Rahasane turlough (582)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Rahasane turlough
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.2167, Longitude: -8.7833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 10 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 2.46133
Protected area coverage (%): 99.31
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Situated on the Dunkellin river, west of Craughwell in south-west Galway, this is the last large turlough (karst lake) remaining in Ireland. The site comprises marshes, seasonally flooded wet meadows, with limestone outcrops and scrub at its margins. In the summer the site is grazed by cattle and sheep.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: This is an important site for wintering waterfowl. Species wintering in nationally important numbers include Anser albifrons flavirostris (139 birds, 1995) and Anas penelope (5,570 birds, 1996).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (75%) | hunting (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Grassland | 75 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Drainage of the site has been a long-standing threat. However, its designation as a Special Protection Area and its status as a proposed candidate Special Area for Conservation (Rahasane Turlough; area not known) should reduce this threat. Disturbance to wintering birds is caused by wildfowling. There has been some clearance of limestone pavement next to the lake, with implications for water quality and disturbance to birds.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Only in the future |