Changes in Land–use Practices at Two Turloughs, on the East Burren Limestones, Co. Galway, with Reference to Nature Conservation

Two turloughs on the east Burren limestones in County Galway were the subject of a study of current and recent management practices. Farmers with animals on each turlough were interviewed about stock type, stocking density, time of stocking and fertiliser application. Cattle were and still are the d...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inBiology and environment : proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Vol. 103; no. 3; pp. 169 - 176
Main Authors Ní Bhriain, B, M Gormally, M Sheehy Skeffington
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published The Royal Irish Academy 2003
Subjects
cattle
conservation areas
farmers
fertilizer application
grazing
land use change
stocking rate
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Two turloughs on the east Burren limestones in County Galway were the subject of a study of current and recent management practices. Farmers with animals on each turlough were interviewed about stock type, stocking density, time of stocking and fertiliser application. Cattle were and still are the dominant stock, but average densities have increased by over 60% over 40 years. One turlough (Caherglassaun) has a history of fertiliser use, and stocking levels are more intense. There was no standard grazing time or stocking density for either turlough. Farmers often operated quite different regimes for the same turlough. The maximum length of any regime was almost seven months, the period without flooding. These results are discussed in relation to the designation of many turloughs as Candidate Special Areas of Conservation (CSACs). Flexibility in devising management plans for the turloughs is recommended.
Bibliography:http://dx.doi.org/10.3318%2FBIOE.2003.103.3.169
ISSN:0791-7945