The distribution and conservation of Eriophorum gracile Koch ex Roth (Cyperaceae), Slender Cotton-grass, in Ireland

• Main Authors: J. P. Conaghan, M. Sheehy Skeffington
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Protected plant species; Connemara; bog flush; scragh; E. gracile; Eriophorum gracile; Cotton-grass
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.666.660; http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/Wats27p229.pdf

Eriophorum gracile is a rare semi-aquatic plant which has a very local distribution throughout most of western Europe. The distribution and current conservation status of known Irish populations are presented in this paper. Floating rafts of vegetation which develop along the margins of lakes in the Connemara region of Co. Galway constitute the most important habitat for the species in Ireland. Small populations also occur in habitats such as flushed areas of lowland blanket bog, the lagg areas of raised bog and calcareous basin fen; however, populations in such habitats are generally small in size. The main threats to the existing populations of the species are site drainage and surface water eutrophication, which are primarily caused by farming-related activities on land in close proximity to sites. It is clear that the future survival of the species in Ireland will depend on the safeguarding of favourable hydrological and edaphic conditions.