Download Nature and Wildlife in Roscommon - The Heritage Council
Download Nature and Wildlife in Roscommon - The Heritage Council
Download Nature and Wildlife in Roscommon - The Heritage Council
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trees, WoodlaNds aNd hedGeroWs<br />
Irel<strong>and</strong> was once covered from coast to coast <strong>in</strong> woodl<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Woodl<strong>and</strong> cover started to decl<strong>in</strong>e once the first farmers<br />
arrived around 6000 years ago. Native woodl<strong>and</strong>s are<br />
relatively scarce <strong>in</strong> <strong>Roscommon</strong> today but there are a few<br />
prime examples. St. John’s Wood on the shore of Lough<br />
Ree is considered as one of the largest <strong>and</strong> most natural<br />
woodl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>in</strong> the midl<strong>and</strong>s. This species-rich oak-ash <strong>and</strong><br />
hazel woodl<strong>and</strong> conta<strong>in</strong>s a couple of plants of particular<br />
note: toothwort <strong>and</strong> bird’s nest orchid. Another special<br />
woodl<strong>and</strong> of high nature conservation value is Tawnytask<strong>in</strong><br />
Wood at Lough Key.<br />
28<br />
Wood anemone. Photo by John Earley
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