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Richmond Esker

Coordinates: 53°31′55″N 8°37′01″W / 53.532°N 8.617°W / 53.532; -8.617
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Richmond Esker
Richmond Esker is located in Ireland
Richmond Esker
Richmond Esker
Location of Richmond Esker in Ireland
TypeNational
Locationnear Moylough, County Galway
Coordinates53°31′55″N 8°37′01″W / 53.532°N 8.617°W / 53.532; -8.617
Area39 acres (15.78 ha)
Operated byNational Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)
StatusOpen all year

Richmond Esker is a national nature reserve of approximately 39 acres (0.16 km2) located near Moylough, County Galway, Ireland. It is managed by the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service.

Features

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Richmond Esker was legally protected as a national nature reserve by the Irish government in 1985.[1]

Richmond Esker, with Timahoe Esker, is one of only a small number of esker ridges that remain in Ireland and that have native woodland. The site has been planted with conifers and other non-native species, but the NPWS have stated the goal of expanding the native woods through management.[2][3] A review of historical maps of the area concluded that there was a period around 1838 that the area was completely devoid of trees, and that the wood had been re-established by 1892. In 1951 Fagus sylvatica and Larix were planted on the site. Other species recorded on the reserve include Avenula pubescens, Luzula sylvatica, Poa nemoralis, and Mnium hornum.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "S.I. No. 380/1985 - Nature Reserve (Richmond Esker) Establishment Order, 1985". electronic Irish Statute Book. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Richmond Esker Nature Reserve". National Parks & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Walk on the Wild Side". People and Nature - The County Galway Biodiversity Project. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  4. ^ Cross, J. R. (1992). "The Distribution, Character and Conservation of Woodlands on Esker Ridges in Ireland". Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. Section B: Biological, Geological, and Chemical Science. 92B: 1–19. ISSN 0035-8983. Retrieved 29 August 2020.