species rich dry grassland present on the site and the presence of some locally notable plant species. Lislea ASSI The area is of special scientific interest because of its geology, which is expressed in outcrop at Lislea. Loughaveely ASSI Loughaveeley is a small site in an extended basin. A number of fen communities occur to the west around the large pool, the eastern part contains a complex of small pools and pockets of wet grassland and scrub around the periphery add diversity to the site. Lurgan Lough ASSI The wetlands associated with Lurgan Lough form a series of irregular basins within gently undulating land, separated by gently rising ground which is only a few metres above the level of the basins. These low ridges still retain vegetation over most of their area and thus link the basins as an ecological unit with a total area of 16.20 hectares. Mourne Coast ASSI The Mourne Coast area is of special scientific interest because of its coastal flora, fauna and geology. Important habitats include Sabellaria alveolata reef, intertidal rock, coastal vegetated shingle and maritime cliff and slope. The area is also important for breeding seabirds and higher plants. Mullaghbane ASSI The area is of special scientific interest because of its geology, which is expressed in outcrop at several discrete localities. Rostrevor Wood ASSI Rostrevor Wood is a mature Oak Woodland known to be at least 250 years old and may be a remnant of the original forest which once covered the region. Samuel’s Port ASSI Samuel’s Port is a special place because of its earth science interest and the species biodiversity of the intertidal rock communities. This site is important because it is the best occurrence of a Tertiary age, igneous dyke with variable magma composition in the Mourne area.
species rich dry grassland present on the site and the presence of some locally notable plant species. Lislea ASSI The area is of special scientific interest because of its geology, which is expressed in outcrop at Lislea. Loughaveely ASSI Loughaveeley is a small site in an extended basin. A number of fen communities occur to the west around the large pool, the eastern part contains a complex of small pools and pockets of wet grassland and scrub around the periphery add diversity to the site. Lurgan Lough ASSI The wetlands associated with Lurgan Lough form a series of irregular basins within gently undulating land, separated by gently rising ground which is only a few metres above the level of the basins. These low ridges still retain vegetation over most of their area and thus link the basins as an ecological unit with a total area of 16.20 hectares. Mourne Coast ASSI The Mourne Coast area is of special scientific interest because of its coastal flora, fauna and geology. Important habitats include Sabellaria alveolata reef, intertidal rock, coastal vegetated shingle and maritime cliff and slope. The area is also important for breeding seabirds and higher plants. Mullaghbane ASSI The area is of special scientific interest because of its geology, which is expressed in outcrop at several discrete localities. Rostrevor Wood ASSI Rostrevor Wood is a mature Oak Woodland known to be at least 250 years old and may be a remnant of the original forest which once covered the region. Samuel’s Port ASSI Samuel’s Port is a special place because of its earth science interest and the species biodiversity of the intertidal rock communities. This site is important because it is the best occurrence of a Tertiary age, igneous dyke with variable magma composition in the Mourne area.