COP26 Case Study: Keeran Moss, Carrickfergus

Keeran Moss, Cairn Road, Carrickfergus Awakening Natural Potential It may only be 12 Hectares, but Keeran Moss’s potential is great. When facing the evergrowing biodiversity and climate crises, every little piece of habitat restoration helps recreate vital ecosystem balance. Through taking justified conservation actions now, and establishing appropriate long-term site management, then it will be possible to; -

Realise the existing and embrace the potential of Keeran Moss’s environmental worth Increase biodiversity and store carbon now and in the future Promote this site as an inspiration to others

The peatland extent at Keeran Moss (Courtesy NIEA Mapviewer) Keeran Moss sits as an island of peatland surrounded by improved and semi-improved grassland. Thanks to funding from DAERA, MEABC and RSPB intend to work in partnership to restore the site and ensure species and habitats on site will benefit from appropriate land management, as well as ensuring the site acts as a carbon store.

HABITATS Keeran Moss has not had any land management for a considerable period, but within this small area are a wide variety of habitats. In the southern section, cut over deep peat has within it mature wet woodland and large ponds overgrown with grass. The central and northern areas are heathland, sphagnum mosses buried under extensive soft rush and large tussocks of purple moor grass. Scattered conifers and a large clump of gorse (known locally as whins) provide predator perches and fox hideaways. The western section has a huge diversity of wetland plants including orchids.

WHAT WILL BE DONE? 

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Through creating ponds in the cut over peat area these open water areas will increase freshwater wildlife such as damselfly and dragonfly.

The remaining intact peat islands are fully covered in heather and sphagnum and will be left to continue their vital carbon sequestration.

Mowing the rank vegetation, grass tussocks and soft rush, along with removing the conifers and whins, will benefit snipe and other breeding waders on site.

Maintaining the wet woodland will continue to provide nesting sites and cover for visiting chiffchaffs and willow warblers, along with insects, fungi and lichens.

The wet meadow area is self-managing and, through ensuring soft rush does not start invading, will ensure the orchids and specialist wetland plants thrive Native hedgerow around the boundary of the site will be repaired and restored Natural Capital Baseline study completed and shared with stakeholders

THE FUTURE Being created as a purely habitat and species site Keeran Moss will provide MEABC with a treasured nature reserve to inspire neighbouring landowners and organisations to take on similar works. Restoration will increase biodiversity and free the ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration through peat and trees, and storing water to be reinvigorated. Once site works are completed in March 2022 it is hoped Keeran Moss will emerge as site of best practice and provide a model for others to follow.