Conservation Areas

1. Part of UNESCO Worlds first International Global Geopark. This is an area recognised to have exceptional geological heritage & natural landscape, which has a significant scientific value, is particularly rare or beautiful. A Geopark has a commitment to benefit the local economy, by bringing tourists into the region, creating jobs and increasing the need for new businesses. There are 57 geoparks throughout the world and every 3 years they undergo a stringent auditing process which will mean they retain or loose their status. UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Conservation Areas

2. Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are strictly protected sites designated under the EC Habitats Directive. The listed habitat types and species are those considered to be most in need of conservation at a European level. Within the Geopark area, there are 8 Special Areas of Conservation and at least 18 Areas of Special Scientific Area, all within the hydraulic fracking licence area..... Special Areas of Conservation: West Fermanagh Scarplands, Largalinny, Lough Melvin, Upper Lough Erne, Monawilkin, Fardrum and Roosky Turloughs, Moninea Bog, Cuilcagh mountain. Special Area of Preservation: Upper Lough Erne Areas of Special Scientific Interest: West Fermanagh Scarplands, Largalinny, Monawilkin, Boho, Cliffs of Mahgo, Glennasheevar, Braade, Galloon, Trannish, Crom, Belleisle, Fardrum and Roosky Turloughs, Moninea Bog, Cuilcagh, Drumlisaleen, Garvros, Tullysranadeega, Lough Melvin.

3. Initial Project AreaFrom Lough Melvin (Garrison) to Derrygonnelly (outer perimeter) is 11miles/17km

4. Geopark MapAreas which may be affected: Lough Navar Forest, Correl Glen Nature Reserve, Conagher, Big Dog, Ballintempo, Belmore Forest, Knockmore Scarplands

5. The West Fermanagh Scrarplands (SAC and ASSI) The Knockmore area supports a range of surface karst topography including some of the finest limestone pavement in Northern Ireland. Three major cave systems also occur. The upper slopes of the area are dominated by large expanses of intact blanket bog. The area includes a number of rivers and upland lakes. Springs and flushes also represent a notable feature of the area, especially "petrifying" springs, where calcium-rich water seeps to the surface along the base of limestone cliffs. West Fermanagh Scarplands contains one of the most extensive areas of blue moor-grass grassland in Northern Ireland. West Fermanagh Scarplands is one of two sites representing Molinia meadows in Northern Ireland. The woods are particularly rich in species that are scarce in Northern Ireland, including toothwort, bird's nest orchid, Welsh poppy, wood fescue, thin-spiked wood sedge and the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria.

6. Largalinny SAC and ASSI • The structure, plant community diversity and the rich flora collectively make Largalinny one of the most important old upland oak woodlands in Northern Ireland. • It supports a number of rare plant species including.serrated wintergreen and the oceanic Tunbridge filmy-fern are found here. • The geological interest of the site is centred on the silicified fossil fauna from the Glencar Limestone Formations at Carrick Lough,which are of international importance. • This area falls within the initial project area

7. Cliffs of Magho ASSI • The lower slopes are covered by one of the largest semi-natural woodlands in Northern Ireland; it is very diverse and contains the highest number of woodland species recorded at a single site. • Rare species within the wood include Welsh poppy, thin-spiked wood sedge and bird's-nest orchid. Wet heath and blanket bog, large mesotrophic lake with open waters, swamp and fen. • There are hundreds of cave entrances and 30+ km of explored cave passage. According to it's geodiversity profile, the cliffs are on unstable ground. • This area is either included or very close to initial project area.

8. Boho ASSI • This area of mixed woodland supports toothwort, wood fescue, bird's-nest orchid and thin-spiked wood sedge. • A population of Daubenton's bat is present in the caves. • Invertebrates include the troglobitic Collembolan Schaefferia emucronata and a large population of the common cave spider Meta menardi. • The only modern Irish record of the cave dwelling water beetle Agabus biguttatus is from Boho caves. • This area is included or very close to initial project area.

9. Glenasheevar ASSI area of intact oceanic blanket bog. Relatively rare species recorded for the blanket bog include oblong-leaved sundew and the hummock-forming bog moss Sphagnum fuscum. I In addition, because of the diversity and quality of the associated habitats present, a number of notable species of butterflies and moths have been recorded. Included or very close to initial project area.

10. Braade ASSI • Braade is a scarp cliff in the middle of Lough Navar Forest. The area is of special scientific interest because of its rare plants. The moss Orthodontium gracile has recently been recorded here at its only known Irish site. This rare plant of sandstone rocks has only been seen recently at nine sites in Britain. • In addition, Braade is the only known site in Northern Ireland for the arctic-alpine species, holly-fern. • Red grouse, curlew and golden plover are found in the plateau, and there is also a range of other Priority Species including bullfinch, skylark, song thrush, reed bunting and spotted flycat • Included or very close to initial project area.

11. Caves In total, Western Fermanagh contains approximately 52 square kilometres of karst landscape . There are hundreds of cave entrances and 30+ km of explored cave passage. The Knockmore area supports a range of surface karst topography including some of the finest limestone pavement in Northern Ireland. Three major cave systems also occur within the site, with over 14km of surveyed passage in total. Tullybrack Mountain The major underground karst features are developed on the eastern flank of Tullybrack Mountain and in the Boho valley. They comprise four major cave systems: Pollaraftra Cave, Noon's Hole - Arch Cave, the Reyfad System, and Boho Caves. Included in initial project area. What effects will hydraulic fracturing have on a cave system??? Contamination travels quickly within a karst area.

12. Caves • REYFAD-CARRICKBEG: One of the most important underground karst site in Northern Ireland. In a regional context, it contains the most extensive system of passages, has the greatest volume of passage and attains the greatest depth of passage from sink to the lowest explored point in the system. • NOON'S HOLE - ARCH CAVE This small area (3.5 km2) contains some of the best underground karst in Northern Ireland and are of national signicicence. The cave system has the deepest series of unbroken vertical shafts in Ireland, and includes a major active stream passage.

13. Caves • KNOCKMORE – POLLARAFTRA • Major cave system. The impressive cliffs of Knockmore Hill form an dramatic backdrop to the northern edge of the Tullybrack uplands. best example of a fault controlled cave in Northern Ireland. • BOHO • Boho is the only example of a joint controlled maze cave in Northern Ireland. With 1.5km of explored passage, it is the seventh longest cave system in NI. The site also contains karst rivers and waterfall, a limestone gorge and a river bed with a series of bank risings.

14. Monawilkin SAC & ASSI • Monawilkin is floristically the richest example of blue moor-grass Sesleria grassland in Northern Ireland. • Monawilkin is also important for butterflies, including the only known locality for small blues in Northern Ireland. • Included or very close to initial project area.

15. Lower Lough Erne • The lough has an international reputation in angling. Pollan, Northern Ireland’s only native species of whitefish, is found in Lower Lough Erne, which is one of only four locations on the island of Ireland. It is an important area for breeding birds. • Despite the quality of its water, the Lough is sensitive to eutrophication and is monitered by the Erne Nutrient Management Scheme. • Keenaghan Lough and Lough Scolban contain a higher proportion of nationally scarce and rare aquatic plants. This is an increasingly rare type of lake in Northern Ireland because the nutrient status of many is being increased . It also has the white-clawed crayfish.

16. Fardrum and Rooskey Turloughs SAC & ASSI • There are three Turloughs in this group, west of Lower Lough Erne, which are the only turloughs in Northern Ireland, and represent the most northerly occurrence of this habitat in Ireland and the UK. Green Lough supports the nationally rare fen violet Viola persicifolia. • The turloughs are also home to a number of rare water and ground beetles. These sites have contributed nine new beetle records for Fermanagh.

17. Upper Lough Erne SAC & SPA • is a SAC & SPA, which are strictly protected areas. This one of the largest areas of semi-natural woodland remaining in Northern Ireland. The area holds one of the strongest populations of otters in the UK. In addition the surrounding countryside is rich in relatively unpolluted rivers and lakes supporting the otter population within the site. • Upper Lough Erne - Trannish ASSI • Upper Lough Erne - Galloon ASSI The nationally rare Frogbit occurs frequently along with other plants which also have a restricted distribution nationally. Otters also frequent the area along with wintering wildfowl and breeding waders. • Upper Lough Erne - Crom ASSI :The area contains many vascular plants with a restricted distribution in the British lsles. In addition it is also notable for itsmammals, particularly bats, and the wide variety of habitat gives rise to a wide range of birdspecies. • Upper Lough Erne - Belleisle ASSI: The area contains many vascular plants with a restricted distribution in the British Isles. It is also important for otters and breeding waders.

18. Moninea Bog SAC & ASSI • Moninea Bog is one of the best remaining examples of an active raised bog.

19. Sillees Valley ASSI • Sillees Valley includes Ross, Coolyermer, Carran and Lankill Loughs. The Sillees and Screenagh Rivers have white-clawed crayfish populations. The Sillees River winds around between the hills through Carran and Ross Loughs to Upper Lough Erne. • Included or very close to initial project area.

20. Cuilcagh Mountain SAC & ASSI • contains the second largest expanse of intact blanket bog in Northern Ireland. • The summit also supports an area of Racomitrium heath, a scarce vegetation type in Northern Ireland.A number of rare and notable plants have been recorded for the area. Cuilcagh mountain is also the most important upland breeding site for golden plover in Northern Ireland. Peregrine falcon regularly breed along the cliff faces and merlin are also frequently seen.

21. Lough MacNean • This is an increasingly rare type of lake in Northern Ireland because the nutrient status of many is being increased through input of water from agricultural land that has had applications of fertilizers and slurry. • The white-clawed crayfish has been recorded from Upper Lough Macnean. Islands in the loughs are also important for breeding

22. Lough Melvin SAC & ASSI • The unpolluted waters supports important native fish populations. Arctic charr occurs here at its only remaining Northern Ireland site. The Artic Charr is included in the Irish Red Data species. • The Lough contains three distinct populations of brown trout and supports a unique salmonid fish community which dates back to the ice age. The rare Atlantic salmon is listed in Annex II of the EC Habitats and Species Directive.

23. Lough Melvin SAC & ASSI • Lough Melvin is one of two sites representing Molinia meadows in Northern Ireland. • Plants with a restricted distribution in the British isles include lesser meadow-rue, chaffweed, fragrant agrimony, upland enchanter's-nightshade, northern bedstraw, slender-leaved pondweed and water lobelia. • Blue-eyed-grass and globeflower are of particular note and occur on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

24. ASSI'S Lough Melvin Area • Drumlisaleen ASSI • Garvros ASSI • Tullysranadeega ASSI: The nationally rare melancholy thistle grows here.

25. Daubenton Bat • All bats are protected by the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC) or the Wildlife Act 1976. • Daubenton's Bat found in Boho Caves, sometimes known as the water bat. Population of approximately 50.

26. Agabus Biguttatus • The only modern Irish record of the cave dwelling water beetle Agabus biguttatus is from Boho caves

27. Butterfly Red List • The Small Blue, one of 6 Irish butterflies on the Ireland Butterfly Red List. • Monawilkin is the only known locality for small blues in Northern Ireland.

28. Irish Damselfly • The rare Irish Damselfly is listed as Vulnerable on the Red List of Irish dragonflies

29. Red Grouse • Red List – Birds of High conservation concern • ground nesting bird They are almost completely dependent on heather plants for food and shelter. • Conservation Status • • Red List - Birdwatch Ireland • • Require close monitoring - Red Data Book • • Protected by Wildlife Acts (1976 & 2000)

30. Peregrine Falcon • Conservation Status • Annex I Birds Directive • Annex III Bern Convention • Annex II Bonn Convention • Internationally Important - Red Data Book • • Protected by Wildlife Acts (1976 & 2000)

31. Curlew • The Curlew has been red-listed as a globally threatened species by the IUCN since 2007. • During the last Breeding Atlas, in 1988-1991, Donegal and Mayo still held good numbers of breeding Curlew and the Irish population as a whole was estimated at around 5,000 pairs. This spring, over 60 sites were revisited and, shockingly the results indicated that only six still held breeding pairs. • A total of just four pairs were recorded in Donegal and four in Mayo.

32. Golden Plover • is a rare breeding bird in Ireland, only nesting in the northwest counties of Ireland • Conservation Status • Red List - Birdwatch Ireland • Annex I - Birds Directive • Annex III - Bern Convention • Annex IV - Bonn Convention • Vulnerable - Red Data Book • Protected by Wildlife Acts (1976 & 2000)

33. All threatened species are protected by the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC) or the Wildlife Act 1976. Some of our most threatened species include

34. The Red Data List of Irish Plants. Serrated Wintergreen, Blue-eyed-grass, Marsh Helleborine, Bird's Nest Orchid and Tunbridge filmy-fern. The Globeflower is protected under the Flora Protection Order (1999). All of these protected plants are found in this area.

35. Protected Species Fish: Arctic Charr, Atlantic Salmon and Pollan.Found in Lough Melvin and Lough Erne

36. Sonya Oldham • andraiocht@hotmail.com • On behalf of • The People's Association Watchdog • Www.paw.ie