Database release:
NATURA 2000 - STANDARD DATA FORM

For Special Protection Areas (SPA),
Proposed Sites for Community Importance (pSCI),
Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and
for Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. SITE IDENTIFICATION

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1.1 Type

B

1.2 Site code

IE0002158

1.3 Site name

Kenmare River SAC

1.4 First Compilation date

2001-10

1.5 Update date

2018-09

1.6 Respondent:

Name/Organisation:National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Address:               
Email:datadelivery@chg.gov.ie

1.7 Site indication and designation / classification dates

Date site proposed as SCI:2001-10
Date site confirmed as SCI: No information provided
Date site designated as SAC: No information provided
National legal reference of SAC designation: No information provided

2. SITE LOCATION

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2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]:

Longitude:-10.054286
Latitude:51.719924

2.2 Area [ha]

43267.5000

2.3 Marine area [%]

94.3000

2.4 Sitelength [km] (optional):


No information provided

2.5 Administrative region code and name

NUTS level 2 code Region Name
IE02Southern and Eastern
IEZZExtra-Regio NUTS 2

2.6 Biogeographical Region(s)

Atlantic (0 %)

3. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

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3.1 Habitat types present on the site and assessment for them

Annex I Habitat types Site assessment
Code PF NP Cover [ha] Cave [number] Data quality A|B|C|D A|B|C
      RepresentativityRelative SurfaceConservationGlobal
1160      39322.3 
1170      9196.38 
1220      432.9 
1230      432.9 
1330      2.6521 
1410      17.8996 
2120      1.6667 
2130      20.4082 
4030      865.8 
5130      1.189 
6130      3.1 
8330      432.9 
  • PF: for the habitat types that can have a non-priority as well as a priority form (6210, 7130, 9430) enter "X" in the column PF to indicate the priority form.
  • NP: in case that a habitat type no longer exists in the site enter: x (optional)
  • Cover: decimal values can be entered
  • Caves: for habitat types 8310, 8330 (caves) enter the number of caves if estimated surface is not available.
  • Data quality: G = 'Good' (e.g. based on surveys); M = 'Moderate' (e.g. based on partial data with some extrapolation); P = 'Poor' (e.g. rough estimation)

3.2 Species referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC and listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC and site evaluation for them

Species Population in the site Site assessment
G Code Scientific Name S NP T Size Unit Cat. D.qual. A|B|C|D A|B|C
      MinMax  Pop.Con.Iso.Glo.
M1355Lutra lutra      DD 
M1365Phoca vitulina    391  391   
M1303Rhinolophus hipposideros    150  150   
M1303Rhinolophus hipposideros    90  90   
BA195Sterna albifrons     
BA194Sterna paradisaea    20  20   
I1014Vertigo angustior      DD 
  • Group: A = Amphibians, B = Birds, F = Fish, I = Invertebrates, M = Mammals, P = Plants, R = Reptiles
  • S: in case that the data on species are sensitive and therefore have to be blocked for any public access enter: yes
  • NP: in case that a species is no longer present in the site enter: x (optional)
  • Type: p = permanent, r = reproducing, c = concentration, w = wintering (for plant and non-migratory species use permanent)
  • Unit: i = individuals, p = pairs or other units according to the Standard list of population units and codes in accordance with Article 12 and 17 reporting (see reference portal)
  • Abundance categories (Cat.): C = common, R = rare, V = very rare, P = present - to fill if data are deficient (DD) or in addition to population size information
  • Data quality: G = 'Good' (e.g. based on surveys); M = 'Moderate' (e.g. based on partial data with some extrapolation); P = 'Poor' (e.g. rough estimation); VP = 'Very poor' (use this category only, if not even a rough estimation of the population size can be made, in this case the fields for population size can remain empty, but the field "Abundance categories" has to be filled in)

3.3 Other important species of flora and fauna (optional)

Species

Population in the site

Motivation

Group CODE Scientific Name S NP Size Unit Cat. Species Annex Other categories
     MinMax C|R|V|PIVVABCD
Acervochalina limbata                 
Aglaophenia kirchenpaueri                 
Amphiura securigera                 
Chelonaplysilla noevus                 
Clathria barleei                 
Dercitus bucklandi                 
Eunicella verrucosa                 
Gymnangium montagui                 
Hero formosa                 
Isozoanthus sulcatus                 
Lithothamnion corallioides                 
Lytocarpia myriophyllum                 
Naccaria wiggii                 
Neocrania anomala                 
Ophiopsila annulosa                 
Pachycerianthus multiplicatus                 
Paracentrotus lividus                 
Phakellia vermiculata                 
Pycnoclavella aurilucens                 
Pyura squamulosa                 
Simethis planifolia                 
Stachys officinalis                 
Swiftia pallida                 
Tamarisca tamarisca                 
Terebratulina retusa                 
Tritonia lineata                 
Virgularia mirabilis                 
Zostera marina                 
  • Group: A = Amphibians, B = Birds, F = Fish, Fu = Fungi, I = Invertebrates, L = Lichens, M = Mammals, P = Plants, R = Reptiles
  • CODE: for Birds, Annex IV and V species the code as provided in the reference portal should be used in addition to the scientific name
  • S: in case that the data on species are sensitive and therefore have to be blocked for any public access enter: yes
  • NP: in case that a species is no longer present in the site enter: x (optional)
  • Unit: i = individuals, p = pairs or other units according to the standard list of population units and codes in accordance with Article 12 and 17 reporting, (see reference portal)
  • Cat.: Abundance categories: C = common, R = rare, V = very rare, P = present
  • Motivation categories: IV, V: Annex Species (Habitats Directive), A: National Red List data; B: Endemics; C: International Conventions; D: other reasons

4. SITE DESCRIPTION

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4.1 General site character

Habitat class % Cover
N101.00
N161.00
N041.00
N0190.00
N071.00
N022.00
N031.00
N051.00
N082.00

Total Habitat Cover

100

Other Site Characteristics

Kenmare River is a long and narrow south-west facing bay situated in the south-west of Ireland. It is a deep, drowned glacial valley, approximately 12 km wide at the mouth and 55 km long. Dursey Island marks the south-west point. The bedrock is mainly Old Red Sandstone with Devonian - Carboniferous marine clastics on the south-west coast. It is deeply fissured in a NE/SW direction. The bedrock is emergent throughout the length of the bay. Exposure to prevailing winds and swells at the mouth diminishes toward the head of the bay. Numerous islands and inlets along the length of the bay provide further areas of additional shelter in which a variety of habitats and unusual communities occur. The coastal fringe is dominated by a mosaic of dry and wet heath, along with patches of blanket bog, coastal grassland and exposed rock. The heath is particularly well developed at Derrynane Bay, which supports a fine dune system. Also present are small areas of deciduous woodland and fresh-water marsh.

4.2 Quality and importance

Kenmare River has very high conservation interest, with very good quality examples of large shallow bays, reefs, and marine caves. It has a very wide range of communities from exposed coast to ultra sheltered areas, and there is an extremely high number (24) of rare and notable species. The sea fan Swiftia pallida is only known in Ireland from Kenmare River, where it is recorded in several circalittoral sites. Eunicella verrucosa, a widespread but locally distributed sea fan, is recorded at two sites in the lower circalittoral reef. At both sites, it occurs with Swiftia pallida, the only place where this association is known to occur. Important habitat forming species present are the seagrass, Zostera marina, and the coralline algae, Lithothamnion corallioides, which form biogenic reefs. Kenmare River is the only area where the brachiopod, Neocrania anomala, is commonly found and, unusually, it occurs in exposed areas. There are two good examples of vegetated shingle banks, and at least 6 separate salt meadows, with both Atlantic and Mediterranean types represented. Shifting marram dunes, fixed dunes and dry heath, the latter with the legally protected plant Simethis planifolia, are well represented, while a small though significant example of vegetated sea cliffs occurs in the Derrynane area. The site includes many areas of coastal dry heath. There is a long established population of the mollusc Vertigo angustior in the dunes at Derrynane. The site includes areas of Calaminarian grassland about Allihies. The site has internationally important summer and winter roosting sites for Rhinolophus hipposideros. It also supports important populations of Lutra lutra and Phoca vitulina. Sterna terns breed on the islands, mainly S. paradisaea but S. hirundo in some years and S. albifrons at least in 1995.

4.3 Threats, pressures and activities with impacts on the site

The most important impacts and activities with high effect on the site

Negative Impacts
RankThreats and pressures [code]Pollution (optional) [code]inside/outside [i|o|b]
HF02i
LA04.02.01i
LD01.01i
MA08o
LA04.03i
LI01i
ME01o
LA04.02i
LA08i
HF01i
LH03i
LG01.02i
LH01b
LJ01.01i
LG01.01i
Positive Impacts
RankActivities, management [code]Pollution (optional) [code]inside/outside [i|o|b]
LA04.02.01i

Rank: H = high, M = medium, L = low
Pollution: N = Nitrogen input, P = Phosphor/Phosphate input, A = Acid input/acidification,
T = toxic inorganic chemicals, O = toxic organic chemicals, X = Mixed pollutions
i = inside, o = outside, b = both

4.4 Ownership (optional)


No information provided

4.5 Documentation (optional)

Bleasdale, A. and Conaghan, J. (1998). A Baseline Vegetation Survey of Derrynane National Historic Park. Unpublished report to National Parks & Wildlife Service, Dublin. Curtis, T.G.F. (1991). A site inventory of the sandy coasts of Ireland. In Quigley, M.B. (ed.) A Guide to the Sand Dunes of Ireland. E.U.C.C., Dublin. Curtis, T.G.F. and Sheehy Skeffington, M.J. (1998). The salt marshes of Ireland: an inventory and account of their geographical variation. Biology and the Environment, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 98B: 87-104.de Grave, S. (1990). Sublittoral Survey on Selected Sites in Roaringwater Bay, Berehaven (Bantry Bay) and Kenmare River. BIMGoodwillie, R. (1976). A Preliminary Report on Areas of Scientific Interest in County Kerry. An Foras Forbartha, Dublin.Hannon, C., Berrow, S.D. and Newton S.F. (1997). The status and distribution of breeding Sandwich Sterna sandvicensis, Roseate S. dougallii, Common S. hirundo, Arctic S. paradisaea and Little Terns S. albifrons in Ireland in 1995. Irish Birds 6: 1-22.Kelleher, C. (1999). Lesser Horseshoe Bat Summer Roost Survey Cork/Kerry Region, Ireland 1999. Internal Report to The Vincent Wildlife Trust, unpublished.Lloyd, C. (1982). Inventory of Seabird Breeding Colonies in Republic of Ireland. Unpublished report to Forest and Wildlife Service, Dublin.Moore, D. and Wilson, F. (1999). National Shingle Beach Survey of Ireland 1999. Unpublished report to National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin.Moorkens, E.A. (1997). An Inventory of Mollusca in Potential SAC Sites, with Special Reference to Vertigo angustior, V. moulinsiana and V. geyeri. Unpublished report to National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin. O'Sullivan, P. (1994). Bats in Ireland. Irish Naturalists' Journal Special Zoological Supplement, 21pp. Picton, B.E. (1985). Anthozoans (Coelenterata: Anthozoa) new to Ireland and new records of some rarely recorded species. The Irish Naturalists' Journal 21: 484 - 488Praeger, R.L. (1888). Marine shells from the Kenmare River. The Irish Naturalist 8: 164Praeger, R.L. (1934). The Botanist in Ireland. Hodges, Figgis & Co, Dublin.Whilde, A. (1985). The All Ireland Tern Survey 1984. Unpublished report for the Irish Wildbird Conservancy, Dublin. Wyse Jackson, P.S. (1983). Comments on the status and ecology of Simethis planifolia (L.) Gren. in Co.Kerry. Bulletin of the Irish Biogeographical Society 8: 13-18. Cronin, M., Duck, C., Ó Cadhla, O., Nairn, R., Strong, D. and O'Keeffe, C. (2004). Harbour seal population assessment in the Republic of Ireland: August 2003. Irish Wildlife Manuals No. 11. National Parks & Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government., 7 Ely Place, Dublin 2, Ireland. 34 pp.Cronin, M., Duck, C., Ó Cadhla, O., Nairn, R., Strong, D. and O'Keeffe, C. (2007). An assessment of harbour seal population size and distribution in the Republic of Ireland during the 2003 moult season. J. Zool. Lond. 273 Issue 2: 131-139Cronin, M.A. (2007). The abundance, habitat use and haul-out behaviour of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) in southwest Ireland. PhD thesis, University College Cork, 263 pp.Cronin, M.A., Kavanagh, A. and Rogan, E. (2008). The foraging ecology of the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) in Ireland. Report to the Marine Institute. Project ST/05/12. 145pp.Harrington, R. (1990). 1989 survey of breeding herds of common seal Phoca vitulina with reference to previous surveys. Report to the National Parks & Wildlife Service. 10pp.Heardman, C., O'Donnell, D. and McMahon, D. (2006). The status of the harbour seal Phoca vitulina L. in inner Bantry Bay Co. Cork and inner Kenmare River, Co. Kerry, 1964-2004. Irish Naturalists Journal 28(5): 181-191.Lyons, D.O. (2004). Summary of National Parks & Wildlife Service surveys for common (harbour) seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), 1978 to 2003. Irish Wildlife Manuals No. 13. National Parks & Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, 7 Ely Place, Dublin 2, Ireland. 67pp.Summers, C.F., Warner, P.J., Nairn, R.G.W., Curry, M.G. & Flynn, J. (1980). An assessment of the status of thecommon seal Phoca vitulina vitulina in Ireland. Biol. Conserv. 17: 115-123.Warner, P.J. (1983). An assessment of the breeding populations of common seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina L.) in the Republic of Ireland during 1979. Ir. Nat. J. 21: 24-26.Warner, P.J. (1984). Report on the census of common seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) in the Repubic of Ireland during 1984. Unpublished report to the Forestry & Wildlife Service.

5. SITE PROTECTION STATUS

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6. SITE MANAGEMENT

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6.1 Body(ies) responsible for the site management:


No information provided

6.2 Management Plan(s):

An actual management plan does exist:

Yes
No, but in preparation
X
No

6.3 Conservation measures (optional)


No information provided

 

7. MAP OF THE SITE

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INSPIRE ID:IE.NPWS.PS.NATURA2000.SAC.IE0002158

SITE DISPLAY