3.4.1 Conservation scores
Conservation scores were calculated for all sites, based on a combination of characteristics such as grassland habitats present, non-grassland habitats adjacent, occurrence and quality of Annex I grassland habitats, and number and quality of plant species (see Table 6 in Methods). A high score indicates a site that is of excellent conservation value. Table 13 shows the top 21 sites by Conservation score, that is, those that received a score of more than 50%. The highest Conservation score was 70.5%, calculated for site 2404 Aughinish, Limerick, in the Mid-West region. Figure 13 shows the distribution of Conservation scores for each region, and overall. The overall distribution is skewed towards the lower end of the scale, with the majority of sites – 75% – having a Conservation score of between 0 and 20%.
Table 13: Top 21 sites by Conservation score surveyed during the ISGS 2007-2012.
Site no. Site name County NHA/pNHA SAC % score Rank
2704 Aughinish Limerick 000435 002165 70.5 1 109 Moystown Demesne and
Bullock Island Offaly 000216, 002104 000216 65.3 =2 818 Lugnafaughery Leitrim 002435 000623 65.3 =2 811 Larganavaddoge Leitrim 000623 000623 62.1 4 1300 Glenasmole Valley Dublin 001209 001209 58.9 5
850 Letterfine Leitrim 57.9 =6
2701 Barrigone Limerick 000432 000432 57.9 =6
825 Ballynaboll Leitrim 56.8 =8
1248 Rossnowlagh Lower Donegal 000138 000138 56.8 =8 808 Keeloges Leitrim 001403 001403 55.8 10 1067 Manragh Upper Cavan 54.7 =11 2012 Creaghduff Westmeath 000440 000440 54.7 =11 712 Coolberrin Monaghan 53.7 =11 1250 St. John's Point Donegal 000191 000191 52.6 =14 1502 Edenbaum Sligo 002435 52.6 =14 1541 Cloonmacduff Sligo 001898 001898 52.6 =14 807 Aghadunvane Leitrim 001403 001403 51.6 =17 813 Aghalateeve Leitrim 000623, 001919 000623, 001919 51.6 =17 1004 Moneen Cavan 002032 50.5 =19 1249 Drumhome Donegal 000138 000138 50.5 =19 2329 Killure More Galway 000254 50.5 =19
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For all regions, the highest frequency of Conservation score was in the 0-20% interval class. Analysis using a finer resolution of interval class revealed that the South-East, South-West and Mid-East & Dublin regions all had the highest frequency of Conservation scores in the 10.1-20% interval class, with the other four regions having highest frequency in the 20.1-30% interval class. Overall, only 1% of sites achieved a Conservation score of more than 50%, and only the Border, Midland and Mid-West regions had sites that achieved a Conservation score above 60%.
Within a county or region, calculating the median Conservation score gives an indication of the conservation value of sites within the group: a higher median Conservation score generally indicates a greater proportion of sites having a high conservation value. The county with the highest median Conservation score was Sligo (median score = 34.2%; n = 52), followed by Leitrim (median score = 30.5%; n = 77) and Limerick (median score = 28.4%; n = 15). The lowest ranked county was Wicklow (median score = 13.2%; n = 6), followed by Waterford (median score = 15.8%; n = 58) and Cork and Wexford (both with a median score of 16.8%; n = 192 and n = 7 respectively).
Ranking regions in the same way, the Mid-West region was ranked highest (median score = 26.8%; n = 90), followed by the Border and West regions (both with a median score of 25.3%; n = 350 and n = 257 respectively). The lowest ranked region was the South-East (median score = 16.8%; n = 87).
3.4.2 Threat scores
Threat scores were calculated based on parameters such as presence of negative species that can indicate agricultural intensification, proximity of disturbed or agricultural habitats, and damaging activities recorded on site (see Table 5), with a high score indicating more threats to grassland habitats from these sources. Table 14 shows the top 35 sites by Threat score, those that received a score of more than 60%. The highest Threat score was 84.6%, calculated for site 1512 Portinch, Sligo, which received high scores for damaging activities, agricultural improvements and negative species. Three sites, however, had a calculated Threat score of 0%: two sites in Waterford, 326 Barnankile and 360 Curraheen, and one site in Kerry, 2402 Maghanveel.
Figure 14 shows the distribution of Threat scores plotted against interval classes for each region, and overall. The distribution of the Threat scores is more normal (i.e., less skewed) than that of the Conservation scores. The interval class with the highest frequency in every region is the 20.1-40% class: 63% of all sites had a Threat score within this interval class.
Calculating the median Threat score within a county or region gives an indication of the degree to which sites within the group suffer from threats: a higher median Threat score generally indicates that a group has more sites with higher Threat scores. When counties were ranked by median Threat score, six counties were jointly ranked on top with the highest median score of 38.5%: Cavan (n = 66), Leitrim (n = 77), Limerick (n = 15), Longford (n = 49), Monaghan (n = 47) and Sligo (n = 52). Five counties were also ranked together with the lowest median score of 23.1%: Clare (n = 63), Dublin (n = 26), Galway (n = 91), Louth (n = 5) and Offaly (n = 41).
If regions were ranked in the same way, the Border region received the highest ranking (median score = 38.5%; n = 350), and the Mid-East & Dublin was ranked lowest (median score = 23.1%; n = 68). Therefore, Border sites are at greater risk from such practices as agricultural improvements and damaging activities. As the Border region also has a high proportion of sites of good conservation value, this is cause for concern.
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Table 14: Top 35 sites by Threat score surveyed during the ISGS 2007-2012.
Site no. Site name County NHA/pNHA SAC % score Rank
1512 Portinch Sligo 000636 000636 84.6 1 835 Corcusconny Leitrim 001976 001976 76.9 2 1001 Killyvally Cavan 000007 000007 69.2 =3 1018 Cashelbane Cavan 69.2 =3 891 Attimanus Leitrim 69.2 =3 732 Tusker Monaghan 001605 69.2 =3 737 Boughill Monaghan 69.2 =3 758 Killycooly Monaghan 000558 69.2 =3 2113 Ballymoon Esker Carlow 000797 61.5 =9 1008 Moneensauran Cavan 000584 000584 61.5 =9 1067 Manragh Upper Cavan 61.5 =9
566 Reenaknock Cork 61.5 =9
1134 Breaghy Head Donegal 61.5 =9 1232 Cloghboy Donegal 000190 000190 61.5 =9 1248 Rossnowlagh Lower Donegal 000138 000138 61.5 =9 1306 Kilmashogue Dublin 61.5 =9 2600 Ballyprior Laois 002256 61.5 =9 828 Carrickleitrim Leitrim 001976 61.5 =9 829 Munakill Leitrim 61.5 =9 857 Annaghoney Leitrim 61.5 =9 2706 Court Limerick 61.5 =9 2710 Ballynort Limerick 61.5 =9 917 Agharra Longford 61.5 =9 942 Carrickmoyragh Longford 61.5 =9 954 Lissagernal Longford 001818 001818 61.5 =9 1846 Derrintogher Mayo 61.5 =9 709 Glencorick Monaghan 61.5 =9 718 Ardginny Monaghan 001782 61.5 =9 733 Drumgoose Monaghan 61.5 =9 757 Drumfurrer Monaghan 61.5 =9 73 Silver River Offaly 61.5 =9 220 Crunaun Bridge Roscommon 61.5 =9 1511 Tawnatruffan Sligo 61.5 =9 1523 Annagh Beg Sligo 001898 61.5 =9 1549 Curry (Sligo) Sligo 002298 61.5 =9
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