Silverbrook Wood

Also within

Tyrone County Sperrin Scenic Area

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Description

Silverbrook Wood oakwood The area is of special scientific interest for its woodland flora and fauna. Despite its moderate extent, Silverbrook Wood includes a number of woodland plant communities, ranging from strongly acidic to flushed and base-rich. As a result of this variation, the area has one of the richest woodland plant assemblages in Northern Ireland and supports a number of notable woodland plants and animals. Silverbrook Wood lies to the south of Dunnamanagh and extends along the Burn Dennet River and its tributary, the Lockagh Bum. The largest and most continuous woodland block occurs on the steep, north-facing valley slope. Both the management and local edaphic conditions are very variable. This variation influences the composition of the woodland, resulting in a very diverse woodland flora. Downy birch Betula pubescens and oak Quercus spp. generally dominate the canopy. Other tree species include ash Fraxinus excelsior which is found in more base-rich conditions, alder Alnus glutinosa which is characteristic of the wettest parts, and non-native beech Fagus sylvatica. The shrub layer consists of hazel Corylus avellana, which in the absence of mature trees, frequently forms a dense, low canopy. Other shrub species include holly Ilex aquifolium, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and in wetter conditions, willow Salix spp. Where present the field layer consists of a mixture of ferns, thickets of bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. and locally in the most acidic conditions, the dwarf-shrub bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus. The herb layer reflects the acidic nature of the wood and is dominated by great wood rush Luzula sylvatica, with bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta locally prominent in damper conditions. On more base-rich soils there is a notable increase in species richness. Additional species here include primrose Primula vulgaris, wood avens Geum urbanum, sanicle Sanicula europaea, lesser celandine Ranunculus ficaria and wood sedge Carex sylvatica. Wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, woodruff Galium odoratum, opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium and remote sedge Carex remota are characteristic of the very wettest parts. In addition to its overall species diversity, the woodland supports a number of rare woodland plants including bird cherry Prunus padus and wood fescue Festuca altissima. Silverbrook Wood also provides an important habitat for animals, including breeding birds and mammals. Mammals present include otter Lutra lutra, badger Meles meles, stoat Mustela erminea and red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris. https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/silverbrook-wood-assi

Species mentioned

Plant communities