Vegetation (Floating River Vegetation) - Office of Public Works

2.3.4 Site integrity of the Lower River Shannon SAC survey square.
Improved grasslands were the dominant habitat type of the Mulkear River banks. In urban
areas amenity grassland (GA2) was the primary improved grassland habitat with improved
agriculture grassland (GA1) more prevalent in rural areas. Riparian woodland (WN5) was the
dominant woodland habitat along the rivers surveyed.
The River Maigue at this point is the lower part of the river as it flows into the Shannon
estuary. As the lower reach of the river is influenced by the tide the river is a tidal river (CW1)
rather than a freshwater upland eroding watercourse (FW1) or lowland depositing watercourse
(FW2). The presence of reed and large sedge swamps (FS1) on the river margin is typical of tidal
river habitat in this square.
A variety of habitats were observed on the riverbanks in the River Feale Square. The built
environment (BL3), scrub (WS1) and hedgerows (WL1) were the dominant habitat types. Conifer
plantations were evident in upland areas (WD4) while earth banks (BL2) were associated with a
lowland river. Earth banks are this case is most likely the result of previous river maintenance
works rather than the traditional earth banks used as field boundaries found in Co. Kerry.
2.3.5 Site integrity of the Bandon River SAC survey square.
Wet willow-alder-ash woodland (WN6) and wet pedunculate-oak-ash woodland (WN4) are
the two habitat woodland types used to describe a section of woodland heading south along the
Bandon River. Oak was not observed from the survey point within the wood but the woodland floor
flora and tree diversity was similar to that described as wet pedunculate-oak-ash woodland.
Alternatively, ash was a dominant tree species the habitat may be classified as wet-willow-alder-ash
woodland. For the purpose of this study the habitat type is woodland with characteristics belonging
to more than one woodland grouping. The two woodland types are used to describe the habitat.
2.4 Identify other linked environmentally sensitive aspects.
Described in this section are observations of an environmental nature that have an impact on
floating river vegetation. Issues discussed will include invasive terrestrial plant species
Rhododendron, Japanese Knotweed, Indian Balsam and Giant hogweed. Problematic species
associated with aquatic environments include Parrot’s feather milfoil (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
and algae. The ability of cattle to walk into rivers and streams also needs to be mentioned.
At least one invasive / alien plant species was observed in each River square surveyed with
all four species recorded in the River Feale square. The presence of Japanese knotweed colonising
large stretches of riverbanks was especially worrying. Currently, the plant poses a threat to the
ecological diversity to both aquatic and terrestrial systems and should the plant go unchecked, all
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