Other Current Research Projects

The Conservation of Juniper formations in Ireland

Juniper is a coniferous shrub native to Ireland with an extensive but discontinuous distribution. Juniper belongs to the Cypress family, and has two subspecies native to Ireland: the common juniper, Juniperus communis ssp. communis; and the prostrate juniper, Juniperus communis ssp. nana

Juniper is found in a wide range of habitats but grows best in thin nutrient poor acid or alkaline soils, from sea level to high montane environments. Juniper is found throughout Ireland on varying geology and terrain: including chalk grassland, quarries, successional stages to woodland, limestone pavements and scars, acidophilous heath communities, exposed outcrops and exposed coastal environments.

Within Ireland Juniper is recorded from 108 10km squares. One of the main perceived threats to Juniper populations is the large proportion of old, senescent bushes and lack of recruitment from seed. Establishment of seedlings has been shown to be negatively affected by both grazing and climatic factors. Overgrazing may present a particular problem, particularly for those formations occurring in montane and rough pasture hillsides where effective fencing is problematic. Coastal populations tend to be out of the reach of many grazing animals but their persistence on cliff faces exposes them to windthrow and, consequently, many of these populations comprise limited numbers of stunted trees. These threats to seedling establishment are further exacerbated by low levels of seed viability coupled with limited dispersal.

A 3 year project was instigated in May 2008 with the following aims

To establish the distribution and extent of Juniper formations

To determine the condition and future prospects of all Juniper formations

To assess the conservation status of the habitat

To propose management recommendations to ensure favourable conservation status is achieved

To propose a monitoring prescription for this habitat type

Year 1 survey is currently taking place in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim.


Juniper Heath (Photo: C. O' Keeffe)	Juniper Berries (Photo: N. Kingston)

Further information can be obtained from Peter McEvoy p.m.mcevoy@qub.ac.uk

Scoping Study for Upland Vegetation and Habitat Mapping and Monitoring

A scoping study for a proposed national survey of upland and allied lowland habitats began in October 2008 and is due for completion September 2009. The study is reviewing a range of baseline vegetation survey and habitat monitoring methodologies and will undertake a pilot survey of Bricklieve Mountains SAC, Co. Sligo and Corraun Plateau SAC, Co Mayo to test and refine these for the national survey proposed to commence October 2009.

Croagh Patrick

Photo: Caitriona Douglas

Members of Research Branch can be contacted by e-mailing: natureconservation@environ.ie