Action for Nature Conservation Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Local Biodiversity Action Plan This project is part-financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVA Cross-border Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. Contents The Biodiversity of Armagh, Banbridge 1 and Craigavon - A Vision for the Future Biodiversity and Sustainability- Why it Matters 1 Threats to Biodiversity 2 Biodiversity - The Framework 4 Developing Our Local Biodiversity Action Plan 5 Our Local Area 7 Sites Which are Designated for Wildlife 9 Priority Species Identified for Conservation Action 10 Priority Habitats Identified for Conservation Action 16 Conservation Actions 26 How You Can Help 27 Glossary of Terms 28 Acknowledgements 28 Links to Websites 28 Published February 2014 Navan Fort, Armagh © Barry McQueen Action for Nature Conservation The Biodiversity of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon - A Vision for the Future What do we want the Council areas of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon to look like in the future? Certainly, a landscape that is rich in animals and plants and enjoyed and used by local people and tourists as well as being an asset to the area. Biodiversity and Sustainability - Why it Matters BIODIVERSITY Biodiversity is life in all its shapes and forms and encompasses all living things. We value our wild places and the animals and plants that inhabit them. We IT IS OUR DUTY have a tremendous range of habitats from the urban and suburban gardens of the towns and villages to the vast waters of Lough Neagh, the rolling pastures The Wildlife and Natural of agricultural land and orchards to the rolling foothills of the Mourne Environment Act (NI) 2011 Mountains. places a statutory duty on every public body to We value these places and the plants and the animals they contain not only further the conservation because we are part of it but also for the quality of life which they provide for of biodiversity so far as is us. We benefit from a multitude of resources and processes that are supplied consistent with the proper by natural ecosystems. Collectively, these benefits are known as ecosystem exercise of those functions. services and include products like clean drinking water and processes such as the decomposition of waste. It is, however, important that we do not take them for granted and are aware of the tremendous effect we are having on our wildlife. Natural habitats and the animals and plants that live in them are being lost at an alarming rate. The pressures of development and agricultural improvement have combined to cause a loss of habitat and serious declines in a number of plants and animals. Clare Glen,Tandragee © Armagh City and District Council 1 Action for Nature Conservation Site Clearance and Dumping on Bog Threats to Biodiversity © Craigavon Borough Council As throughout much of Northern Ireland many species and valued habitats are declining within the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area. When damaged or destroyed many of our habitats are impossible to restore or re-create. Adverse impact is often caused by human activity. Fortunately this means that we can change our behavior to stop the damage this is causing to biodiversity. Some of the main threats are discussed below. Infrastructure Development Development of houses and commercial property with the associated infrastructure is replacing our countryside. The demand for rural dwellings can lead to the infilling of inter-drumlin hollows for houses and the destruction of their habitats and species. As the habitats become more fragmented, the movement of species becomes more restricted leaving them vulnerable to extinction in the area. Many species need a considerable territory to find food. This includes large animals like the hare and insects such as the bumblebee. Land Management Major changes to agriculture, starting in the 1950’s and 1960’s had a profound effect on our wildlife. The move from arable and mixed farming to one of intensive grass production has had a negative effect on wildlife. Recent changes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and in particular the agri- environmental support now provided to farmers has helped to reduce the rate of loss. Many of the wildflowers, insects and birds, however, have suffered major declines. 2 Action for Nature Conservation Nutrient Enrichment The application of phosphates and nitrates to land and their discharge from industrial and sewage works has caused algal populations in lakes to bloom to the detriment of flowering plants. It causes devastating changes to the vegetation structure of our fens and grasslands, eliminating many rare and important species. Climate Change Changes to the climate caused by the human population are reflected in changes to our wildlife. Many of the moth and butterfly species are being found further north each year and many of our cold adapted species are facing a decrease in their habitat. Wetter summers are proving challenging for some of our species with barn owls and bats being unable to forage in rain. Warmer conditions also make it possible for non- native species to gain a foothold and expand their range pushing out native species. Non-Native Species Non-native species compete directly with our native species or can result in damage and degradation of natural habitats. Giant hogweed is an example that is commonplace along the River Bann and other rivers and has adversely affected the biodiversity of the habitat. Japanese knotweed is found notably on disused land and also along some of the rivers. Its root system can penetrate foundations and walls causing structural damage. Another non-native species in the area is the grey squirrel which has replaced the native red squirrel except in the Carrigatuke Hills. Giant Hogweed © Ron Murray 3 Action for Nature Conservation Biodiversity - The Framework International Framework As international concern grew over loss of Biodiversity, Why Do We Need a Local 178 countries, including the UK and Ireland, signed the Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP)? Convention on Biodiversity at the Rio Earth Summit in Local people know and appreciate their own 1992. They also agreed to the sustainable use of the earth’s resource and for this reason alone a local plan is resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits necessary. Each plan provides the opportunity for arising from the use of the range and variety of animals and local people to decide on the priorities in their plants. area and to have a full say in the development and implementation of the plan. It provides the In the same year the European Union adopted the Habitats opportunity for everyone to be involved and Directive which requires member states to designate Special contribute to the actions that we are all agreed Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas upon. (SPAs) to protect some of the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. The LBAP helps to ensure that national and Northern Ireland targets for species and habitat conservation in the Northern Ireland Action Plans Regional Framework are translated into effective action at the local The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy has identified level. It details the actions required at a local level major issues affecting Biodiversity and contains specific and what must be achieved on the ground. It also recommendations for conservation action. It has identified comprises species and habitats that are not included priority species and habitats requiring action in Northern on the national or regional plans but are of local Ireland. importance. Soldier Beetle on Yorkshire Fog © Esmee Murray 4 Action for Nature Conservation Bluebells, Gosford Forest Park © Esmee Murray Developing Our Local Aims and Objectives Biodiversity Action Plan The aims and objectives of the LBAP are to: The Challenges • Identify key species and habitats We should not underestimate the challenge before us. Preventing that are under threat in the area. any further loss of Biodiversity is a giant peak to climb and we should Prepare Action Plans in appreciate that local Biodiversity is still being lost at a significant rate. • conjunction with other The pressures on Biodiversity will continue to mount. stakeholders. • Identify and target key actions Local Steering Group which will conserve and enhance In the Spring of 2011 an Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Local the environment and wildlife of Steering Group was established under the auspices of the Action the area for the benefit of locals for Biodiversity Project to develop the LBAP and action plans and visitors alike. for conserving species and habitats that have been identified as important within the area. The Steering Group comprised • Help people to discover more representatives from the District Councils, Northern Ireland about wildlife in towns and in the Environment Agency and voluntary organisations. Community countryside. involvement in the management of biodiversity in our area has been • Encourage greater community and will be key to the success in the implementation of this plan. involvement in practical conservation. • Develop long-term partnerships which are effective in taking action on the ground. 5 Action for Nature Conservation Swans on the Newry Canal, Scarva © Banbridge District Council Audit of Species and Habitats A key part of the LBAP has been the evaluation of the wildlife resource in the area. This identified the species and habitats present in the area that are under threat, national and Northern Ireland priorities in the context of the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy as well as local priorities. The Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Local Steering Group used criteria to decide which species and habitats should be prioritised for conservation action. Criteria used included conservation status, extent, rarity and importance to local people. These are our priority species and habitats that are described in this document for which detailed action plans will be written.