Lough Naman Bog and Lake ASSI

Lough Naman Bog and Lake has been declared as an ASSI for its intact blanket bog and mid-altitude mesotrophic lake which both support important plant and animal communities.

Northern Ireland is particularly well suited to the formation of peat because the climate is cool and wet. However, most blanket bogs have been significantly damaged by turf-cutting, agricultural intensification and afforestation, leaving only 15% intact.

Lough Naman Bog is a classic example of an upland raised bog. The vegetation is characterised by Heather and Cross-leaved Heath with frequent Hare’s-tail Cottongrass and Bog Asphodel. The bog surface also supports a dense cover of Bog-mosses, the main building blocks of the bog leading to peat development over a long period of time.

Parts of the bog surface have well-developed pools and hummocks. The pools support Bogbean, with Bog Sedge and insectivorous Sundews around the pool edges.

Lough Naman is a mid-altitude lake surrounded by afforested peatland slopes and is one of the best examples of unpolluted lakes in Northern Ireland. Distinctive plants include Shoreweed, Quillwort and abundant Water Lobelia with submerged and floating species such as Common Water-moss, Small Pondweed and Translucent Stonewort. The lake also has important areas of fringing fen with Bottle Sedge, Common Reed and Common Club-rush.

Lough Naman Bog and Lake supports a number of rare and notable animals, particularly invertebrates, including the endangered Geyer’s Whorl Snail which is listed on Annex II of the EC Habitats Directive.

Blanket bogs support unique plants and animals that are irreplaceable. Similarly, all of the species that make Lough Naman so important depend on maintaining good water quality. It is therefore vitally important that the best remaining areas of bog and lakes are protected form adverse activities.