Floodplains of the Boyne_ The Ramparts Canal Towpath

At this meander you can see the semi-natural floodplains of the River Boyne. Floodplains are important for biodiversity: they provide the ideal spot for water loving trees such as Alder and Willow to thrive. These in turn food and habitat for moth and butterfly larvae and other insects, and so they also provide food for insect-eating birds (like the Willow warbler).

Willows and Alder can cope with waterlogged soils and flooding: They help reduce flood risk by stabilizing the soils of our river banks with their roots and slowing down further water run-off from land. They are vital to the future of our healthy waterways as a way of lessening the negative effects of climate change.

The River Boyne and River Blackwater have two nature conservation designations: 1.) The River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Area of Conservation (or SAC for short) protects populations of Otter, and the two fish species Salmon and River Lamprey. It also aims to protect wet woodland habitats. 2.) The Rivers also form the River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Protection Area (or SPA for short) because this area is home to an internationally important population of Kingfisher.  Listen out for its call.

You can find out more about these conservation areas on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website at www.npws.ie.

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