Loughaveely ASSI

Loughaveely is a small site in an extended basin. A number of fen communities occur to the west around the large pool forming a natural open wate transition, where the rare fen species bog-sedge and lesser tussock-sedge can be found locally abundant. The eastern part contains a complex of small pools formed by old peat cuttings.

The fen vegetation here is dominated by bogbean and bottle sedge, whilst small areas of more elevated cut-over bog remain. Pockets of wet grassland and scrub around the periphery add diversity to the site. The fen communities support several scarce plant species, including cowbane, the sedge and the mossCalliergon cordifolium.

Notable invertebrates include the water beetles Hydroporus scalesianus and Laccornis oblongus, which are confined to undisturbed, high quality fen.