Habitats:

Habitats Introduction

Marine & Coastal Habitats

Wetlands

Grasslands

Limestone Habitats

Woodland, Trees and Hedgerows

Gardens and Parks

Buildings and Stone Walls

Peatlands
Ireland hosts a significant proportion of the peatlands present in Europe. Peatlands support many plant and animal species which do not occur elsewhere. Thus, the conservation of these remaining peatlands in Ireland is critical and it is our responsibility to protect these areas. Clare hosts many important intact peatlands.

Peatlands are formed in wet areas where plant material does not decompose entirely producing a fibrous peaty soil. Peatlands can be divided into two types, fens and bogs. Fens are alkaline with a pH of 7 or 8 and are wet due to ground water. Bogs are acidic with a pH of 3 or 4 and are maintained wet through rainfall. Clare hosts some very important areas of fens. Despite this fens have not been surveyed much in Clare.

Bogs can be further divided into raised and blanket bogs. Raised bogs are generally found in the midlands and blanket bogs are generally found in the west of Ireland. Blanket bogs in Clare include Glendree Bog, north of Feakle and Pollagoona bog close to the Clare-Galway border. Raised bogs include Tullaher bog, north-east of Kilkee and Cloonloum More bog south-west of Tulla. Tullagher bog is the furthest south raised bog in the world.

More than 80% of our bogs in Ireland have been severely damaged. The main causes of damage are turf and peat cutting, afforestation, overgrazing and drainage.