Colour Leaflet of Brackagh Bog ASSI

ASSI A
BRACKAGH BOG
Brackagh Bog is special because of its
diverse wetland flora and associated
fauna. It lies in a small tributary valley
of the River Bann just 3km southeast
of Portadown.
Formerly a lowland raised bog,
most of the acid raised peat has
been removed by past turf cutting
leaving the more base-rich fen peats
below. The mosaic of habitats and
associated communities at Brackagh
Bog is largely dependent upon the
depth of the former peat cutting and
an adequate supply of unpolluted
water. The area consists of an intricate
network of peat ramparts, pools,
damp hollows and drains interspersed
with pockets of wet woodland. The
degree to which these cuttings
have been colonised by wetland
plants over time determines the
vegetation communities present.
Ongoing management ensures that
areas of open water and vegetation
communities are maintained.
Where open-water occurs, floating
vegetation includes a number of
Duckweeds including the scarce Fat
Duckweed and Greater Duckweed,
Brackagh Bog ASSI
Flower of the
Lesser
Bladderwort
SPECIAL PLACE...
along with
stands of BroadleavedPondweed.
Beneath
the surface of
the water, BluntleavedPondweed
and the
insectivorous
Bladderworts
are found.
Around the edge of the pools, Water
Horsetail and Bottle Sedge swamp
occur. Over time, the partial decay of
this vegetation slowly builds up and
begins to infill the cuttings and pools;
the result is the loss of open water and
the development of a firmer surface
supporting fen communities. These
successional changes result in the
colonisation of fen species such as
Bottle Sedge, Bogbean and Marsh
Cinquefoil over a carpet of Bog-
mosses. Over time, a dense floating
mat of more diverse fen species forms
to include species such as Marsh
Pennywort, Water Mint, Gypsywort,
Water Forget-me-not, Marsh Speedwell
and White Sedge.
sites o f b i o l o g i c a l a n d ear th
s c i e n ce i m p o r t a n c e h ave been
sur veyed by n o r t h e r n i re l a n d
environment a g e n c y to assess
t h e i r scientific interest. t h e best
sites are n o w b e i n g declared as
areas o f special scientific interest
(assis). in d o i n g so w e aim to
s a fe g u a rd t h e s e i m p o r t a n t sites
fo r t h e benefit o f present a n d
f u t u re g e n e rat i o n s.
In some areas, the fen vegetation is
influenced by more base-rich groundwater.
These communities support a
number of notable species such
as Greater Spearwort, Flowering-rush,
Fine-leaved Water-dropwort, Floating
Club-rush, Cowbane and Lesser
Bogbean
Greater Spearwort
Tussock-sedge
over a brownmoss
carpet
including
Giant Spearmoss.
In the more
nutrient rich
parts of
Brackagh Bog,
the fen
vegetation
is taller,
dominated by
stands of Reed
Canary-grass,
and Bulrush
with species
such as Purpleloosestrife,

Yellow Loosestrife, Marsh
Willowherb, Common Marsh-bedstraw
and Wild Angelica. In drier areas,
Meadowsweet, Yellow Iris and
occasional Devil’s-bit Scabious,
Common Knapweed and Carnation
Sedge occur.
Tall fen with Purple-loosestrife
Between the cuttings, the drier ramparts
support vegetation communities
associated with deeper peat deposits
including remnant bog vegetation
with Common Cottongrass, Heather
and Bog Asphodel.
A range of wet woodland communities
have developed into an intricate
mosaic with the fen at Brackagh Bog.
Some areas of wet woodland,
particularly around the periphery of
the bog are permanently flooded.
Willow with occasional Alder form the
canopy with extensive stretches of
open water and exposed mud below.
Duckweed is widespread on the
surface of the water. Occasional
mature Alder have died due to the
high water levels, providing valuable
standing dead wood habitat for
invertebrate species.
Other wet woodland communities
have a partially open canopy and
support a rich understorey of tall
herbs and sedges dominated by
Remote Sedge and Marsh Cinquefoil.
Associated species include Common
Sedge, Bogbean, Water Horsetail,
Yellow Iris, Wild Angelica, Purpleloosestrife
and Branched Bur-reed.
More notable species, remnant of
the open fen communities include
Royal Fern, Common Meadow-rue
and Cowbane.
Where wet woodland has developed
on more acidic areas of fen, the
ground flora is dominated by tussocks
of Purple Moor-grass. Open water
remains a large component of these
wet woodlands where Downy Birch
frequently occurs alongside the
dominant Willow.
Brackagh Bog is of national
importance for its invertebrate
communities supported by the wide
range of wetland habitats. Of
primary importance is the diverse
moth fauna with over 150 species
recorded, including 15 species of
note. Of particular importance is the
Red-tipped Clearwing, a Northern
Ireland priority species which has a
well established colony at Brackagh
Bog. Other notable moths include the
Valerian Pug, Figure of Eight, Satyr Pug
and Lunar Hornet Moth.
Red-tipped Clearwing
Flooded wet woodland
Beetles are also of significant interest
with 14 notable carabid and water
beetle species recorded at Brackagh
Bog. The range of pool types has also
resulted in a diverse dragonfly and
damselfly assemblage with 13
species recorded since 2000. Typical
fen species include the Hairy Dragonfly,
Ruddy
Darter,
Common
Hawker,
Four-spotted
Chaser
as well as a
range of
damselflies,
including
the Large
Red
Damselfly.
Large Red Damselfly
All of the habitats and species that
make Brackagh Bog such a special
place depend upon the ASSI being
kept in good condition. We therefore
need to protect it from certain
activities which have been identified
as potentially damaging to the site.
The Northern Ireland Environment
Agency is keen to work closely with
all landowners/occupiers to maintain
and enhance Brackagh Bog ASSI.