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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Eastern Mournes SAC

    Eastern Mournes SAC

    Topics:
    • Biodiversity, 
    • Protected areas
    Protected area type: Special Areas of Conservation
    Feature type: Habitat
    County: Down
    Council: Newry, Mourne and Down
    Guidance and literature: Eastern Mournes SAC

    The Eastern Mournes consists of a compact range of mountains forming the highest ground in Northern Ireland. They are situated in the south-east of the Province in County Down, just west of Newcastle. Within the Mountain range, 12 peaks extend to over 600m, with Slieve Donard rising to 852m. The area is important geologically representing the largest outcrop of Tertiary granites in the British Isles covering some 150 sq. km. The Eastern Mournes host three distinct granite types with associated mineralogies.

    The Eastern Mournes SAC has a unique combination of upland habitats and associated vegetation communities including the largest extent of European dry heaths in Northern Ireland. This is mostly of the Calluna/Erica cinerea type, but includes Ulex gallii/Erica cinerea dry heath on the lower slopes. The dominance of Erica cinerea is a notable feature of the area and characteristic of dry heath in the oceanic climate of more western parts of the UK. The area supports a number of other vegetation communities including wet heaths and blanket bog, montane heaths and grasslands on the highest summits and plant communities associated with the cliffs and scree.

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