Dead Island Bog ASSI

The area is of special scientific interest because of its physiographical features and peatland flora and associated fauna.

It is one of the best remaining examples of a lowland raised bog within the flood plain of the LowerBann. Turf cutting has been confined to the margins, leaving the majority of the bog intact.

Special features include a large, intact core of deep peat, which exhibits a wide range of characteristic vegetation and structural features. These include shallow pools and a well developed hummock and lawn complex. The bog surface is permanently wet and supports a dense and diverse cover of Sphagnumbog-mosses.

Typically the vegetation is characterised by ericoidd warf shrubs and other associated species. Over much of the bog plain, the vegetation is dominated by Heather Calluna vulgaris and Cross leaved Heath Ericate tralix with frequent associates including Hare's-tail Cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum, Common Cottongrass E.angustifolium, tussocks of Deergrass Trichophorum cespitosum and locally frequent Bog Myrtle MyricaI. These species are generally associated with Sphagnum capillifolium, which is the dominant hummock-forming moss on the bog. In addition, the notable moss Sphagnumim bricatum forms several small, low hummocks scattered over the surface.