Flora & Fauna of Cloncrow Bog
Cloncrow Bog is host to a variety of highly specialised plants which have adapted and evolved in this inhospitable, habitat. The bog surface can be viewed as a series of ecotopes where plants adapt to the current environmental conditions. At the drier edge of the bog the flora will be significantly different from that found in the middle or centre (Central Ecotope). Where the raised bog surface is drying, the dominate plant is Calluna Vulgaris or Heather. It will thrive in these areas and often excludes other bog plants. As one moves towards the centre, the bog surface becomes significantly wetter and will even Quake underfoot. The dominant plant here is Sphagnum Moss which is the building block of an Active Raised Bog. A host of other plants will colonsie where conditions suit their particular requirements. Each bog species has adopted survival techniques which enables it to adapt to its immediate environment.
Sphagnum Moss
Sphagnum moss will colonise the wetter parts of the bog where other plants cannot survive. Sphagnum derives most of its nutrients directly from rainwater and creates an acidic environment in its immediate environment.
The plant remains of sphagnum do not fully decompose as the microbes responsible for decomposition do not survive in this anaerobic environment. The remains of sphagnum accumulate as peat. One meter of Peat depth takes 1000 years to accumulate. At its greatest depth on Cloncrow we have measured 10 meters which represents 10,000 years of peat accumulation. The carbon contained in this peat mass is locked in and remains as long as the water table is close to the surface and Sphagnum Moss continues to grow.
Bog Cotton
Bog cotton is a familiar plant found on Cloncrow Bog. The fluffy cotton seed heads are instantly recognisable but on careful inspection you will notice two types of Bog cotton – multi headed and single headed.
The multiheaded species is found in the bog pools while the single headed has adapted to the drier parts of the bog. Air passes from the leaves of the plant above the water to canals in the root system of the multi headed type. The roots can be up to 60cm below the surface. This adaptation is referred to as Snorkling. Single headed Bog cotton grows in clumps in the drier parts. Bog Cotton is the food plant of the Red listed Large Heath butterfly. Its eggs are laid on the leaves of Bog cotton and the caterpillars feed on the leaves during the Summer. This endangered species is visible on Cloncrow during mid summer as the male patrols in search of a female. The leaves die back during the winter and all the nutrients are passed down to bulbs underground to regrow the following Spring.
Sun Dew
The sundew can go almost unnoticed but it is one of the most interesting plants on the bog surface. In the wetter area of the bog it can be abundant and support two or three species, but even at the fringes you will find it if you look carefully. It is a carnivorous plant which feeds on tiny insects which breed on the bog surface. The red tentacles secrete a sticky substance which attract midges and other tiny insects. Trapped in this sticky secretion the plant closes around the ensnared insect and dissolves its edible parts. It can consume up to 5 insects a month. A tiny white flower appears on the flowering stem in July and August. The plant withers in autumn but re-emerges the following spring.
Lichen
Lichen is very visible plant on cloncrow bog along the boardwalk. Its unusual snow-white appearance does attract our attention. In dry weather it is crunchy but after a rain shower it becomes soft and almost spongy. It doesn’t have a root system and is in fact an algae and a fungus which depend on each other. The algae provides food for the fungus and the fungus offers water to the algae. There are different species of Lichen on Cloncrow. The match stick species is most unusual with its red tipped top. Other species include cup shaped lichens, bearded lichens, and antler horn lichens.
Bog Asphodel
During the months of July and August the bog is ablaze with the bright yellow flower of bog asphodel. Perched on a long stalk it peppers the bog surface with colour. Earlier in spring it is one of the first plants to emerge as its green sword like leaves grow from the bog surface. After flowering the plant turns to a bright orange and is equally imposing. Nutrients for the plant are stored in bulbs in the root system and it is from here it rejuvenates itself. A unique plant with multiple flower heads on each plant. It avoids the very wet areas of the bog but can be found on the fringes of bog pools.
