Database release:
SDF
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

IE0000111

1.3 Site name

Aran Island (Donegal) Cliffs SAC

1.4 First Compilation date

1997-03

1.5 Update date

2020-10

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:2002-01
Date site confirmed as SCI: No information provided
Date site designated as SAC:2017-12
National legal reference of SAC designation:613/2017

2. SITE LOCATION

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2.1 Site-centre location [decimal degrees]:

Longitude:-8.551226
Latitude:55.002210

2.2 Area [ha]

542.8078

2.3 Marine area [%]

79.6340

2.4 Sitelength [km] (optional):


No information provided

2.5 Administrative region code and name

NUTS level 2 code Region Name
IE01Border, Midland and Western

2.6 Biogeographical Region(s)

Atlantic (0.00 %)

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
1230  info      51.79  0.00  M  A  C  A  A 
4030  info      10.36  0.00  M  C  C  C  C 
4060  info      41.43  0.00  M  B  C  B  B 
8210  info      5.18  0.00  M  A  C  A  A 
8220  info      5.18  0.00  M  A  C  A  A 
8330  info      5.17  0.00  M  A  C  A  B 
  • 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.
BA103Falco peregrinus    p  1  1  p    G  C  A  C  C 
BA009Fulmarus glacialis    r  887  887  p    G  B  A  C  A 
BA183Larus fuscus    r  8  8  p    G  C  C  C  C 
BA017Phalacrocorax carbo    r  80  80  p    G  C  B  C  B 
BA346Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax    p  81  81  i    G  C  A  C  A 
BA188Rissa tridactyla    r  36  36  p    G  C  C  C  C 
  • 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
B  Cepphus grylle    1  1  p              X 
P  Dryopteris aemula                      X 
B  Larus argentatus    78  78  p              X 
B  Larus marinus    79  79  p              X 
B  Phalacrocorax aristotelis    55  55  p              X 
P  Saxifraga rosaceae ssp. hartii                X       
P  Saxifraga rosaceae ssp. hartii                  X     
  • 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
N0173.00
N0510.00
N061.00
N0810.00
N094.00
N221.00
N231.00

Total Habitat Cover

100

Other Site Characteristics

Aran Island is a large island, approx. 18 km sq, situated 2-3 km from the low-lying Donegal mainland. The site comprises the northern and western cliffs, and includes a fringe of heath and part of the sea below the cliffs. The cliffs, which rise to 150 m, are exposed, precipitous and continuous. They are well indented, with a predominantly north or west facing aspect. Partly immersed sea caves occur along the entire length of the cliffs at regular intervals. Numerous rocks and islets occur off the cliffs. The main landuse of the island is sheep grazing, which is causing some damage to the heath and dry grassland communities. The cliffs are composed of Ards quartzite, with some igneous intrusions.

4.2 Quality and importance

The site supports an excellent example of rocky cliff, sea cave and cliff associated chasmophytic vegetation habitats in a very exposed situation. The cliff vegetation shows good gradation into alpine heath of Arctostaphylos-Juniperus-Empetrum type. All these are of good quality. It is the only known site for Saxifraga rosacea ssp. hartii, a legally protected species. Important populations of Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax are found. The site also has Falco peregrinus and breeding seabirds, notably Fulmarus glacilis.

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]
MA04i
MA04o
LC01.01i
LC01.01o
LC01.03.01i
LC01.03.01o
LD01.01i
LD02.01i
ME01o
LF02.03o
LG01i
LG01o
Positive Impacts
RankActivities, management [code]Pollution (optional) [code]inside/outside [i|o|b]
MA04o
LC01.01o
LC01.03.01o
LD01.01i
ME01o
LF02.03o
LG01o
LG01i

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)

Berrow, S.D., Mackie, K.L., O'Sullivan, O., Shepherd, K.B., Mellon, C. & Coveney, J.A. (1993). The second international chough survey in Ireland, 1992. Irish Birds, 5: 1-10. Curtis, T.G.F. & McGough, H.N. (1988). The Irish Red Data Book 1. Vascular Plants. Stationery Office, Dublin. Hart, H.C. (1881). On the plants of (North) Aran Island, Co. Donegal. Journal of Botany, January 1881. LLoyd, C. (1982). Inventory of Seabird Breeding Colonies in Republic of Ireland. Unpublished report to the Forest & Wildlife Service, Dublin.NPWS (2010). Desk study of Submerged or partly submerged sea caves features along the Donegal coast. Unpublished report. Praeger, R.L. (1932). On the flora of Arranmore, Co. Donegal. Irish Naturalists' Journal IV. 50-54. Praeger, R.L. (1934). The Botanist in Ireland. Hodges Figgis & Co. Dublin. Webb, D.A. (1950). A revision of the saxifrages of north-western Europe. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy LIII. B: 33. Young, R. (1973). Report on Areas of Ecological and Geological Interest in County Donegal. Unpublished, An Foras Forbartha, Dublin.

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.IE0000111
Map delivered as PDF in electronic format (optional)
 Yes
X
 No

SITE DISPLAY