Lake and Turlough Habitats
Lake habitats comprise a range of specific protected waterbody types found in Ireland, including clear, mountain limestone and peatland lakes, all with unique assemblages of plants and wildlife adapted to different conditions. Turloughs are seasonal lakes, fed by groundwater in limestone areas and usually disappear in the summer. Ireland holds the majority of the world’s turloughs. Lake and turlough habitats are important for ducks, divers, geese and swans, collectively known as waterbirds. They form an important wetland habitat stretching across Ireland that provides vital winter refuges for our internationally important populations of wintering waterbirds. In summer, they provide important breeding habitat for many resident species. The waterbirds will use the different water depths found in lakes and turloughs, and feed on plants and insects that make up healthy habitats and the grassy areas around them.
