Lough Alaban ASSI

Lough Alaban has been declared an ASSI because of the fen habitat and invertebrate species that the site supports.

The lough is dominated by floating-leaved aquatic plants such as Broad-leaved Pondweed and Yellow Water-lily. The margins of the lough support an extensive floating raft of acid fen, comprised of a carpet of Bog-mosses with sedges and herbs such as Bottle Sedge, Bog-sedge, Bogbean and Great Sundew. This is interspersed by areas of open water with Bog Pondweed and Bog-moss, with the notable Intermediate Bladderwort.

Gradually, as the peat soils build up, there is a transition from fen to blanket bog. This blanket bog supports a number of important species and is fundamental in maintaining the water quality within the lough. It is dominated by Hare’s-tail Cottongrass, Northern Deergrass and Heather with herbs such as Bog Asphodel over a carpet of Bog-mosses. Further diversity is provided by a series of flushes running through the blanket bog which are dominated by sedges including Dioecious Sedge and herbs such as Common Butterwort.

Lough Alban supports thirteen of the nineteen species of dragonflies and damselflies currently considered to be resident in Northern Ireland. Of particular note is the presence of the Irish Damselfly; a species which is not found in Great Britain. Irish Damselfly populations in Ireland have undergone a decline over the past few decades. The presence of floating-leaved aquatic plants, such as those found at Lough Alaban, is an important attribute of sites favoured by this species.