Killeter Forest Bogs and Lakes ASSI

Killeter Forest Bogs and Lakes has been declared as an ASSI for its intact blanket bog and oligotrophic lakes which both support important plant and animal communities.

The site consists of a series of upland raised bog units on deeper peat within a more extensive blanket bog complex. The vegetation is characterised by Heather and Cross-leaved Heath with frequent Hare’s-tail Cottongrass and Bog Asphodel in the wetter runnels.

The bog surface also supports a dense cover of Sphagnum Bog-mosses, the main building blocks of the bog. As these decay, they lead to peat development over a long period of time.

The deep, open pools are colonised with aquatic Bog-mosses such as Cow-horn Bog-moss and Feathery Bog-moss with occasional Bladderworts and Bogbean present in some. The vegetation surrounding the pools is comprised of a luxuriant mat of Papillose Bog-moss, Red Bog-moss and the rare Golden Bog-moss.

White-beak Sedge is also associated with pool edges together with occasional Bog Sedge and Round-leaved Sundew.

Loughnaweelagh and Innaghachola Lough lie on the border with the Republic of Ireland, along the extreme north-west boundary of the ASSI. They are prime examples of high-altitude, low- nutrient, peat-stained lakes, characteristic of the western uplands of Northern Ireland.