X X X XX X X X X X X HypocharisH.IrisIlex pseudacorus aquitolium radicata tetrapterum X XX X X XXXXXX XX XX X X XXXXX X X X X XX XX XX XXXXX X X X .X XXX X XX XX X X XX XXXXX XX X XX X X X XXX XXX XX APPENDIX 3b cont. UNIT I DDDDDDDDDDDDD II J.Juncus acutiflorus articulatus 1234567890123 1111 23456789012345678901234567890127777777788888888869999999999000 XX X XX 111 345678901234567890123456789012300000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 X X X III 12345678r.1.t.Tal,r.r. J. effususbuconglomeratus l inflexusbasus XX XX XX X XX XX X XXXXXXXX X XXXXX XXXX X X XX LarixLapsanaKnautiaJ.Lamium app. communisarvensispuroureum subnodulosus XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX X XX X X X XX XX X X XXXX X XXXX XXXXXXXX X X X XX LemnaLathyrus minor pratensis XXXXXX X X XXX XXX XXXXX XXX XX X XXXXXX XX X X XXXXXXX XX . XX X -- L.Leontodon autumnalis trisulca hispidustaraxacoides XXXXX XXXXXX X XXXX X X X XX LinumLigustrumLeycesteriaLeucanthemum bienne vulgaris formosa vulgare X X X X XX X X XXXXXXXX XXXXX XX XX XXX XX XXXX X XXXX XXXX XX XX XXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX X XXX X XXX X X XXXXXXX X LoniceraLoliumListeraL. perenne ovatanitida catharticum XXX X XX X X X X X X XX XXX X X X XXX X X X X XX X X XX LuzulaLotusL. corniculatuscampestris periclymenum XX X X XXXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XX X X X XX XX XX X XXX XX X XXXXXXXXX X X XXXX X X XXXXXXXXXX XXXX X X X X X X XX XX X X NalusLythrumLysimachiaLychnis spp. salicariafloe-cuculi nemorum X X X X X X X XX X XX X XXX X X X w E UNIT M M O N APPENDIX 3b cont. 111 NedicagoNalva sylvestris lupulina S DDDDDDDDDDDDD1234567890123 X 1111 X 23456789012345678901234567890127777777788888888889999999999000 II 111 345678901234567890123456789012300000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 i.i_i12345678 t.i_i_i.i. NolineaNeeyanthesNenthaMelampyrum caeruleaaquatics trifoliate pratense XX X X X X XXXX XX X XXXX X X XXXXX X X X X X X X XX X X X MyriophylluaMyricaN.Nyosotis gale arvensis spp. scorpioides X XX X X X XXX X XX X OnonisOdontitesNasturtiumNorthecium repens vernaofficinaleossifragum X. X XX X XXXXXXXX XX X X XX X X X XX X XX PedicularisParnassiaPapaverOxalisOriganum acetosellaapp. vulgarepalustris palustris XX X X X PhragmitesPhleumPhalarisPetasitesP. pratenes arundinacea hybridusaustralis sylvatica XX XXX X XX X XXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX XX XXX X X XXXXXXXXX XX XX X XXXXX X X X X XXXX PinguiculaPimpinellaPiceaPhyllitis spp. scolopendriumsaxifragalusitanica X XX X XXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX X XXX XXX XXXXXX XXXX X X XXXXXXXX XXXXX X X XX X XX X X XXXXXXX X X X XX XX X P.Pinus radicata sylvestris vulgaris X W = M = = = M X X' X X X APPENDIX 3b cont. UNIT I DDDDDDDDDDDDD1234567890123 1111 23456789012345678901234567890127777777788888888889999999999000 II 111 345678901234567890123456789012300000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 III 12345678t_t_t_ttttt P.PoaPlantago annua lanceolata pratensis major XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXX X XX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX X X XX XX XXXXXX XXXXX X XXX XXXX XXX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XX X X XXXXXXXX X XX XX XX X X XX* X XXXX X XX X XX XX PolygonumP.Polygala serpyllifoliaamphibium trivialis vulgaris XXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X X XX X XXX XXXXX XX XX X X XXX XX X XXXXX X X PotamogetonPopulusP. spp. natans persicariaaviculare XX X X X XX X XX X X XX X X X XXX PotentillaP. anserina Polygonifolius X X XX XX XXX X X X X XXX XXX XXXX X X X X X _ P. sterilisreptanserectapalustris XXXX XX XX X X X XX X XXX XXX XXX X X X X XXX X X X X .X XXX X XI XX X X X XXX XXX PrunellaP`.Primula vulgarisveris vulgaris X XXX X X XXXXXX XX X X XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX X XX X X X X XXXX XX XXXXX X XXXX X X X X X , X XXXX XX PulicariaPteridiumP.Prunus avium dysentericaaquilinum spinosa XX X X XX XXX X X XXXXXXX X X X XX XXXXX XXXXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXX XXXXXX X X XX XXXXXX X XXXXXXXXX XX X X R.R.RanunculusQuercus robur acris bulbosusficaria x xxxxxxxxxx x xx X xxxxxx X X X x xxx x XXXX X x xxxxxxxxxx x xx x x xx xxx x xx x x x xx x X x xxxxx ResedaR. luteola repenslinguaflammula m XXXXXXXXXX X X s X XXXXXXXXXXX XX X XXXXX X XX X XXX X , XXX XX XXX XXX XXXXX X X X X 0 a XXXX XX r r APPEKDIX 3b cont. UN It DDDDDDDDDDDDD1234567890123 1111 23456789012345678901234567890127777777788888888889999999999000 II 111 345678901234567890123456789012300000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 III TI.r.t.r.t.r.r.12345678 RosaRibesRhynchosporaRhinanthus caning uva-crisps minoragg. albs XX X XXXX X XXXXXX X X X x X X X X X X XX R.RumexRubus acetosafruticosus hydrolapathumidaeus xxxxxxxxxXxx XX xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx XXXXXX x xxx xx xxxxxxxxxx X X x xx XXXXXXIxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXxxxxxxx XX x xxx XX x X xxxxxxxxx x X XXXXXXXXXX xxxxx SalixSaginaR.R. alba nodosa sanguineusobtusitolius XXXXXX xxx XXX x X X X XX X x x X X X x xx Xx XXX x V S. purpureaauritafragiliscinerea xx XX x X XXX X SambucusS. nigra app.viminalisrepens XXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXxxx xx X x x xx x xx XxxxxxxxXxx x XX X x x X x XXXx X X XX x ScirpusSchoenusSaniculaSanguisorba caespitosus nigricanseuropaea mihor x xx x x x X x XX x xxx X x x xx x X X x x XXX S.SenecioScrophulariaS. aquaticus nodosa erucifoliuslacustris xx x x x x X SileneSherardiaS. albs arvensis vulgarisjacobaea XXXXXX X X Xxx XXXXX XXXX X XXXXX X x XXXXX X xX XXX xx XX X m M = M M m M M M m m m M = mm M M M APPENDIX 3b cont. SinapsisUNIT arvensis 1234567890123DDDDDDDDDDDDD 1111 77777777888888888899999999990002345678901234567890123456789012 II 111 345678901234567890123456789012300000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 III i.t.r.il-Ta.t.12345678 S.SolanumSmyrniumSisymbrium dulcamara olusatrum officinale tubersum xxxx XXX xx xx x X X X xX . X SparganiumSorbusS.Sonchus aucuparia arvensis emersum oleraceusasper XX XXX X XX XX X XXXXX X X XX X XX X X X X X StellariaS.StachysS. palustris graminea sylvatica erectum X.X X X X X X X XXXXX X X XX X X X X X X XXXXXX X X S. mediaholosteapalustris X X X XX X g X X XX X X TanacetumSyringaSymphytumSymphoricarposSuccisa vulgarispratensisvulgare officinale albus XXXXX X X X X XXXXXX X X XXX XX XX X X X XX XXX XXXX X X XX X XX X XXXX X X X X; X X X TragopogonTorilisTiliaTaraxacum agg. japonica spp.,pratensis XXXX XXXXXXX X X XXXXXXX X X X XX XX X X X X X X X X X X X XX X X X XX XXXX XX X XX X X TriglochinT.Trifolium palustrisdubium repenspratense X X XXxxxx XXX XXX X X X xx XXXXX XXX X XX XX XXXXXXx XXXX X X XX XX XX X x XXX XX XXXXXXX XX X XX XX XXXXX x XXXX X X X X XX TritoniaTrisetum crocusmifloraflavescensM M O N S O O N X XX X XX XX X X X r M r X N A . APPENDIX 3b cont. TussilagoUNIT farfara DDDDDDDDDDDDD1234567890123 X X 1111 X 77777777888888888899999999990002345678901234567890123456789012 II 111 345678901234567890123456789012300000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 X III X 12345678i.i.l.i.i.T_i.i. UrticaUlmusUlexValeriana suropasusagg. dioica officinalis XXXXXXXXXXXX X XX X X XXX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXX XXX XXX X XXX X XXX XXX XXXXXXX XXXXX XX X XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX X X XXXX XX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXX X XX XXXXX X XX X V.Veronica beccabunga sontanachasaedryscatenata XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXX X X X XX X XXXX X XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX X XXXXX VicciaViburnumV. cracca opulus serpyllifoliapersica XXXX X XX XXXXXXXX XXXXX X X XX X XXXXXXXXXX X X XXXXX X XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX , XXX XX XXXXXX X X X XX X X XX XXX ViolaVincaV. rivinianaminor sepiumsativa XX XXXXXXXX XXX X XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX X X XXXX XXXX XX XXX XXXXXX X XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXX XX XXXXXXXXX XX XXXX XXXXX X 1 APPENDIX I.

Plants of the Towpath Zone of the RovalCum l.. Unit 1

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Latkyrus rstensis III IIII 1 II I i II 1 I 11 S:aFid'1S II III l 1 iII t1 t1 II I IIU tlt III fllfllltlIl Leucantiesus +nllare I II 11 t t 1 11 Li;ustrue Inl,sre fI 1 t Liaae catiarticue z I I I IIII Win perense II tiz t tlt itIUU II III!tU II I tl z t Losicers perldysenus t z I Lotus coraiculatrs fit II III t z U tI I It z III 1 Lycopus eoropaeus I 1 Lytirna sslicaris I II tt II I I I Xatricaris satricarioides i z l 7 I II I I IIIII Nedicago lupulins IIIz1f II 1 1t t II I It z !!nabs aquatics III 1 11 II t Ill Iz tltt t z I 1lenyanties trifoliate iI z t Moliaia caerales II II IyosoUS lazy z M. scorpioilei z ilartleciss tasturtiua officinale 1 I I Odoatites I!rAs III I I I I I I I II i t I t I t 1 II I I I I Cnoais repeal III II Milan& vsljare IIIIII I Ozalis acetosells ?&paver sp. I !U Parnassis palustris II Pedicalaris ,&lustris i Plalaris aruadiaaces IIIIIUI II ti Itz IIt t !Ui z I I Pileus pretense IIIIIIItI I IIIIIIIt z U II IIII U II III Itl U IIII Psrslsites aastralis II Piyllitis scolopendrius t Pispiaells sazifrala z t1 IIU tUIIII UIIIUtIttUI tUI PiAUs sylvestris I plantajo lanceolats z ItIUItIIIUI tlt U II III UU IIUIUtU II UII till P. major fzzzz tII IUI III t z I IU MUUIUUUItttUIUI Pos aanua IIItU II !!!!!till II litltlllllUUtiUIUItII Ittlllt U 1 P. pratessis II II U IUUIt IIt Iltilll It t I I P. trivislis II Itt z Poly/oaee upilbiee IIt II I I I tlt U t P. aricslare III t t t t t z II I P. persicsris U t Populus sP II z Potentills aaserias z it tII U tUItI IUU tllIltlt IIIIUI U 1 II l l z P. erects I Ut P. reptaes II IIIII i z IUIIII z t UU U tiltz I U t Prasella n1faris z IU t U U U t t I I 1 !U .III Ut Pruaas spieoss IIt tt z u t z Pteridine sgsilinss tt t IU Pelicaris dyseeterica It II t t z onerous agt I I t 1 leasscolss sons tU ttUUUI U UIU tI 1. _IIaunle I t. UAINS I t t. repels III t UtZZURz t IU z zI tt U I 11 U U z z 1 i0,'Z 1 APPINDII 4acentd. TanPatl 3ace.

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S. asper III III z I z z I I II

S. A eraceus II zz z II I f z I II U Stachys palustris T r II

S. sylvatica f z z StelIaria media I rr z IzzII I zz II 3. lrasinea f Succisa pra!ensis II II I I zz zz IzIIII I zfz II I Illrz Sympioricarpos albus r rararacus all. IIzllz II izzzzzzzzzz II zzrrzl Izzltz zzzz Irz z rzzf II "rifallius pratense Izzl zzzz z IzzzllzzzlIITI zzzzI izzrzzzz TIIzIzzzzzz II Ilzz IIII r. repeat TITT zzzz z zzzzzzzrzzzzzz rzzzz fzzzzzzr IIIZZrzff zz Izzf zzzz Trillocks palustris r russilajo farfarm zz III z II II I f z flit Uler europsems III f l I I I I IzI z Ulaus all. r z Jrticm dioica Izz z zz zzz rr zz Tlzzf z II I I I f Iffzzz zz 1 ti'alerimaa officimalis II tit II z zz z I Veronica chamaedrys II I I II z

V. Persia r z zrI Iz Vicia cracca zzzzzII I III zz z z z rI V. sepiu Tzzizz f IfIzzIzzz r z I I I zz Viola sp. I I I

203 1 APPENDIX 4b Stseias found in all sections of the Towpath Zone in UnitsII and III along the Royal Canal.

UNIT II III 111 111111111111111111111111111LLLLLLL 7888888888899999999000 000000111111111122222223333 9012345678923456789012 456789012345678904567890123 1234567 Achillea millefolium XXXXX XMDDmxx am xx x xxxxxxxX Agrimnia eupatoria XXXXXXXX XX X X X XX x xxx x x x x xxxxx Agrostis capiilaris x xx XXX X X X X XX XXXX X A. stolonifera x xx xxxxx x xx x x x xxx Alliaria petiolata x W Allium vineale x X A lass g 1 ut i nose XX Anecamptis pyramidalis a X X Anaallis arvensis X X I- X Angelica sylvestris X XX X Anthoxanthum odoratum -x a xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxXXX xx xxxxxxxxxxxx Anthriscus sylvestrit XXX XX X X X X X Arctium minus . X X xxx x I Arrhenatherum e1atius x XX 0 XXXXXXXXX Acv maculatum x x. XXXX XXXXX XX x Avenula pubescers xx XX XXX X x xx X xx x XXXX x xxx xxx Bellis perennis x XXX XX t xxxxxxxxxxx XXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXxxx)=XX X Betula spp. xx xx x Srachypodium sylvaticum x Brizia media XXXX X XX X X a 1 xxxxxx xxxxxxx XX xx XX x xx xx Brovus hordeacaeus xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx x X X X Caltbe palustris X Calystegia sepium X x x Cagsella bursa-pastoris X X x. XXX xx xx x x x Cardaoine flexuosa xx.X x x C. hirsuta x i C. 1 pratensis X X xx x Carex acute xx x X C. caryophyllea x x. X C. disticha X C. flacca xx. xxxxx x xxx, x x. C. hirta xxxxxxx x xx xx x x XXXXXxxMx x XX X Y.XX XxX C. nigra XX X X xxx x X XX 1 C. panicea x x xx x x xxx C. remota 0 C. rostrata xxx xx 1 C. sylva:ica x Centaurea nigra xx. XXX XX x x XXXXXXXXXXXXXxXxxxxx XX XXXXXX XXX XXX xxx Cerastium fontanum xxxx x XXXX xxxxxxxx xxxxx XXXX xxx x XX XXX)=XXX X C. glomeratum Xx x x x x 1 Chawmille suavev'sens x a XX XXX xxxx X X Chenopod ium a 1 boar X XX X Cire:um x.X x XXXX arvense xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx x xxx xxxxxx: xrxx x. xx C. palustre x 1 x x x XXXX x x x x C. vulgare xxxx xx. XXX X X XX Corylus avellana X X X X X' X Cotoneaster 1 spp. X a

204 0 m m 0 APPENDIX 4b cont. 1 111 111111111111111111111111111 LLLLLLL 0 7888888888899999999000 000000111111111122222223333 9012345678923456789012 456789012345678904567890123 1234567 1 Crataegus monogyny XXX XX X XXXX X XXXXXXX X X Crepis capillaris XX XXXXXX XX C. vesicaria X XX X X X Cynosurus cristatus XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX Dactylis glomerata XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXX Dactylorhiza fuchsii X X X XXX XXXXX XXX X XX Daucus carota X XXXXXXX X X X X X X X XXX X XX X X X Deschampsia caespitosa XX X X X X Elymus repens X X XX Epilobium hirsutum X E. montanum X X XXX XX XXXX XX XX X X XXX X X X . Equisetum arverse E. fluviatile X X 1 E. palustre X X XX Eriophorum angustifolium X E. vaginatum Euonymus europaeus XX t Euphorbia helioscopia X . Euphrasia spp. XX XX XX XX X XXX X XXXXXX X X Festuca arundinacea X XXX XX 1 XXXXXX F. rubra XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXX Filipendula ulmaria X X XX XXXX XX X Fragraria vesca X XX Fraxinus exelsior X X XX X XX Fumaria officinalis X X Galium aparine X XX X X X X., X XX XX . G. verum XXX XX XXXXX XX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Geranium lucidum XX G. molle XX X X XX X G. robertianum X 1 Geum urbanum X X X XX XX Glechoma hederacea X X XXX XX Gymnadenia conopsea X XXX Hedera helix X X X Heracleum sphondylium XX X X X XXX XXX XXXXXXXXX XXXX X X X Hieracium pilosella XX X Holcus lanatus X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX XX XXX X XXXXXX XXXXXXX X XX XXX HYpericum pulchrum X X H. tetrapterum XX X s Hypocharis radicata XXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXX XXXXXX Iris pseudacorus Juncus acutiflorus X X J. articulatus X J. effusus XX X 1 J. inflexus X XXXX X XXX XX X XX X X Ilnautia arvensis X XX X Lamium purpureum X 1 X Lapsana communis X X X X X X i Lathyrus pratensis X XX XX XXXXXX XX XX XXXXXXXX X XXXX Leontodon autumnalis XXXXX XX X X X X 1 L. hispidus XXXX X X X X X L. taraxacoides X X X X X 0 105 a

1 M APPENDIX 4b cont. 121 illlliiiililillllilliiiiill t_t_t a 7888888888899999999000 000000111111111122222223333 9012345678923456789012 4567890123456789045678901231234567 Leucanthemum vulgare XXX XX XXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXX X XXXX XX a Ligustrum vulgaris X X xx X Limo catharticum XX X X XX XX X X X Lister& ovata X M Lolium perenne xxxxxX XXXX XXX xxxxx XXXXX X X xxxxX X XXXX XX Leoicera periclymenum X X X X XXX Lotus corniculatus XXXXX xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx X X XXx xxxx cxxxx X XX X e Lmla caapestris XXXX X XX XXXX xx X X X XXXXXXXXX Lythrum salicaria X Medicago lupulina X X X X xx XXXXX XX xxxxxx XXXXXXX X X XX 0 11satha aquatica X X X X YAwanthes trifoliata X Xolinea caerulea xx X X 0 Wasotis arvensis X X K. discolor X Wrica gale X 0 Odontites verna xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx X Xx XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XX X XX Orchis mascula X XX Oxalis acetosella X M Papaver app. x Parnassia Palustris X Petasites hybridus XX X a Pbleum pratense X XXXX XX XX XX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXX XX XXXXXX Phragmites .austral it XX Pispinella saxifraga XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX X X XXXXXXXXXXXX XX . XX X PUntago lanceolata XX X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XX P. major XX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX XX XX X XXX X XXX Poa annua XXX X XXxxxxxxxXXX XXX XXX X XX XXXX X X X XX XXX X P. pratensis X XXXXX X XXX XX XX X XXX XX XX x XX X XXXX XXXXXXX 1 P. trivialis xx Xx xxxx x XXX xxxx x xxx xxxxx x xx xxx xxxx Polygala serpyllifolia XX 0 P. vulgaris X. x x X 1 Polygonum amphibium X X XXX XX X XXX X P. aviculare XX X XX X a P. Persicaria XXXX XXX Potentilla anserina 1 XXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxXXXX XXXX XXXXXxxxxx XXX XXX Xxxxxx P. erecta xx X XX a P. reptans X XX X X X X XX X X.X X P. sterilis X 1 Primula veris XXX X X XXXXX XX XXX XX X XXXXXXXX X X XXX M P. vulgaris X X X X X X Prunella vulgaris X XX XXXXXXXX XXX XX XXXX xxxxxxxxxxxx XXX xxxxxxx Prunus spinosa x X X XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXX)O= M Pteridium aguilinum X XX X X xxxxxxx XX xxxxxx X Ranunculus acris xx x x xxxxxxx XXXX XXXX XXXXXX XXXXX X X X R. bulbosus xxxxxxx XXXxxXxX xxxxxX XX xx xxx XX X 0- R. flammula X R. repers xxxx X xxx XX xxx xxxxx XX X X XXXX XXX X X Reseda luteola X f Rhinanthus minor XXX X X X XX XXX XX XX X XXXXX - Rosa canina agg. X X XXXX Bubcs; fruticosus XXX X xxx XXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXX 0 1 XX X

0. 1 206 a a 1

1 APPENDIX 4b cont.

111 111111111111111111111111111LLLLLLL 7888888888899999999000 000000111111111122222223333 9012345678923456789012456789012345678904567890123 1234567 XX X Rumex acetosa , X X X XX R. obtusifolius X XXX XXX X X X R. sanguineus X Sagina nodosa X S. repens Salix spp. Sambucus nigra X X X Sanguisorba minor XX X XX X Sanicula europaea XX Schoenus nigricans X X X Senecio aquaticus XXXXXXX X XXX X X XXXXX X S. jacobaea X X X X XX S. vulgaris X Sherardia arvensis Silybum marianum X X Sinapsis arvensis X X Sisymbrium officinale X XX Sonchus arvensis X X XX 1 S. asper X XXX S. oleraceus X Stachys palustris X X X X X 1 S. sylvatica Stellaria graminea X X X XX X X XXX X' S. media X XXX X X XX X X XXX Succisa pratensis X X Symphoricarpos albus X X X XX XX XXXXX , XX Taraxacum spp. XX XXXXXX XXXXX XXX Torilis japonica X X XXXX XX X X X Trifolium dubium X X XXX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XX T. pratense XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX T. repens XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X Trisetum flavescens XXX X X X X XX Tussilago farfara XX X X Ulex europaeus X XXX XX XXXXX X XXXXX XX Urtica dioica X XXXX X X X Valeriana officinalis XXX XXXXXX XXXX XXX X XX Veronica chamaedrys XXX XXX XX XXXXX X V. hederifolia X X V montana X X XX XX V. persica X X X V. serpyllifolia X Viburnum opulus X X X X XXX X X X X Viccia cracca X XXX XXX X X X XX XXX XX V. sepium X X X X X X XX XX Viola riviniana X

20 1 a

APPENI)IK -k

Plants of the Bank Verge or the a r Royal Canal. U nit j m 1111111111:::12:2443333333'.334444444444555SSS55SS666666666677T is section; 23456789812345678901:3456T89C1:34557890123456'9991t3456T8lt1:3156'89J12

Acer pseadoplats:78 t I I III I t z r Aciilles illefoliaa IU I F I t U I I I I IIII t t Um UUUU m Aelopodiaa podagraria rr Aesculus iippocastaaas z AMsoa:a eupstoris Irt t z U Alrostis stoloaifers I IU U Ur IIIIIIrtIIUII I IIUI?IIIJItIIIIIlIUllUtlill?IIIIUI Alisaa plaatsjo aquatics U a Alass glatiaoss t tl rItII I II I I Aaagallis t Aajelica sglrestris 0 I II I I trlrl UIt IrIIUUUUIItUlUI Ir Z=U Aatiozantian odoratu t t III U U tiriscas UI I t z Apices I m Arctic siaor t z 1 I I t Arrieaatiervs o1stivi tI I IU UII IIII ! Itill UIUItUtum U t r UUU Atripler sp. t z m follis pereanis htals IF. I 1lactstoaia per!:Iiata m Ariu aedis r z lr0aus erectas I IIU Cilyste/is sepias 0 U u IU IIIU r CapselIa-hrsa-pastoris It I u Carduiie prateasis z Carduas scu tioides I tt 0 Carer acatiforais t1 IIUI UIUIrU U t IIIIII tIr C. iisticis tt I r IUU Ir IUM IIt III U C. elate I C. flaccs I U 1 I I It r t z U II rllll C. iirts z z z III II IUUI t C. lepihearps t m z I I I C. mitts I I U I !UU IIt II lrrt t UiU 1 C. oitrsise ItrU C. psatoes I a IIUU UrI U UU I IUU C. restrats UIIIIUIr z UUm UUUzuzzz. lUU Itt Cue: _op. t UUI t 1 III UI IUIU m Cateues lilts II IUU UI I IrlrizltUU UIU zm UU UU t UIUUII Cersstiss foatuss I I t z tUr Wain z z z trl U U r z t r U U r 1 C. s palustre r U I r tUt C. nl/are !U IIII it zU U cI U U U r z IUU 1 Cerylas srellus U U m Crstuas maogaa m U U IIImtr tt m "is cspillsris t t z It 1 Cpsonns cristatos t tUmUtttl hottlis glesersts tmmtl m IrmUt irunrumm ittt U h u cuota UUUUUUUUtuU It U UU UU t--- t t Ur 1 hscisspsis cuspi toss IU t z t U a 1 208 m 1

t APPBNDII 5a contd. Hank Verge ZOne.

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313aus rerens i z

1. irsunl zlllzzzzz 1 z z z II I zzzz I II B. aontanua l 1 3. palustre z z

3. parvif"Orus z z z I zz z zz z z 3quisetua arvense zzzz zz I zzzzzzzt zz z zz z z z zUz 8. !"'uViatlle z z z I Izz 1 B. 73rieiltea I zzz Bapatoriua cannabinus zlz zz llzzzlz z II 3upbrisis all. z zz 1 Fat7S sylvatica z z Pestuca arundinacea z IIzz z tt F. pratensis z z z z z

F. rubr3 lz zzzzz Izz ltzzzzzzzzzzz z I Izzzzzzzzzzzllzttzzzzz z UI tzzz 1 Filinendula ulwla lzzzzlllz zzIzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz IzIzzzzzzzzzzzmzzzz IUIUz Frarinus erelsior TYR lllz I z z zzzzz z Izzzzz Ix zzz z z Uzz UU ?ali:a aparine l l z lz zzztt U I

0. plustre z z zzzzzzzz Izzz zlzzzz x UIz IU ;. %emm I Izzz z zz z I z z z zzz z zz z II z IIItz :eraniua z f. rober'iam,12 z z z z V per s 2iriaa Izz l zzz zz zzzz Iztllzztzzzzllz r Izzzzzzzzzz z z U zzz °eracleua sp5ond1liea z z z Uzz z I I Izz Izz zz z z Holm lanatus II Izz Itlzzz z z1 I Izz zzzI 11z zUzUIz 1 l7drocetyle vultaris I 9yreric.a perforatua z 9. tetrapterua z I zz z I z II I zzzzz zz z z 1 Iris pseudacurus zzzz Izz IzzIzz zzzzzzzzztz Izzzzzzzzzt zzzIzlzzzzzzz II zU zz Juncus acutifloris I I I II J. articulates zz I z zzz zz zzz I zzz zz 1 1. effusu3 zzI I zztzzzzzzzzzz II zzz

J. inflerus z Izzzz zzzzzz II Izzzz zzllzzlzzzztz IzlzIzzzzzzzzz Izzz zztz z 1. suboodulosus z II z z z z Inautia arvensis z II 1 Lasium albus I

L. purpureua z Lapsaaa coasunis z zz Latbyrus prstensis zz z Izz t IItU Izz zz zzz z z z z I zz Leontodon bispidus I I z zz z I lz z t l1 Leucantbesua vultare z z z1 Litustru vultare zz I I z zz zzzz Linua catbarticus zz r oliumperenne It z zz zz zIU z z Lonicera nitida z t 1 L. periclyneaus z z

L. rylostrus z Lotus corniculatus zz I t z tzIIt 1 Lytbrus salicaria z Izz U zz Izz 1latricaria astricarioides t z t lledic&lo lupulina rI zz z zz z z z 1lentka aquatics I z z Izzz t zz Izz Uzz z z zz zz z z IU zU U

209 1 IPPIND1I5acestd. Bank Vert# Zone. 1 I1]11I11112tt22t12tl193373Jt3311#/4iliii33SS333SSSiiiiiiiiiilff IN uct:oss '231Sifd901tllSifdlA:2liSifdlOlt9lSi'l401t3dSifdlAlt3iSifdlOllJliifdlOlt besywtbes triNhu 11 IxI TII Z IT hlisis caerales I Ijosotis lus ItIIl II N. scorpio:des 1 I It llsstartlu ollicinale I Odostites Feral z I III I I I I I OMIs ripens II I II II Oripau Follsre VIII II PdpaFer sp. Pedicalsris palastris Plsluis ardddisacea I II III uI I t l u I u l l ll u l l l u I t t u I t t u 13MI Pileu protease I !tu II I IIl! It u III zuM I I uz ull Plrspites sastralis III Pl,Fllitis scolopendriss Pispisells urilrap I t z III u ut Plaetato luceolsts I I IIItu II I II Itilt z Iuullull I u z VIII P. major lIII t III II Pos uaaa I I II uttl to uuzz z III F.pratessis I II I I P01710su asplibiaa IIII III IIII uuuu III uultIIIIUIIIIUIII I P. aricalare I I II P persicaris Pepolas sp. I Potestilla saseriss M ! u 1 I u uI ut lu uulu uuu UM=1 P. erects I 11 u P. reptus IIII u ututuu in Ilu uuuluuuu l l zu Prlaella nl/iris u t t I I 111 Prlaas spisesa I I t t I I ttIlu I I I II I Frlaas sp. t Pteridima slailisom t I Palicaris dpsenterics u t Qaercas au. I I I Iasascalu scrim z uI IIIUlIIU t !. llsaaala u1 I If u z I I lisps I ullulu I. top" III Iuluutuu uuttluu uu1u1 u 1 11111 I uz scelerstu t 1 Rims Ideal& 1 t u 11 tlldsstlas minor 11 I olio Ieu claims t tt tI I ul III t.pispisellilolis I 1 hbas lraticenm us. uzuI I IIlluutuumu II I I II how coatlourstu u It t. crimpas I 0 1 R obtesiloliss z uIIuI 1I1 II Iayima sodesa I Islir sibs 1 I. claim sabsp. oleilflis u IIH I I I. lraji?is II u I 1 I. pupara 1 Iluu u 1 u !ut z tI I. Fisisslis I t I

1 210 M 1 0 0 APPBMDIt 5a contd. Bank Yerje 4'one. 1 M kr sections

Sali: sp. 0 Sambucus aiger I I I Sanguisorba minor I t II Scrophularis nodosa t 0 Senecio jacobea t z z z zz z t S. vulgaris t z M anus dulcamara z z z 1 M Somchus arvemsis z S. asper z z z S. oleraceus z t z t M Sparjaniam erectum z z z z z 1 Stachys palustris z z Stellaria media I z M Succisa pratensis z z z z z 1 Symphoricarpos albus z Tararacum all. z z t I z zz zz 0 Trifollium pratense z zzzzzz zz z z z T. repens t zzzzzz z I I zz Trillochis palustris zz M Tussilato farfars zz z z z z z t Typha latifolia z z z zzzz z z z zz zz zz Uler europseus z 0 Ulmus all. z z Urticm dioica z z zz zzz z z z z z 1 Valerians officinslis z z t z zz z z z 0 Verbaseva thapsus z z Veronica chaaaedrys z z V. persica z 1 0 Vicia cracca z z z zz I I z V. sepium zzz z z z z I Viola sp. I 1 M 1 M M 1 0 1

a 1 0 1 M .211 1 Species list for each section APPENDIX 5b UNIT DDDDDDDDDDDDD in the bank zone along Units II II and III of the Royal Canal. AgrfmoniaAchilleaAcer pseudoplatanus millefoliumeupatoria 1234567890123XX 2345678901 345678901234567 X XX XX X X XXXXXXX XX XXX 1111 7777777788088888869999999999000XXX X X XXXXX 9012 3456789012 X XX X 0000000111111111122222222223333XXXXXX X XXXXXX XX XX 67 XX XXX XX7 X 0123 12345678X X X X X X X AlismaAjugaA.Agrostis reptans plantago-aquatica capillaris stolonifera XXX XX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X X X XXX XXX X XX X XXX XXXX XXXXX XX X X XX X X XXX XXXXXXX XX X XXXXXX XX XX XXX XXXX X XXXX XXX _ AlAllium nus vineale -- .- - --- X - X_ XXXXXX - X AnthriscusAnthoxanthumAnacamptisAngelica sylvestrissylvestrispyramidalis odoratum 1ALtinosa- XYXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XX XX X XxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxXxxX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XX -X- - X - --X- XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX ----XXXX X X X XX XX-X-- T_Xx--xx -X-X X X XXXX XXXX X X X -- XXXX X X XXX -XXXXXXXXXXX XXX X ArrhenatherumArctiumApiumAnthyllis nodiflorum minus vulneraria elatius XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX X X XXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX X XXX X X X X X BellisAvenulaArumArtemisia maculatum perennis pubescens vulgaris XXX X XXX XXXXXXX X XXXXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX X X XXX X XXX XX XXXXXXXX XX X X X XXXX XX X X X X XXXX XX BrassicaBrachypodiumBerula app.erects raps sylvaticum X X X XXX XXXX XX X XXX XXXXXXXXXXX XX XX X X X X X X XX X m a n g o B.B.BromusBrizia erectusmedia ramosushordeaceus XXXXX XXX XX XX XXXX XX XXXXXXXXXX XX X X XX XX X XXXXX O X X XX M 0 M 0 M M M M DDDDDDDDDDDDD APPENDIX 5b cont. i.i.i.11_i.i.i. f 1234567890123 2345678901234567890123456789012 3456789012345678901234567890123 1111 7777777788888888889999999999000 0000000111111111122222222223333 111 1111 i 1 i 11 i 111111111111111111111 12345678 CalthaBuddlejaCalluna palustris davidiivulgaris X X X X X XX X X X X X X X C.CardamineCapsellaCalystegia bursa-pastorisflexuosa sepium pratensis X X XXXXXX XX X XXX X X XX XXXXXX X xx XXX XX XXx X X XXX X K KKKx x XXX XXX C.Carex acuta caryophylleaaquatilisacutiformis X X X X X XXX X XX XX XXXX XX X X C. distichademissaelata X X X XX XXXX X XXXX XX XXXXXX X XX XXXXXX XXX X XXXXX XX XXXXXXX XXXXXX XX X X XXX X XXXX X XX X XX X XX XX X XX tiW C. otrubaehirtaflaccalepidocarpa X XXX XX XXX X X X X X X XXXXXX X XXX X X XXX X X X XX X X XXX X C.C. remotapaniculatapaniceanigra X XXXX X XXXX X X XXXX XX X X X XXX X XXX XX X X X XX XXXXX X X X XX XXX XXXXXXX X X X XX X X CentaureaCarlinaC. vulgaris nigra sylvaticarostrata XXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXX X X X XXXX X XXXXXX X XXXXXX XX XX X XXX X XX X XX XX CerastiumChamomilleChamaecyparisC. fontanum suaveolens lawsoniana glomeratum X X X XXX X X X XXX XX X X C.CirsiumChenopodiumC. arvense album vulgarepalustre XXXX XX XX X XX X X X XXXX XXX X XXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX X XXXXX X X X X X XX X XXXXXXXXXXXX XX X XX XX X X XXX X X X X XX XXX X XX X X m m w m m m m m APPENDIX 5b cont. CoeloglossumCladium mariscus viridei DDDDDODDDDDDD1234567890123 2345678901234567890123456789012 1111 7777777788888888889999999999000 111 11111111111111 1111111 345678901234;1789012345670901230000000111111111122222222223333 1234 11111111 T111_t_t_t_t_ 678 CotoneasterCrataegusCorylusConvolvolus avellana monogynaapp. arvensis X XXX XXXXX X X XX X X XX X X X X XX X X X XXXXX CyclamenC.Crepis biennia hederfolium vesicariacapillaris X XXX X X XX X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXX XXX XXXXXX X X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXX -Dac Ya DactylorhizaCynosurusglooserata cristatus fuchaii XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXX X X XXXXXX X X XX -.XXXXX---Y,- X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX X X - - -XX--XXXXX XXXX)ggq(X XXXXXX DryopterisDaucusDeschampsiaD. carota filix-macaespitosa maculata XXX X XXXXX X XXXX X X XXXXX X XXX XXXX XX XX X XXXX X XX XXX XX XXX X XXX XXX XX XX X E.EpilobiumElymusEleocharis repens angustifoliumpalustris hirsutum XXX X XXX X XX X XX XX X X X XXXXXXXXX XX X XX X XX XXX E.Equisetum arvense montanumfluviatilepalustre XXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX X X X X X XX X XXXXXXXXXXX XXX XX XXXXX XXXXXXX XX XXXXX XXXXXXX X X X XXXXX EupatoriumE.E. cannabinum variegatumtelmateiapalustre XX XXXXX X X XX X XXX X XX XXXX X X X X XXX X X X XX X X XX XXX XX o FagusEuphrasia sylvatica app. o XXX XX X X X X X X X X X m APPENDIX 5b cont. Festuca arundinaceaI DDDDDDDDDDDDD1234567890123 2345678901234567890123456789012 3456789012345678901234567890123 12345678 1111 7777777788888888889999999999000 0000000111111111122222222223333 X XX XX XXXXXXXX 111 1111111111111111111111111111111 T.T.TIa-T.T.T.XXX X XXX XXXX XXXXX X XX X FragrariaFilipendulaF. vesca ulmaria rubrapratensis XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XX X X X XX XX G.GaliumFumariaFraxinus aparine officinalis exelsior palustre X XXXXXXXXXXX X XXXX XXXX X X XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXX X X XXX XX XXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXX XXXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXXXX XX XXX XXXXXXX X XX X X GlechomaGeumGeraniumG. urbanum hederacearobertianum verum XXX XXXXX XXXX XXX XXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X X X XXXXX XX X XXXXXXXXXXXXX XX X XXX X XXXXX XX X XXXXXX XXXXX XX XXX !, HeracleumHederaGymnadeniaGlyceria helix maxima sphondyliumconopsea XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX X XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX X XX X X XXX X XX X XX X X XXXX XX XX XXXX XX X XXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX X XXX XXXXX XX X XXX XXXXXXXXXX XX X X XX X X XXX X HordeumHolcusHippurisHieracium lanatus murinum vulgarispilosella X XXX XXX XX X X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXX H.HypericumHydrocotyle androsaemum vulgaris perforatumhircinum X XXX X X X X X HYpocharisH.IrisIlex pseudacorusaguifolium radicata tetrapterumpulchrum X XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX X XXX XXX X X XXXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XX X X XXX X XX X XXXXXXXX XX X XXXXX XX X X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX X XXX X XX X XXXXXX XX XX XX X J.Juncus articulatus subnodulosuseffususinflexus XXXXXXXXXX XX X X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XX X X XX XX XXXXX XXXXX XXX X XX XXXXXX X XXXXXX X X XXX XXXXX X X XXXXXXXX X X XX M = APPENDIX 5b cont. 1 DDDDDDDDDDDDD1234567890123 2345678901234567890123456789012 1111 7777777788888888889999999999000 111 1111111111111111111111111111111 r_r_r_ trr_r,0000000111111111122222222223333 LathyrusI+apsanpKnautiaLamium communis arvensispurpureumpratensis XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 3456789012345678901234567890123 12345670 L.LeontodonLeucenthemum autumnalis vulgare taraxacoideshispidus X XXX X XX X XXXXXXXX XXX X X XX X XX X' XXX XXXX XXX X -L. - - -LinumLigustrum bienne vulgaris -- XX X XX XX -XX X X XXXX XX X X X XXXXXX X XX _ XXX XXXXXX XXX X XXXXXX XXX X X H L.LoniceraListenLolium perenneovatanitida eatharbi cum periclymenum XXXXX XX X X XX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XX XX LysimachiaWcopusLychnisLuzulaLotus corniculatus campostriseuropasusfloe-cuculi nemorum X XX XXX XxxxxxxxXX xxxxxxxxxx XXX XXX XXX Xxxxxxxx xxX XXXX X X XXX X X XX X X XXX X XX XedicagoMalvaMalusLythrum app.sylvestris lupulina salicaria XX X X X X XX XXX XXX XX XXX X X XX XXX X X XX X MyoaotinMolinea!lenyanthesNentha aquatica caeruleaarvensis trifoliate XX XX X X X X XX XXla = X XX X XXXXX X XX x XX X XX lUgQ momXXXX X X X X XXXX X OdentitesNasturtiumMyricaM.0 gale vernaofficinale scorpioides a X X XXXXXXXXXXXX X X X XX X XXXXXXXXXX MX X XXXXX X XX a 0X X0 X M M M 0 I DDDDDDDDDDDDD APPENDIX 5b cont. 111 1111111111111111111111111111111 0000000111111111122222222223333 i.i.i.iJ.i.i.L. 0.Oenanthe crocata fistulosa 1234567890123XXXX 2345678901234567890123456789012 1111 7777777788888888889999999999000 X 3456789012345678901234567890123 12345678 X OrchisOnonisOxalisOriganum mascularepens acetosella vulgare X X X X XX XX X X X PetasitesPedicularisPapaverPhalaris spp. hybridusarundinacea palustris XXX XXXXXX XX XX XXXXXXXX X XX X X XX X X XX XXX XX X X X X X PhyllitisPhragmitesPhleumPimpinella pratense scolopendriumaustralis saxifraga XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XX XXX XXX X XX X XXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXX XX X XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXX XXXX XX XX XXXXXX XXX XXXX XX XX X X X N P.PoaPlantago annua lanceolata pratensis major XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX xxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXX X XXXXX XXX X XXXXX XXXXXX XXX XXXX XX XXXXX X XXXXXXXXXXXX X XX XX XXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXX XX XXX XX XX XX X X XX P.PolygonumP.Polygala serpyllifoliaamphibium trivialis vulgaris X X xxxxXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXX xX XXX X XX X XXX XXXXX XXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXX X XXXXXX X X PopulusPolypodiumP. spp. vulgare persicariaaviculare xxxx.XXXXX X X X X X X X X XXXXXX X XX X XXXXXXX PotentillaP. anserina reptanspalustriserecta X X X X XXXXX X XXXXXXX XXXXX X XXXX XX X X X X XX XXX XXXXX X X XXX XX XXX X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X XXX X X XX X XX XX X X XXX X XXXX P.P.Primula veris r vulgaris sterilis M X XX X XXXXXXX M M M MXX X XX X X X M M M MX XXXX XXXX X X x M M MXX X APPENDIX 5b cont. PrunusPrunella avium vulgaris DDDDDDDDDDDDD1234567890123 2345678901234567890123456789012 X 1111 7777777788888888889999999999000 X X X XX 111 1111111111111111111111111111111XX 34560000000111111111122222222223333 89012 XXX XXXXXXX 56789012 567890 3 12345678 i_t.i_ RanunculusPulicarisPteridiumP. dysentericaaquilinumacris spinosa XXXXXXXXXXX XX XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X X XXX XXX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXXXX XX X XX M XX X XXXXXXXXX X R.R. bulbosuslinguaflammulaficaria X XX XXXXXXXX X XX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX X XXXX X X X X X XXXX XX XXXX X X XXXXXX X X X X XXXXXX XX AhinanthusResedaR,--R. luteola minor - repenstrichophyllus -- . X XXXX X XXXXX X XXXXX XX X xxxxx XXXXXX XXXXXXX X%XXXX XXXXXX X X X X XX XX X Wao RumexR.RubusRosa caning acetosafruticosus agg. idaeus XX X XXXXXXXX X XX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X X X X X X X XXXXXX X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX XXXX X XXXX XXX XX X X XX XXX X X X R.R. sanguineusobtusifoliushydrolapathumconglomeratus X X XXXX X XXXX X X X XX X X X X X XX X X X X S.S.SalixSagina albs nodosa capreaaurita X X X X X X XX X XX XXX X X X S. purpureacinereafragilis X X XXX XXXXX X X X X XX XXXXX X X X XX X SambucusS.S. nigra app.viminalis IM XX X XXX XX X XXX X X XX XX XXXX X X X X XX XXX X X . X X X X X X X MXXX X X 0 0 0 0 M M M 0 M M M 0 M 0 M 0 M 0 0 M 0 M 0 APPENDIX 5b cont. Sanguisorba minor DDDDDDDDDDDDD1234567890123 2345678901234567890123456789012 3456789012345678901234567890123 1111 7777777788888888889999999999000 0000000111111111122222222223333 111 1111111111111111111111111111111 Tjj T-T-tjj 12345678 ScutellariaScrophulariaScirpusSchoenus lacustrisnigricans galericulatanodosa X X X X X X X XXX X S.Senecio aquaticus vulgariserucifolius)acobaea X XXXXXX X X X XX XXX X XXX X X X X XX XX X X XXXXX XX X XX XXX XXXXX XX X X X XX X XX XX X SmyrniumSisymbriumSinapsisSherardia olusatrumarvensis arvensisofficinale XXXX X X XX X X X X X HN S.SonchusSolanumSorbus arvensisdulcamaraaria asper X X X XX X XX X X XX X X X X X X X StachysSparganiumS. palustris erectum aucuparia X XX XX X X XXXX XX X XXXX Y. XXXXX X XXXX XXX XXX XX X X S.Stellaria graminea sylvatica palustrismedia X X XX X X XXX X XXX X XX X TaraxacumSymphoricarposSuccisaSymphytum pratensis spp. officinale albus XXXX XXXXXXX X XXXXXX XXX XXXXXXXXX X X X XXX XXXX XX X X X XX X XXX X XXX XX XX X XXXXXXX XX XXXXXX X XXXXXXX XX X X T.TrifoliumTorilis japonica dubium repenspratense XXXX XXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XX X X X X X XX XX X XXXXXXXXX XX XX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXX X XXXXXX XX X XXX X X X X XXXX XXXXXX X . XX X X X X XX 1 DDDDDDDDDDDDD 1111 7777777788888888889999999999000 APPENDIX 5b cont. 111 i i 1 ii 11111111111111111111111111 1.1.1.111.110000000111111111122222222223333 TyphaTussilagoTrisetumTriglochin latifolia flavescensfarfara palustris 1234567890123 2345678901234567890123456789012 X XXXX XX X 3456789012345678901234567890123 12345678 X X X UrticaValerianaUlmusUlex suropasusdioicaagg. officinalis XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX X X X X X X X XXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXX X X X X X XXXX XXXXXXX X XXX X XX X XX XXXXXXXXXXXX X X XX XXX X X XX X V.Veronica_ anagallis-aquatic.a.__ hederifoliachamsedrysbeccabunga X XXXXXX XXXX XX X XXXX X X X X XX XXXX X XXXXXXX XXXXXX XX XXX XXXXXXXXX xam X XXXXX 0O ViburnumV. opulus serpyllifoliapersicamontana X X XX X XX XX XX X X ViolaV.V.Viccia riviniana cracca sepiumsativa XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX X X XX X XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX X X X XX XX XXXXXX XX XX XXXX XX XXXXXX X X in 0 0 M M 0 M 0 M 0 a 0 M M M 0 0 . M M 0 M 0 0 m 0 APPENDix '.811 1

0 Plants of Channel of the Royal Canal. Unit j m 111111111122222222223333333333444444444455555555555666666666777 0 tm sections 123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012 Alisaa plsats`o aquatics I IIIIII I I Apium modiflorum I 0 Callitricie sp. Carer scutiformis IIIIIII IIII III IIII IIiIII I I IIIII

C. ai(ra III I I IIII m C. oitru6ae C. rostrata IiIIIIII i z iIIItIII lIISIIiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII II I III II Carer sp. iii III Frif 0 Bleociaris scicularis z Slodes csasdeasis Ii z Iii? I III Squisetum fluristile I i z II 0 Glycerin asriss Ii IIIIIIIIIIiIII7IIillliitlllll IIIIIIiIIIIIIIIIIIIIiI III IIIIII 1 9ippuris ral`aris I III !I I I I II i Ii II Iris pseudacorus I II II 1I I I m Juncus sp. I i i II I I Lemas minor I tit Iiil 1 halaaties trifoliate z it IIII IIIIII VIII! I III 0 Myriopiyllum sp. IIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIII!SiiIIfIII7IIIIIIIII7IIIIIIISiII II III I III Aasturtium officiasle I i iI I I i II ii Nupiar lutes IIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIII III IIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I i!I I !IIIII m Pialaris aruadinaces I I II IIII I III II II i z i z I Pira/cites australis II III Polygoaam upiiiium I itiI I Iiz ti z m Potamogetom crispas I III IIII II P. nstaas II I IIIII IIiIIiliIIII I IIIIIII Bsauaculus circiastus I II 0 Q. flsmmuls II IIII I III II I I Q. liajus !!!VIII III II I I II iii IIIIIII I I II I IIIII !s. sceleratus I I I m Scirpus lacustris IIIIIIIIIIIII I !VIII!!!! IIIIIIIIIIIiiIIIIIIIII til z I I I Sparpaium emersum I VIIIVIII II I I I I ViIV I II S. erectal iI III III I III IIII II I I IIII typia latifolis IIII IIiIIiVVVIVIII i II III 1-1 Otricmlarit sp. IIii I I I m Zaaaiciellia palustris

Alice IIII IIII !IIIII I IIII III I I Ciaropiltes lIIIIIVi itI IiItII I I I I IIIIIII I I Poatiaalis I III I II IIIIIII m m m

2211 t min Species ofUNIT each Section found along the Channel nnnnnnpn nn nn of Units II and III of the II APPWIX 6b Royal Canal. III AchilleaAcer pseudoplatanus millefolium 234567890123 1111 234560812345667890123456789012 ili X 3456789012345678901234567890123 123411i 5678 AlismaA.AgrostisAgrimonia plantaRo-aquatics capillaris eupatoria stolonifera x XX X XXXXXXXXXX X XX X XXXX XXXXXX XXX X X XX XXX XX X X XX X AnthoxanthumAngelicaAlmsAnagallis giutinoea sylvestris tenella odoratum - X _x__ XX X XXXX XXX X XXX - X XX - . XX X X---. X XXX Y - XXXX- XX- XX - X XX XXX- X -- XX X X X _X X XX BaldelliaAvenulaArrhenatherumApiumAnthriscus nodiflorumpubsscens ranunculoides sylvestris elatius XX XXXX X X XXX X .... X X X CallitricheBriziaBetula app.mediaerecta app. X X X X XXXX XXX XXXXXXXX X X CardamineCalystegiaCaltha palustris pratensis sepium X XX X X XXX X X. XXX X XXXXXXXXX XXX X X X XXX X X C.C.Carex acutiformis diandrademissaappropinquata X XXXXX XX XX X X X XXXXX XXXX XXXX X XXXXX XXX XX X X x X X X C.C. elatadistichalepidocarpa XXXXX XX X X XXXX X X XX X X , APPENDIX 6b cont. t s Species of each Section found along the Channel of Units DDDDDDDDDDDD II and III of the Royal Canal. 111 1111111111111111111111111111111 1.LLL _LL C. otrubaenigra 234567890123 1111 23456789012345678901234567890127777777788888888889999999999000 34567890123456789012345678901230000000111111111122222222223333 XXX 12345678 CentaureaC. nigra rostratapaniculatapanicea X XXXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X X XXXXXXXX X XXXX X X XX XX X XXXX C.CirsiumCharaCeratophyllum spp. arvense demersum palustre X X X X X XX XXX X X XX ki DactylisCrataegusCladiumC. mariscusglomerata monogyna vulgare X XXX XX X W ElodeaEleocharisD.Dactylorhiza canadensis palustris fuchsii incarnate X XXXX X X XXX X X X XXXX X XX X X X X E.Epilobium angustifolium hirsutum X X XX X XX ' E.Equisetum arvense palustrefluviatile X X XX XXX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X XXX XX X X XXXXXX X XXXX FestucaEuphrasiaE. arundinacea app. variegatumpalustre XX X XX X XXXX XXX X GaliumFraxinusFilipendulaF. palustre exelsior ulmaria rubra xx X X X X XX XXXXXXXXXXXX X XX X X XXXXXX X X X XX X X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX X X XXXXXXXXXXXX X X Species of each Section found along the Channel of Unite 1PPMI X 6b cont . . 234567890123 1111 2345678901234567890123456789012777777778888A888889999999999000 II and III of the Royal 111 34567090123456789012343678901230000000111111111122222;322333331111111111111111111111111111111 Canal. IJ.I.I.Id.LL HippyrisHeracleumGroenlandiaG.Glyceria vulgaris sphondyliummaxima 0ensa Rlicata XXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX12345678 X >PariowHyd;ocotyleHYdrocharieHolcus lanatuststrapterum vulgarisam us-ranae XXX XXX X XX X XX X XX X XXXXXXXX X X XXX X XXXXXXX XXXXXX X X X XXX X X X - - JuncusIris aputiflorus psaudecorus a .X XXX X XX XX XXXX M XXX XX X X X XXXXXX- XXXXXXX X XXXXXXX -X XXX - XX -- - XXXX XXXXX XXX LemmaLathyrusJ. minor pratensis subnodulosusinflexus XXX XXXXXXXXX XXXX X X X X X XX X X X X XXXX X LoniceraLigustrumLeucanthesL. periclymenun vulgaris a vulgare trisulca XXXXXX XXXXXX XX XX X X XXXX X XX X XXX X X X X X XX X X MenthaLYthrumLycopusLychnis aquaticasalicariaeuropaeus floe-cuculi XXX X X XXXXXXXXX XX X ]a= X XX XX XX X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XX X X XX X X X X X MyricaMYosotisMolineall4nyanthes gale caeruleascorpioides trifoliata M X XX XXXX XXX X XX XXXI=X X XX X XXXXXXXXX XX X XXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX X XX X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X Xo M M M M M M M M Species of each Section found along the Channel of Units II and III of the Royal Canal. APPENDIX 6b cont. I DDDDDDDDDDDD 1111 7777777788888888889999999999000 111 00000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 T-111-111L MyriophyllumNupharNasturtium lutea officinalespp. XXX 234567890123XX XX X X XXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXX2345678901234567890123456789012 XX XX XXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX X X XXXXX XXX XX XXX 3456789012345678901234567890123XXXX X XX X XXXXXXX XX XXXX XX X X X XXX XX X XXX12345678 XXX X X X 0.Odontites0.Oenanthe vernaaquatica fistulosacrocata XX XX X XX XX XXX XX X X PhragmitesPhleumPhalarisPedicularis pratense arundinacea australis palustris XXX XXXXXXXX XXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXX XXXXX X X X X XXX X X X X X XX XXXX X X XXX X X XXXXXX XXX XX tJ P.PolygonumP,oaPimpinella spp. amphibium saxifraga persicaria X XXX XX X XX XX XXX X X X XXXXXXXXXX XXX X XX XXXXXX X XX X P.Potamogeton crispus spp.perfoliatusnatans X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX X X X X X X X PrunellaP.Potentilla vulgaris anserina reptanspaluatris X X XX XXXX XX X X X X X XXXXX X X R.RanunculusPrunus spinosa acris linguaflammula XXXX X X XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX XX XX XXX X XX X X X .XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX X XXXXXXXXX XXXXXX X. X XXX X X XX XXXXXXXXXX XX X X X M MM M M MM M MM M MMRubusRhinanthusR. Mfruticosus minor sceleratusrepens X X XX X X X X X XXXX X X X X XXX X X XX XX X XXX XX X XXXM M. M MM M XX XXXXX XX XXXXX XXX XX X XX 1FP1 IX 6b cont. Species of each Section found DDDDWDDDDDD along the Channel of Units 11 1111 and III of the 111 1111111111111111111111111111111 al nal. 114.1jil- SaginaR.Runex acetosanodosa obtusifoliushydrolapathue 234567012 X XXx 90123456789012 xxx xx X XXXXXXXXXX34567890123456789012345678900123 XX xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx X XX12345678 x S.Salix cinerea vininalisrepensfragilis X xx x XXXXXX x xx x x xx x X XXX X xx XX xx ScirpusS. lacustria app. - x X X xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xX xxxxxxx X X _ SSonchusScutellaria arvensis galericulatanecio aquaticus Jacobaea X xx X XX xxX xxx XXXXxxxxx xxxx XX x xx XXX S.SparganiurSorbus aucuparia esbrsum "Per *rectum x X XX XX xxxxxx xxxXxxx XXx XXXX XXXXXX XXX XX X Stachys Palustris XXXXXXXXX- X XXXXXX xxxxx xx T.TrifoliuwSuccisaStellaria pratensispratense media repens x X X X X XXXX x X x UrticaUlexTyphaTriglochin europaeus latifoliadioica palustris xx X x X X x XX XX XXXXXXX x x xxxxx xxx x x xxxxxx xx x XXXX xx x XXXv" x x x x X x VeronicaValerianaUtricularia anagallisaquaticaofficinalis spp. f . xx XXX X x XXXXXX X X XXXX xXXXXXX x XXXXX xxx x XX X x x x Species of each Section found along the Channel of Units II and III of the Royal Canal. APPENDIX 6b cont. 234567890123DDDDDDDDDDDD 1111 77777777888888888899999999990002345678901234567890123456789012 111 345678901234567890123456789012300000001111111111222222222233331111111111111111111111111111111 12345678T.TT.TJ.T_T.T_ V.Viccia cracca sepium scutellatabeccabunga X X X X X XXX XXXXXXXXXXX X X XX X X X X X FontinalisAlgae antipyretica X XXX X XXX ii mw m " in M Q w bw ` N N w. b lab r. ti . N a M as ti i w W. to a h k i NN, N N N N N N w k N be k k N NN N N N N N NNNN N k N N NNN AN N N `NNN +t N kN N NNk .; ..rr v k N NN !N N N N N N k Nk k N N N k N N N !ICONaCA) r N N N N k kik N N NNN CR N ek A k N NI APPEMIZ 7s contd. Locks and Bridges.

km sections 1111112223334444555556666677 0 1245791345790392780579567891245812 Sambucus niger x x Ml= x Sanguisoriaa minor x x M Senecio jacobea x x x x S. vulgaris x Sonchus arvensis x S. oleraceus x 1 0 Symphoricarpos albus x x x Syringa vulgaris x Taranacum agg. x?k710i0f01C XYX 1010 x 1010101010 x x x 0 71mailAgo farfara xx Urtica dioica xxx xxx x x x Valerian officinalis x 0 Vicia sepiun x

0 0 N 1 0

E 0 Zz9 M APPENDIX 7b UNITSpecies of Locks, Bridges and Harbours along Units II and DDDDDDDDDDDD II 11 1111111111111111111111III of the Royal Canal. III AcerSPECIES pseudoplatanus 23456789012334789245789023458902X 356801234679123457891312345X XX111177777888888999999900 X 0000111111112222222233LLLLL XXX X X X X X X XX X AlnusAgrostisAgrimoniaAchillea glutinosa stoloniferamillefoliumeupatoria XXX XX X X XXX X XXXXX XXX X X XX XX XXXXX X __Anthozantbum oderatinArtemisiaArrhenatherumAnthriscusAngelica sylvestrisvulgare sylvestris elatius XXXXX X - -X XXXXXX XXX X WNQ BriziaBetulaBellisA.Asplenium app.mediaperennis ruta-suraria trichomanes XXXXX XXX X XXXXX XX XXX XX XX XXX X X X X X X X X XXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX XXXX X CarexCardamineCalystegiaBuddleja flacca davidii pratensis sepium XX X XXX X ChamaecyparisCerastiumCentranthusCentaureaCeterach nigrafontanumofficinarum Tuber lawsoniana X XX X XXXXXXXXXX XXX X X X XXXXX X X X X X ClematisC.CirsiumChawmille arvense vitalba suaveolens vulgare X X X 11 APPENDIX 7b cont. UNIT DDDDDDDDDDDD 111177777888888999999900 00001111111122222222331.1.1.1"1 II . 11 1111111111111111111111 III , 23456789012334789245789023458902 356801234679123457891312345 CrataegusCotoneasterSPECIESCrepis capillaris monogyny spp. X X XX X XX X X X XX X X XX X XX X XXX C.DactylisCynosurusCymbalaria glomerata cristatusmuralis vesicaria XXXXX XX X X X X XXX X X X X X X DaucusEpilobiumDryopterisDesmazeria carota angustifoliumrigidafilix-mas X X XX X X XX XX X X X E9uisetumE. arvense montanumhirsutumpalustre XXX X X XX XX XX X X X FilipendulaFestucaEupatoriumFragraria rubra cannabinumvescaulmaria XXXXXX XX X X X X X X XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXX X XXXXXXXX XX X XX X X XXXX XXXXXXXXXX XX X G.G.GaliumFraxinus aparine exelsior verumpalustre X XXXXXX XXXXX XX XXXX X XXXX X X X X XXX X X XXXXX X XXXXXXX X XXX X GeraniumHederaG. helixlucidum robertianummolle X X X XXXXX X XX XX X X XXX X X X XX X X XXXXX X XXXXXXXX X XX X H.HeracleumHolcusHieracium lanatus sphondylium pilosella spp. X XX XXX XXX X X X X X no M M Maim M APPENDIX 7b cont. UNIT 23456789012334789245789023458902DDDDDDDDDDDD 356801234679123457891312345 111177777888688999999900 0000111111112222222233LLLLL II li 1111111111111111111111 III HypocharisH.HypericumHordeumSPECIES murinum perforatumradicata tetrapterum X X X X LeontodonLathyrusLapsanaKnautia communisarvensis pratensisautumnalis X X XX X XXXX X XX X X X X 40 -- -lr- Lin=LoniceraLigustrumLeucanthemum catharticum nitida vulgaris vulgare - hispidus - -- X XXXXXXXXXXXXX------X X X XX X XXX X X NedicagoLythrumLycopusLuzulaLotus corniculatus campertrislupulinasalicariaeuropaeus XX X X X X X X X X X OenantheNasturtiumOdontitesNentha aquaticscrocata officinaleverna X XX X X X XXX X X X X PiceaPhalarisPhyllitisPetasites app. arundinacea hybridusscolopendrium XXXXX X XX X XX X X X X XXX X X X XX X X X XX P.PoaPlantagoPimpinella annua lanceolata saxifrage pratensis XXXXXXX XXX X XX X XXX XX X X XX. X X X X X X X X 0 01 M M 0 N N 0 0 0 M N 0 M 0 0 0 0 0 N 0 N 0 UNIT DDDDDDDDDDDD 111177777888888999999900 APPENDIX II 7b cont. 11 1111111111111111111111 III P.PotentillaSPECIES anserina reptans 23456789012334789245789023458902X 356801234679123457891312345 X X X X X R.RanunculusPteridiumPrunus spinosa aquilinumbulbosus repens X X X X X X X X X X XX X RubusRosaRibesR. caningspp.fruticosus agg. agg. scleratus X XXXX XX XXX X XX X XXXXXX XX X X X XXXXXXX X XXX X X X X S.SalixRumexScrophulariaSambucus albssanguineus nigra nodosa aurita X XXXX X X X X X X X W SmyrniumS.SenecioSedum album aquaticusolusatrum jacobaea XXXXXX X X X X X XXXXXX XX X X X X XXX SorbusS.SonchusSolanum aria arvensistuberasum agg. oleraceusasper X X TorilisTaraxacumStachysS. palustrisjaponica app. aucuparia X XX X XX X X X XXXX XXXXXXX X X TussilagoT.Trifolium farfaradubium repenspratense XX X X X XX X X X UNIT APPENDIX II 7b cont. III UlmusSPECIES agg. 23456789012334789245789023458902DDDDDDDDDDDD 356801234679123457891312345 111177777888888999999900 0000111111112222222233LLLLL 11 1111111111111111111111 VeronicaValeriana_afficinAlisUrtica dioica chamaedrys -XX XX XX JC - XX - X -X- x----x X X -- - X XX X X X X WN V.VicciaViburnumVeronica cracca opuluspersica sepium X X - - --- X M M a M

APPENDIX 8

Species and !ipecies Diversity recorded on sass selected areas whichwere dredged d'jring 1484and 1940 along the Royal Canal. 0 The X Ocrrruce of those species recorded on the bankand towpath are also given. Ek.Tp.Bk.Tp.Bk.Tp. o"k. Tp.8k.Tp.Bk.Tp.Bk.8k.9k.Bd.Bk.Bd.Bk.10cc Mcc t 15 40 44 45 59 6S 66'67 Bk.Tp. 0 EECTM 1 1 2 2 11 11 12 12 14 14 15 SPECIES to ' ku psendaplatanus X X Achillea sillefolius X X X 27 17

Agricr.ia eupatoria X X i8 - X X X X X 63 17 Agrostis stolmifera X X X X X ' M Allius vineale X 9 - Anagallis tenella X X X 1 1 27 33 Angelica sylvestris X X X X X 36 -' Anthoxanthus odaratus X X X 27 - 0 9 33 Arctius sinus X X X X X X 82 50 irrhematheru elatiLi x X X X X X X X X X 0 Brachypodius sylvatic= X 9 _ ' Bri:ia cedia X 9 -

X 1 1 63 33 Calystegia sepia X X X X X X X X 18 17 Carex disticha X X ' 0 1 9 - C. elata C. fIacca X 9 C. rostrata x X X X X 1 54

Centaurea nigra X X X X X X X X X X 54 50

Cerastius fontaaus X X 9 17

Chenopodius X X 9 17

0 X X X X X X X X X X 1 X 62100 Cirsius arvense X X X X X X , C. palustre X X 1 1 27

C. vulgare X X X 1 X X X X 43 33 0 67 X X X - Chasosille suaveolens X ' Convolvulus arvensis X X X 27 - Crepis vesicaria x 9 -

0 X X 1 27 17 Cream cristatus X ' Dactylis glowata X X X X 18 33 Dam carota x X X X X X 18 67

0 X 1 27 33 Elyu s repens X X X 9 17 Epilobius angustifolius X X , E. hirsutus X X X X 36 -

E. parviflorus X 9 -

X X X X X X 54 33 Egwsetus arvense X X x ' 0 Eupatarius cannabincu X 1 X X 18 33 Eupharbia peplus X 9 - Festuca rubra x X 1 18 17

X X X X X 1 1 82 50 Filipurhla ulearia X X X X X X ' 0 27 Fraxinus exeisicr X X X - Fucaria officinale x - 17 M 6aliue palustre X X X 1 27 -' 6. verus X X X X X X 1 36 33

6eraniuo dissectus X X 1 9 33 0 6. robertianuu X 1 9 17 , 6m urbanws 1 9 -

6lyceria saxisa X X 1 1 X X X X X 1 X X X 1 73 67 M heraclew Whardylius X X X X X 1 36 33 ialcus lanatus X X X X X X X X 1 54 50 , Nypericue perfrw atu X 9 - 0 1 W:03 =cont. 0

Saes " Suits Diversity rr.wdwon sax sele:ted as which we &edgeo dwirg 199? Lid 1290 slang txFaval cral. ?ht : acarrence cf Umse sce:ies retardedat t1m back arcs tomb are also liven. 0

Bk.?s.Bk. 'p. A.'c. 'o.9k.To. Bk.'a.Bk. Bk.8k.U.Sk.8c.9k.%Occ 10 -TIM 1 1 2 1: 11 12 14 14 15'15 43 44 45 59 66 66 67 Bk.U. 3E:'E8

iwaoctaris rxfiata 0 1 X ? - Iris tse kwus 1 I 1 X Y I Y 1 54 17 scutiflarus - 1 ; t-ticulattes . 1 1 1 27 :. inflows 1 .1 r z t 1 1 1 r z 73 33 kiadis srvens:s X _ 9 taefm c2mmtis X X X X X 0 I X X 27 03 pratmais X X X I r X X 3 1 Y X 54 67 :eaetodoa hispidas I I - _ .- 33 Lexmfteene vulgam z I I I I I !8 33 Lreee cae-a-ticue 9 _ x omits peretm x I X X 27 17 - d. tani:,:Iatus z 9 - X .ytrja ssii:ris I 1 1 16 17 .9mh r I*dina 1 1 9 17 !Atha apttatia z 1 I 1 X I 1 I 36 50 trifoliate z I 9 - pyaec'as arvmis 1 9 _ ldlurtica cffid-We X 9 - bow letea Y r -

bns reams Y 1 I !B - dripm ruloare 1 1 1 18 17 P *w spo. 1 X 1 _ 27 F"tee wAndlus x I 1 I X I X 415t 33 fhaleris wundinacm X X X X I I X I 11 r 1 54 83 gum watow I 1 I I 1 18 - 50 nslimlla saxii-aa I Y . pae* 1 ant:eal ata X I 1 Y I x I I 1 1 45 61 F. eaj:r z x I X 1 - 83 Fu a x I I X 1 I 18 67 1.trivialis I I I I 1 18 50 Mypm aephibita I I I X I I X X I 1 1 73 33 !. aviculre Y I I 9 17 Patm ills Marina I I I X 1 1 36 - F. rates I I 1 1 r z I 1 1 73 17 Ft:rllavui;w:s I 1 X 12 17 flee sautcsa 1 9 -

ft- viiiiee amdlim2 1 9 - 0 f Raeemm do swig X I I 1 1 1 36 17 ° flaeoula °. r i9 f 1 is ;aa I X X 1 X 1 17 it. read X X 1 r X X I I I I I 1 X 1 I I 9i 67. R. s:eleratus x 9 - Fiseia luted"t X 1 13 17 tutho am 1 9

kAw fratimm agg. X I I 1 I I I X 1 1 73 17 wF;b,71X 8 cont.

species and Eoecies i iversity recorded on some selected areaswhich we dreoaed during 1989anI 1990 along the royal Canal. The % Occurrence of hose species recorded on the bank ' and tz-gath ire also given.

Bk.To. Rk.To. Sic. To. FK. To.Bk.To.Sk.Tc.Bk. Bk. Sic. Bd.Bk.6d.Bk. I&C YOm SECTIM 1 1 2 2 11 :1 12 12 14 14 15 15 40 44 45 59 66 66 67 9k.Tp. SPECicS 1 =uaex cbtusifolius i. X X T X 18 50

R. sanquineus X X X X q 50 Sagina nodosi X 9 -1 Scirous lacustris x X X 27 - Scutellaria galericulati x 9 -

Senecio aquaticus X q

S. jacobaea x X X X X X X X 36 50 1

S. vulgre x X X X X X 27 50

Sinapsis arvensis X q - Sisysbriuw officinale X X X q 33 1 Solinue dulcieri X II X X X X "47 50 Sonchus arvensis x X X 27 - S. aspen r X X 19 - S. slericeus X X 19 - Spargasi= erectus z 9 -

Stachys palustris x X X 19 17

S. sylritica X - 17

Succisa pratensis x X 9 - Taraxacue aqg. X X 9 - Torilis jmanici x X 19 - 1 Trifolius pratense x X X X X X X X 54 33

Triglachin pilustris X X X X 36 - Tussilago frfara X - -

Typha latifolii X X 19 - Mix europieus X q -

;irtici dioica x X X X X X X X X X X 73 50

Valeriaaa off icinilis x X X X X X 54 -

Viccia cracci X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 91 67 V. sepiue X X 9 - 1 91MUY 75 19 58 33 29 41 20 26 20 17 16 12 49 16 31 22 16 23 45 Bk. = Bards,Bd. = Boundary, Tp. = Towpath. 1

L 0

APPENDIX 9 Species List ofPlants recorded along the RoyalCanal: Latin to English Acer pseudoplatanus Achillea millefoli Sycamore Yarrow Aegopodium podagraria Aesculus hippocastanum Ground Elder Horse Chestnut Agrimoniaeupatoria Agrostis capillaris Agrimony Common Bent A. stolonifera Ajuga reptans Creeping Bent Alisma plantago-aquatica Bugle Alliaria petiolata Water Plantain Alnus glutinosa Garlic mustard 0 Anacamptis pyramidal$s Alder Anagallisarvensis Pyrammidal Orchid Scarlet Pimpernel A. tenella N Andromeda polifolia Bog Pimpernel Angelica sylvestris Bog Rosemary I Antennaria dioica Wild Angelica N Anthoxanthum odoratutq Fountain Everlasting Anthriscus sylvestri* Sweet Vernal-grass Anthyllis vulneraria Cow Parsley N Aphanes arvensis Kidney Vetch Apium nodiflorum Parsley Piert Arctium minus Fool's WaterCress 0 Armoracia rusticana Lesser Burdock Horse-Radish Arrhenatherum elatius' Artemisia vulgaris False Oat-Grass N Arum maculatum Mugwort Asplenium ruts-murari* Wild Arum (Lordsand Ladies) Wall Rue A. trichomanes. N Atriplexapp. Maidenhair Spleenwort Avenula pubeecens Orache app, Downy Oat-Grass Baldelliaranunculoidgs E Bellis perennis Lesser WaterPlantain Berula erects Daisy Betula spp. Lesser Water Parsnip a Blackstonia Birch app. perfoliata' Yellow Wort Brachypodiumpinnatum B. Tor-Grass 0 sylvaticum False Brome Brassicaraps Brizia media Wild Turnip Bromus erectus Quaking Grass N B. hordeaceus Upright Brome B. ramosus Soft Brome Buddleja davidii Hairy Brome N Butterfly Bush Callitricheapp. Calluna vulgaris Water Starwort 1 Caltha palustris Heather- Ling E Hedge Bindweed Marsh Marigold Hedge bindweed C. silvatica Capsella bursa-pastorig Large Bindweed E Cardamine flexuosa Shepherd's Purse Wavy Bitter Cress hirsuta Hairy Bitter 0 C. Cress ;- pratensis Cuckoo Flower 0 1 259 0 N 1 N APPENDIX 9 cont. Carduus acanthoides Welted Thistle 1 Carex acuta Slender Tufted sedge N C. acutiformis Lesser Pond-sedge C. appropinquata Fibrous Tussock Sedge 1 C. aquatilis Water Sedge E C. caryophyllea Spring Sedge C. demissa Common Yellow Sedge C. diandra Lesser Tussock Sedge N C. disticha Brown Sedge C. echinata Star Sedge E C. elata Tufted Sedge 1 C. flacca Glaucous Sedge C. hirta Hairy Sedge C. lepidocarpa Long-stalked YellowSedge N C. nigra Common Sedge C. otrubae False Fox Sedge 0 C. panicea Carnation Sedge C. paniculata Greater Tussock Sedge 1 C. pulicaris Flea Sedge 0) C. remota Remote Sedge C. rostrata Bottle Sedge 1 C. sylvatica Wood Sedge Carlina vulgaris Carline Thistle Castinea sativa Sweet Chestnut Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed Centaurium erythraea Common Centaury 0 Centranthus ruber Red Valerian Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear C. glomeratum Sticky Mouse-ear Ceratophyllum demersum Rigid Hornwort Ceterach officinarum Rustyback Fern Chaenorhinum minus It Small Toadflax Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Lawson's Cypress Chamomille suaveolens Pineappleweed Chenopodium album Fat Hen Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle C. palustre Marsh Thistle N C. vulgare Spear Thistle Cladium mariscus Great Fen Sedge Clematis vitalba Traveller's Joy E Coeloglossum viride Frog Orchid 1 Convolvolus arvensis Field Bindweed Corylus avellana Hazel Cotoneasterspp. Cotoneaster 0 Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn/White thorn 1 Crepis biennis Rough Hawk's-beard 0 C. capillaris Smooth Hawk's-beard C. vesicaria Beaked Hawk's-beard 1 Cyclamen hederifolium Cyclamen 0 Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dog's Tail 1 Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot Grass Dactylorhiza fuchsii Common Spotted-Orchid D. incarnata Early Marsh Orchid D. maculata Heath Spotted orchid 1 N Danthonia decumbens Heath Grass 1 0 239' 0 0 APPENDIX 9 cont. Daucus carota Wild Carrot 0 Deschampsia caespit9sa Tufted Hair Grass

Desmazeria rigfda j Fern Grass Drosera rotundifoli4 Round-leaved Sundew 0 Dryopteris dilatata! Broad Buckler Fern Dryopteris filix-mad Male Fern Echium vulgare Viper's Bugloss 0 Eleocharis palustris Common Spike-Rush Elodea canadensis Canadian Pondweed Elymus repens Common Couch 0 Empetrum nigrum Crowberry Epilobium angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb E. hirsutum Great Willowherb E E. montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb E. palustre Marsh Willowherb E. parvi f 1 oru* Hoary Willowherb E Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail E. fluviatilel Water Horsetail E. palustre Marsh Horsetail N i E. telmateia Great Horsetail E. variegatumi Variegated Horsetail Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Hoath' N 1 Eriophorum angustifo ium Common Cotton Grass E. latifoli Broad-leaved Cottongrass E. vaginatum Hare's-tail Cotton Grass 0 Euonymus europaeus Spindle Eupatorium cannabinut Hemp Agrimony Euphrasia app. Eyebright app. N Euphorbia helioscopi Sun Spurge E. peplus Petty spurge Fagus sylvatica Beech E Festuca arundinacea Tall Fescue i F. pratensis Meadow Fescue F. rubra Red Fescue 0 Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet 1 Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Fragraria vesca Wild Strawberry 0 Fraxinus exelsior Ash Fuchsia magellanica Fuchsia Fumaria officinalis Common Fumitory N Galium aparine Cleavers G. palustre Common Marsh Bedstraw G. uliginosum Fen Bedstraw E G. verum Lady's Bedstraw Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Crane's-bill G. lucidum Shining Crane's-bill E G. molle Dove's-foot Crane's-bill G. pyrenaicum Hedge Crane's-Bill G. robertianum Herb Robert M Geum urbanum Wood Avon Glechoma hederacea Ground Ivy Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet-Grass G. fluitans Floating Sweet-Grass G. plicata Plicate Sweet-Grass GF,oenlandia densa Opposite Leaved Pondweed E 1 Gymnadenia conopsea Fragrant- Orchid 0 2k O N 0

0 APPENDIX 9 cont.

Hedera helix Ivy 0 Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Hieracium pilosella Mouse-ear Hawkweed Hippuris vulgaris Mare's Tail E Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Hyacinthoides non-scriptus Bluebell 0 Hydrocharis morsus-range Frogbit Hydrocotyle vulgaris Marsh Pennywort Hypericum androsaemum Tutsan 0 H. hircinum Stinking Tutsan H. perforatum Perforate St.John's Wort H. pulchrum Slender St.John's Wort N H. tetrapterum Sq. stalked St. John's Wort Hypocharis radicata Cat's-ear Ilex aquifolium Holly Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris 1 Juncus acutiflorus Sharp-Flowered Rush J. articulatus Jointed Rush E J. bulbosus Bulbous Rush 1 J. conglomeratus Compact Rush J. effusus Soft Rush 0 J. inflexus Hard Rush 1 J. subnodulosus Blunt-Flowered Rush Knautia arvensis Field Scabnious 0 Lamium album White Dead-Nettle Lamium purpureum Red Dead-Nettle 1 Lapsana communis Nipplewort N Larix spp. Larch Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling 1 Lemna minor Common Duckweed E L. trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed Leontodon autumnalis Autumn Hawkbit E; L. hispidus Rough Hawkbit L. taraxacoides Lesser Hawkbit Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy Leycesteria formosa Himalayan. Honeysuckle 1 0 Ligustrum vulgaris Wild Privet Linaria purpurea Purple Toadflax Linum bienne Pale Flax 1 E L. catharticum Fairy Flax Listera ovata Common Twayblade N Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-Grass 1 Lonicera nitida Shining Honeysuckle L. periclymenum Honeysuckle L. xylosteum Fly Honeysuckle 0 i Lotus corniculatus Bird's-Foot Trefoil Luzula campestris Field Wood rush N Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged-Robin Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort Lysimachia nemorum Yellow Pimpernel N Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife Malus spp. Apple Malva sylvestris Common Mallow 0 Medicago lupulina Black Medick 0 . 241 1 0 E 1 APPENDIX 9 cont. Melampyrum pratense' Mentha aquatics Common Cow-Wheat 0 Water Mint Menyanthes trifoliata Bogbean Molinea caerulea Purple boor Grass 0 Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not M. discolor Changing Forget-me-not M. laxa M. Tufted Forget-me-not 0 scorpioides Water Forget-me-not Myrica gale Myriophyllum Bog-Myrtle app. Milfoil E Narthecium ossifragum Bog Asphodel Nasturtium officinalp Water Cress Nuphar lutea Yellow Water Lily Nymphaea albs 0 Odontites White Water Lily verna Red Bartsia Oenanthe aquatics Fine-leaved Water-Dropwort 0. crocata N 0. Hemlock Water-Dropwort fistulosa Tubular Water-Dropwort Ononis repene Restharrow 0 Ophrys apifera Bee Orchid Orchis mascula 0. Early Purple Orchid morio Green-winged Orchid N Origanum vulgare Marjoram Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel Papaver app. Poppy Parnassia palustris Grass of Parnassus Pedicularis palustris! Marsh Lousewort P. sylvatica' Lousewort Petasites hybridus Butterbur Phalaris arundinacea Phleum pratense Reed Canary Grass Timothy Grass 0 Phragmites australis Common Reed Phyllitis scolopendriom Hart's Tongue Fern Picea spp. Spruce 0 Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet Saxifrage Pinguicula lusitanica Pale Butterwort P. . vulgarin Pinus radicata Common Butterwort n Monterey Pine P. sylvestris Plantago lanceolata Scot's Pine Ribwort Plantain P. major 0 Poa annua Greater Plantain Annual MeadowGrass P. pratensis Smooth Meadow P. trivialis Grass 0 Rough Meadow Grass Polygala serpyllifolia Heath Milkwort P. vulgaris Polygonum amphibium Common Milkwort 0 Amphibious Bistort P. aviculare Knotgrass P. persicaria Redshank 0 Polypodium vulgare Polypody Populus app. Poplar Potamogeton crispus Curled Pondweed P. N lucens Shining Pondweed P. natans P.- perfol iatus Broad-Leaved Pondweed P. Perfoliate Pondweed N 1 polygonifolius Bog Pondweed N ; 2,142, N APPENDIX 9 cont. Potentilla anserina Silverweed P. erecta Tormentil P. palustris Marsh Cinquefoil P. reptans Creeping Cinquefoil 1 P. sterilis Barren Strawberry Primula veris Cowslip P. vulgaris Primrose. 1 Prunella vulgaris Selfheal Prunus avium Wild Cherry P. spinosa Blackthorn 1 N Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Fern Pulicaria dysenterica Fleabane Quercus agg. Oak N Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup 1 R. bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup R. circinatus Fan-Leaved Water-Crowfoot N R. ficaria Lesser Celandine 1 R. flammula Lesser Spearwort R. lingua Greater Spearwort R. sceleratus Celery Leaved Buttercup R. trichophyllus Thread-leaved Water-crowfoot Reseda luteola Weld Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle Rhynchospora alba White Beak Sedge Ribes uva-crispa Gooseberry Rosa caning agg. Dog Rose Rubus fruticosus Bramble R. idaeus Raspberry Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel R. conglomeratus Clustered Dock R. crispus Curled Dock R. hydrolapathum Water Dock R. obtusifolius Broad-Leaved Dock R. sanguineus Wood Dock Sagina nodosa Knotted Pearlwort S. procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort Sagittaria sagittifolia Arrowhead Salix albs White Willow S. aurita Eared Willow S. caprea Goat Willow S. cinerea Rusty Willow S. fragilis Crack Willow S. purpurea Purple Willow S. repens Creeping Willow 1 S. viminalis Osier Sambucus nigra Elder Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet Sanicula europaea Sanicle Schoenus nigricans Black Bog Rush Scirpus caespitosus Deer Grass S. lacustris Common Club Rush Scrophularia nodosa Common Figwort Scutellaria galericulata Skullcap Sedum album White Stonecrop 1

2,43 1 0

APPENDIX 9 cont. Senecio aquaticus Marsh Ragwort S. erucifolius Hoary Ragwort 0 -9. jacobaea Common Ragwort 9. vulgaris Groundsel Sherardia arvensis Field Madder a Silene albs White Campion Silybum marianum Milk Thistle Sinapsis arvensis Charlock it Sisymbrium officinae Hedge Mustard Smyrnium olusatrum Alexander Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet S. tubersum Potatoe

Sonchus arvensis j Perennial Sow Thistle S. asper Prickly Sow Thistle a S. oleraceus Smooth Sow Thistle Sorbus aria Cou non Whi tebeam f S. aucuparia Rowan Sparganium emersum Unbranched Bur-Reed S. erectum Branched Bur-Reed Stachys palustris Marsh Woundwort E S. sylvatica Hedge Wbundwort Stellaria graminea Lesser Stitchwort S. holostea Greater - St itchwoi t a S. media Common Chickweed S. palustris Marsh Stitchwort Succisa pratensis Devil's-Bit Scabious Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry Symphytum officinale Common Comfrey Syringa vulgaris Lilac a Tanacetum vulgare Tansy Taraxacum app. Dandelion Taxus baccata Yew a Tilia agg. Lime Torilis japonica Upright Hedge Parsley Tragopog+on pratensial Goat's Beard Trifolium dubium Lesser Trefoil T. pratense Red Clover T. repens White Clover Triglochin palustris Marsh Arrowgrass Trisetum flavescens Yellow Oat Grass Tritonia crocusmiflorla Montbretia Tussilago farfara Colt's-Foot Typha latifolia Bulrush Ulex europaeus Gorse Ulmus agg. Elm Urtica dioica Common Nettle Utricularia spp. Bladderwort a Valeriana officinalis Common Valerian Verbascum thapsus Great Mullein Veronica anagallis-agoatica Blue Water-Speedwell V. beccabunga Brooklime V. catenata Pink Water-Speedwell a 1 V. chamaedrys Germander Speedwell V. hederifolia Ivy-leaved Speedwell V, montana Wood Speedwell V. persica Common Field Speedwell 0 .2k4 0 1 APPENDIX 9 cont. V. scutellata Marsh Speedwell 1 V. serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved Speedwell Viburnum opulus Guelder Rose Viccia cracca Tufted Vetch V. sativa Common Vetch V. sepium Bush Vetch Vinca minor Periwinkle Viola spp. Violet 1 Zanichellia palustris Horned Pondweed

Algae Charophytes Stoneworts ' Fontinalis antipyretics Willow Moss

1 0 APPENDIX 10 m 1 Native Trees and shrubs suitable for planting m

I Acid Neutral Alkaline-I

<5m metres in height . I I 0

Birch I i 0

I Blackthorn

I Crab apple m I Spindle *. 0 Guelder rose I

Hawthorn

I Hazel I

Holly * * * I

Rowan I I

>5 metres I 0 Ash * * I 0

I Oak I 0

I willows * * * I 1 0 m m 8 1

Native Trees and Shrubs suitable for planting (cont.)

Species to be avoided -

Sycamore - seeds prolifically when mature and can immdo areas with dense stands of saplings.

Poplar - species tend to produce suckers which can causeproblems for access.

Suitable species

Alder - a small tree capable of growing in wetor waterlogged conditions. It has a dense fibrous root system that binds soil well.

Ash - a tall, light demanding tree with an opencanopy, often 1 found on river banks.

Birch - both downy and silver birch can be plantedand will form slender graceful trees which are aesthetically pleasing. Downy birch is tolerant of damp sites. Both are light-densndinq and 1 should not form part of a mixture of trees forthis reason. Blackthorn - a low dense shrub that is valuable ascover for birds and useful for hedging and faggots. 1 Spindle - an attractive open shrub with very striking scarletand orange fruits.

Guelder rose - an attractive open shrub with striking white, many-flowered heads and good autumn colour.

Hawthorn -a dense sodium sized tree or hedgerow shrub useful for faggots. It establishes easily from whips and gives a stock proof barrier. The white bunches of flowers prw idearich 1 nectar source for insects. Birds bonefit from the cover for roosting and nesting whilst the fruit is a valuable foodin autumn.

Hazel - a sodium to low open shrub that gives an earlypollen source and edible nuts in the autumn. It coppices well and-the coppice stakes and whips can be used in hedging orsold for pea sticks or for thatching spars.

Holly - this is an evergreen tree or shrub.Hale and female flowers are normally on separate trees. The fruit is popular with birds. Its dense shade will kill vegetation beneath so it should not be used where this could be critical. Holly is an excellent hedging shrub and will also coppice well. 1 Oak - a large opan-crowned tree, but slow growing. It is a valuable tree for insects.

Rowan - a medium to tall, open tree, light-demanding.The groups 1 of white flowers provide a good nectar source and thefruit is taken by birds. willows - they are allfast-growing and tolerant of wet conditions. There are two native tree species and the remainder 1 are shrubs or small trees. Many willow crosses occur and identification can be difficult.Tree species can be pollarded. All can be coppiced. willow stakes and whips can be used to protect banks from erosion and stabilise embankments. Willows 1 are the foodplant of many moth caterpillars.

Tree species - white willow, crack willow.

Shrubs and small trees - osier, goat willow, coaimon allow, 1 purple willow.

(after: Newbold at al, 1989)

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