Sheheree Bog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sheheree Bog |
|
|---|---|
| Location | County Kerry, Ireland |
| Area | 22 acres (0.089 km2) |
| Governing body | National Parks and Wildlife Service |
Sheheree Bog is a special natural area in County Kerry, Ireland. It is a type of wetland called a raised bog. This bog covers about 22 acres (0.089 km2) of land.
Sheheree Bog is very important for nature. It is officially protected by the Irish government. This means it is a safe place for plants and animals to live.
Contents
What is a Raised Bog?
A raised bog is a unique kind of wetland. It forms over thousands of years. Rainwater is its main source of water. This makes the bog grow upwards, forming a dome shape. This dome is higher than the land around it.
Sheheree Bog is the only raised bog in the Killarney area. It has a special natural drainage system. This system is called a lagg. A lagg is a wet area around the edge of the bog. It helps drain water from the bog. Laggs are quite rare in Ireland.
Why Sheheree Bog is Protected
Sheheree Bog became a national nature reserve in 1990. This means it is legally protected. The Irish government made this decision. It helps keep the bog safe for the future.
The bog is also a Special Area of Conservation. This is an even higher level of protection. It means the bog is important for nature across Europe.
Protecting Special Plants
One special plant found here is the slender cotton grass. This plant is protected by law. It is important to keep its home safe. Protecting the bog helps this plant survive.
Turf Cutting and Protection
In the past, people used to cut turf from bogs. Turf is dried peat, used as fuel. But cutting turf can harm the bog. To protect Sheheree Bog, turf cutting was stopped. This decision was made to help the bog heal. It allows the bog to grow back naturally.
The Health of the Bog
Experts say Sheheree Bog is "degraded." This means it has been damaged a bit over time. But the good news is that it can "regenerate." This means it can heal and grow back. With protection, it can become healthy again. Scientists study Sheheree Bog. They compare it to other bogs nearby. This helps them learn how to protect these special places.
