Ballynagross Lower ASSI

Ballynagross Lower ASSI is a shallow sided valley in undulating enclosure landscape of improved pasture fields. The majority of this site comprises more or less monodominant stands of tall common reed, reed canary grass and yellow iris. In the south-western part of the site are several fen communities, all of which are grazed to some extent.

Most of these short vegetation-types are fairly typical of peat-based fens in this area. These communities grade through rush pasture margins, some species-rich, with orchids, to the adjacent improved pasture. The site is one of the few supporting Schoenus nigricans and Carex lasiocarpa. Other notable species include, lesser tussuck sedge, large yellow sedge, blunt flowered rush and the mossCalliergon giganteum. This was found to be a species-rich site across all groups, though not supporting many rare species.