Observations on the ecology of large herbivores in the
Burren National Park, with particular reference to the
feral goat (Capra hircus).
Report of a study visit 17th to 21st July, 1995
D.J. Bullock, The National Trust, 33 Sheep St., Cirencester, Glos. GL7 1QW, UK.
G. O’Donovan, Dept. of Plant Science, University College Cork, Ireland.
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Background
The karst landscape of the Burren, north-west Clare in the Republic of Ireland is well known for its
unique flora and fauna. Cattle rearing is the predominant agricultural activity; suckler cows in calf are
wintered on the higher limestone plateaux and pavements, to be brought down to lusher pastures in the
spring. The winterage system has been in operation for centuries (Haughton 1953) and cattle have been
the predominant livestock species for millennia. A study of nutrient turnover in these hills has shown
that swards are productive over the autumn and winter period (O’Donovan 1987), and this, combined
with the mild climate, partly explains why animals are over-wintered here. In addition to cattle, the
Burren holds a large number of feral goats, the population being estimated in the low thousands
(National Parks wardens pers. comm.). Feral goats remain on the Burren limestone all year, using a
variety of terrestrial habitats depending on season and were, until recently, only sympatric with cattle
between September and March.
The Burren National Park (BNP) was officially designated in 1992. Between 1988 and 1994, the
number of feral goats increased dramatically within the park (C. McGuire unpublished). The cause of
the increase is unknown but several factors such as a relaxation of culling by local farmers, an increase
in immigration (including escapees and releases of domestic stock) and favourable weather (especially
during January/February when most kids are born and fat reserves in adults would be expected to be
low) may have been responsible. In June 1994, the National Parks personnel responded to the
population increase by culling 212 of the estimated 280 goats in the BNP (C. McGuire pers. comm.). A
major influence on the decision to cull was the increased impact of the goats on the remaining tall
scrub within the Park. In addition to the browsing and bark-stripping of established trees, the goats
were believed to be reducing regeneration by browsing seedlings and saplings. Prior to the cull, the
National Parks Dept. sought advice on feral goat management from, amongst others, DJB. It was
suggested that management of the BNP would be well served by obtaining more information on the
impact of the goat, cattle and other herbivores such as the hare (Lepus timidus), small mammals and
invertebrates.
The aim of this project was to make a start on gathering this information and to visit similar sites in the
UK where goats were being used positively for conservation management. To achieve this, reciprocal
visits were organised by the authors to the Burren and several National Trust properties where feral
goats, feral sheep and rare breeds of livestock have been turned out on species-rich calcareous
grassland in order to combat invasion by scrub.
To more fully understand the role of goats within the BNP, discussions were held at the Park’s
headquarters to access what information was currently available, and what data needed to be collected.
Particular emphasis was placed on appraisal in the field of four monitoring plots (three of which were
enclosures) which have been established in the BNP since 1980. These activities form the basis of this
report and preliminary results are presented.
The objectives of the Burren visit were:
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1. To assess the past and present impact of goats and cattle in four key habitat types in the Burren
landscape (following Moles & Travers 1981): i.e. tall scrub with trees; low scrub; limestone
pavement with clints/rubble, and limestone grassland.
2. To critically appraise the monitoring plots as indicators of the impact of goats and cattle.
3. To discuss with the National Parks Dept. the significance of goats and cattle as a management tool
for conservation in the BNP and the Burren as a whole.
Approach
Between the 17th and 21st July 1995, fieldwork was concentrated in the BNP, where the authors were
joined by National Parks Ranger C. McGuire and UCC postgraduate student D. Byrne, who is studying
the comparative nutritional ecology of goats and cattle there. We examined many of the existing
exclosures (the three large ones, five of the ten small ones), and two of the five woodland monitoring
plots. At the site of each we assessed which herbivore species were being excluded (e.g. cattle, goats,
hares), habitat suitability for cattle and goats, and subjectively compared vegetation inside and outside
in terms of plant species composition, structural diversity and the likely differences in invertebrate
populations. In addition we made observations on the size and composition of goat groups both outside
and inside the BNP.
Results
1. Livestock in the Burren
1.1 The goat
1.1.1
Cultural and biological significance
Very little research has been conducted on any aspect of the goat, especially the feral goat, in Ireland
and much that has been written is either anecdotal or in unpublished reports of restricted availability
(J.S. Fairley in litt,; Whilde 1984; Whitehead 1972). It is therefore appropriate to review the existing
information as it relates to Burren. Bonham and Fairley (1984) described preliminary results of an
ecological study of the feral and free-ranging goats on Mullach Mor in the BNP. This is the only
published study of feral goats in Ireland that the authors are aware of. A review of the feral goat in
northern Europe is in preparation by one of us (DJB) in which this information will be incorporated.
The goat, together with the sheep, is poorly represented in faunal remains at archaeological sites in the
Burren. For example, in the 9th century cliff at fort Cahercommaun, only one per cent of domestic
animal bones were either sheep or goat (in D’Arcy and Hayward 1992). However, it seems likely that
the latter has been an important component of the economy of the Burren since first brought there by
Neolithic peoples. Not only does it provide milk products, and kid meat (kid meat is still traditional at
Easter) but also a way of preventing scrub encroachment into pastures. All these uses of the goat
appear to be current in the Burren. Indeed the feral goat is recognised in Ireland as an Endangered Rare
Breed for which a headage payment can, theoretically, be claimed (DAFF 1992).
1.1.2
Population ecology
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In northern Europe, the Burren is unique in holding a large population of feral and free-ranging goats,
the distinction between which is often difficult to determine. Most of the goats we observed were in
four mixed sex groups each containing at least 40 individuals, and large groups appear to be frequent
in the Burren (C. McGuire pers. comm.). In south-west Scotland, the mean size of mixed sex groups in
summer/autumn is considerably lower at between 20 and 25 (Bullock 1982). Amongst ungulates,
group size tends to be larger in open compared with closed landscapes (Geist 1974), and although the
hills of south-west Scotland would appear to be as open as the Burren karst, they are steeper and more
topographically diverse. The flight distance (the distance at which an animal prepares to flee) of the
Burren goats on pavement is long (c. 500m in one observation). It is much shorter for feral goats
(irrespective of hunting pressure) in the southern Scottish hills where they have access to cliffs or
broken ground (DJB pers. observ.). These observations, plus an indication that the adult sex ratio is
close to unity (it is markedly skewed to females in all other populations studied in Britain and Ireland
(Bullock 1991)), suggest that the population ecology of the Burren goats may differ from that of most
other northern European populations. It would merit further management-orientated study.
1.2 Cattle
Approximately 50,000 head of cattle are wintered in the Burren pavement and hills (D’Arcy
unpublished 1995). Winterage has been assumed to reflect the long growing season, and the need to
conserve the keep in the low-lying areas. However, a third component may be water. In winter when
turloughs are flooded, and water is available on higher ground, cattle are moved uphill. In summer,
water is not freely available in the uplands and cattle, which need to drink on a daily basis, may be
unsuitable there. In contrast, in northern Europe, the feral goat rarely needs to drink and is well suited
to environments with low water availability. In the Burren, as elsewhere, cattle are predominantly
grazers (i.e. their diet consists mainly of grasses, rushes and sedges – D. Byrne unpub. observ.). The
grazing by cattle on carboniferous limestone grasslands in the Yorkshire Dales in late summer and
autumn is considered to be an important management tool for the maintenance of plant species
richness (DJB pers observ.). It seems likely that cattle grazing is similarly important in the
maintenance of the rich ground flora in the Burren. Sheep grazing of calcareous grasslands (especially
in summer) may reduce nature conservation interests, and it is perhaps fortuitous that cattle rather than
sheep have been the predominant livestock species in the Burren.
In recent years, the number of cattle using the Burren has increased with concomitant increases in
poaching and overgrazing (D’Arcy unpub. report 1995). A rogue herd was observed on the uplands
during this visit. Summer grazing on the uplands could reduce the floristic diversity considerably,
especially if at high stocking density and early in the season. Changes in cattle numbers in relation to
the quality of the limestone grasslands has not, to our knowledge, been investigated. There is an urgent
need to instigate such monitoring.
2. Exclosures and monitoring plots
2.1 Bonham/National Parks exclosures.
In April 1980, F. Bonham, a postgraduate student under the auspices of the National Parks Dept.,
established two exclosures on the eastern slopes of Mullach Mor. Both consisted of metal posts
supporting stock fencing c. 2.0m high which totally excludes all cattle and all but the most determined
of goats, but neither hares nor small mammals.
2.1.1. Upper Exclosure
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This is situated beneath a scar, part in woodland (Tall scrub with trees) and part extending out into
limestone grassland (sward) on relatively deep soil (>100mm). The exclosure runs in an east-west and
north-south direction for c. 30m and c. 12m respectively (Bates 1988). The control area is believed to
have been the equivalent area immediately to the south but this needs to be confirmed. This exclosure
is an area frequently used by cattle for shelter and feeding in the winter, and is thought to be used to
some extent by goats all year round.
There were clear differences between the inside and outside of this exclosure in both the tall scrub with
trees and sward areas. In the former, where exclosed, the shaded ground layer vegetation was
dominated by plant species indicative of long established woodland such as sanicle (Sanicula
europaea), enchanter’s nightshade (Circaea lutetiana), wood melick (Melica uniflora), twayblade
(Listera ovata), ramsons (Allium ursinum) and wood false brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum).
Bryophytes were abundant, and there were possibly more molluscs here than in the control area. A
small oval stone enclosure found within the wooded part of the exclosure harboured nettle (Urtica
dioica). This indicates high nutrient enrichment from dunging, and the enclosure may have been
originally located in grassland into which woodland has since encroached. Outside the exclosure, the
ground layer in the wooded area contained much less sanicle, enchanters’s nightshade and wood false
brome than inside, and more valerian (Valeriana officinalis), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and other
more nutrient and light demanding species.
There were strong differences between the sizes and numbers of hazel (Corylus avellana) stems inside
and outside the exclosure. Inside, there was a greater amount of dead and dying wood, and medium to
small stems. Outside, large girth old stems and small stems predominated producing a more strongly
bimodal distribution of girths than within although this would need to be formally measured. It seems
likely that the majority of small stems outside the exclosure will be bark-stripped and browsed this
winter. Examination of the stools revealed how annual growth is frequently browsed back every year.
In the grassland part of the exclosure, blue moor grass (Sesleria albicans) was rank and apparently
overtopping low growing species such as mountain avens (Dryas octopetala). Bramble (Rubus
fruticosus agg.) was only present within the exclosure mostly at the woodland-grassland interface.
Hazel bushes in the grassland part of the exclosure were wider and taller than those outside but showed
dead leaders. This phenomenon is believed to be due to exposure/windcheck and clearly indicates that
large herbivores are only one factor influencing the distribution and abundance of hazel in the BNP.
2.1.2. Lower Exclosure
This runs in a north-south and east-west direction for c. 33m and 20m respectively (Bates 1988) on
sloping limestone pavement. There are clearly three strata with low scrub featuring in the middle and
lower pavement parts. The control area is believed to be immediately to the north although this needs
confirmation. This exclosure is in an area used predominantly by goats. Cattle frequent the upper
terraces occasionally in winter; goats use the area the year round. Although not measured, it is clear
that the area around the Lower Exclosure offers significantly less shelter than the Upper Exclosure.
Within the exclosure, hazel bushes were of measurably greater width, height and density, but had a
greater number of dead leaders that had been checked by either the wind or low water availability. The
implication is that even in the absence of browsing by stock, hazel bushes on the upper scars and
terraces of Mullach Mor and other hills on the karst are unlikely to develop beyond low scrub.
In terms of the ground layer vegetation, there appeared to have been a greater density and cover of
blue moor grass and a greater number of flowering and fruiting plants within the exclosure than in the
presumed control outside. For example, a substantial proportion of flowering spikes of helleborines
(Epipactis helleborine and, to a lesser extent, E. atrorubens) had been eaten off by livestock (not
hares) outside the exclosure compared to the inside. Goats have been observed to eat helleborine
5
spikes elsewhere (Smith & Bullock 1993) and given the terrain and time of year, are most likely to
have eaten the ones we observed. Removal of flowering and fruiting stems by grazing and browsing,
combined with the apparent reduction in structural diversity could reduce invertebrate species
diversity, and both factors may mean that the exclosures will act as a source of propagules for the
adjacent grazed areas.
2.1.3 General observations on the Bonham/National Parks exclosures
A combination of their age, sound construction and location means that the value of these exclosures
increases over time. Every effort must be made to maintain them into the long term as a demonstration
of the karst landscape in the absence of two livestock species with a major impact on vegetation.
However, it is difficult to detect quantitative changes due to a lack of livestock because monitoring
methods used since they were erected have apparently been inconsistent with the original one.
Close examination of Bonham’s unpublished report (a copy of which is lodged with the BNP
Superintendent’s Office in Corofin) revealed (for the first time since it was written?) detailed results of
recording vegetation within and outside each of the exclosures. We are still attempting to decode some
of the data, and it will probably be necessary to contact Bonham directly in order to do this with
accuracy. Since 1980, two students (Bates, 1988 and D’Auria, date and title unknown) have monitored
the plots. We have not as yet seen the latter. The former appears to use sampling methods that differ
from those used by Bonham, and whilst of value in its own right, may have limited use in detecting
change. We recommend that the vegetation is now measured using Bonham’s original method as a
baseline to permit direct comparison, and that the measurements are expanded to include more details
of the woody plant species (for example, height, girth, density, proportion of dead:live material and
fruiting success). In addition, we suggest that the following should be compared; saproxylic (deadwood inhabiting) invertebrates and fungi, lichens, bryophytes, spiders, ground beetles and selected
Diptera.
At present it is only possible to infer the separate impact of goats and cattle by assuming that the
Lower Exclosure is on terrain that the latter rarely uses. There is an urgent need to extend the present
exclosures to include a comparable one which, by virtue of a lower (less than 1.0m) stock fence, is
accessible to goats but not cattle. It is only through this experimental approach and associated studies
(such as dietary and distributional overlap) that the nature of the interactions between goats, cattle and
vegetation can be understood sufficiently for them to be used as a management tool. We therefore
suggest that the number of Bonham/National Parks style exclosures is increased to include at least two
other habitats: Tall scrub with trees in the woodland north-west of Loch Gealain, and limestone
pavement.
A final series of comparisons that we would suggest as useful relate to nutrient cycling. Decomposition
rates and tissue turnover could be compared but a most interesting and illuminating study would be of
the biota of solution cups in the presence and absence of dung. These areas are the subject of a
research project by D. Byrne. However, we propose that this study is taken into the long term in order
to understand more fully how large herbivores influence the establishment of plant communities on
bare limestone rock. This would complement recent studies by R. Moles on the dynamics of vegetation
patches on limestone pavement (Section 2.2).
2.2. Moles/National Parks Exclosure
This is situated in a grassy hollow on limestone pavement north of Loch Gealain. It is triangular (c.
10m by c. 10m by c. 10m) and bounded by a stock fence c. 1.0m high that excludes cattle. It was
established in 1989. A few goat (but no hare) droppings were found in the exclosure; this observation
and examination of woody plant species indicated a low browsing pressure outside the growing
season.
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The relatively low elevation and sheltered location is probably responsible for the tallness of the hazel
bushes relative to those on more exposed adjacent pavement. Within the exclosure, hazel appeared to
be taller, denser and more freely fruiting than immediately outside. Several species appeared to have
more luxuriant growth within the exclosure including spindle (Euonomys europaeus), holly (Ilex
aquifolia) and heather (Calluna vulgaris). Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), whilst obviously browsed
within the exclosure, was heavily browsed immediately outside indicating its high palatability
compared with hazel. Within the ground layer of the exclosure, there was possibly more blue moor
grass, hardhead (Centaurea nigra) and ladies bedstraw (Galium verum) and the sward seemed denser.
In this exclosure it was difficult to separate out the sheltering effect of the hollow from the effects of
large herbivores, particularly because goats do sometimes gain access. A pressing need, therefore, is to
make the exclosure goat proof by increasing the height of the fence to the same as that of the
Bonham/National Parks exclosures. This would allow a more confident comparison of the effects of
large herbivores on soil loss and vegetation dynamics than is possible at present.
2.3. The National Parks Yew exclosures
Situated mostly on low limestone pavement on the southern and eastern slopes of Mullach Mor, ten
cages 1.0m x 1.0m x 0.7m were erected around heavily browsed yew (Taxus baccata) bushes in 1994.
Their growth is being measured compared to uncaged bushes in the vicinity using fixed point
photography. The objective is to establish mature yew trees on limestone pavement. Growth of caged
individuals has been spectacularly greater than that of the controls. Whilst some this is due to a
relaxation of browsing pressure, it seems likely that the cages are instrumental in creating a more
sheltered and humid microclimate than immediately outside.
We would suggest that whilst these exclosures have been useful in establishing the impact of browsing
(and exposure?) on yew, this approach is rather piecemeal and lacks a clear rationale. A broader
objective is needed for this project. If restoration of pavement woodland is the overall objective then a
different prescription is needed. Larger exclosures to allow yew and a range of other woody plant
species to develop (including spindle, purging and alder buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus and
Frangula alnus) may be judged of higher nature conservation significance. We note that according to
D’Arcy and Hayward (1992) farmers selectively removed yew from limestone pavement in the Burren
so that their cattle would not browse it and be poisoned. If control of yew is still practised by farmers,
and we accept that winter cattle grazing is essential to maintain the nature conservation interests of the
BNP, promotion of yew trees on pavement may be undesirable in the long term.
2.4 Monitoring plots in the Lough Gealain woodland
Five 10.0m by 10.0m plots were established in this wood from 1991 onwards by C. McGuire (National
Parks). The aim was to monitor tree performance in relation to bark-stripping. Two of these were
visited in the present project. All the plots are in mature woodland where shade has a major influence
on the ground layer vegetation.
Our impression is that the work involved in marking and recording the performance of all the trees in
each plot can only be justified if the objectives are broadened. The plots represent what appears to be
the only opportunity in the Burren to record the dynamics of mature woodland. Initial tag marks on
trees have been unsatisfactory. We recommend that all the repeated measurements need to match that
of possible changes to the woodland and so should be in intervals of five years or more. It is essential
that retagging the trees is accompanied by fixed point photography and accurate coordinates for
locating the plots. In addition, the history of grazing the wood over the last century needs to be
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researched. It will be very difficult to interpret the results of monitoring without knowledge of the past
and present grazing regimes.
Two examples will illustrate this need:
1. There was an abundance of tree seedlings in places beneath a shady canopy of hazel. We identified
rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), hawthorn, guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), spindle and possibly elm
(Ulmus) seedlings. Hazel dominates the canopy and before reaching sapling size, these seedlings
are shaded out and/or browsed in winter. The former is more likely as there was no evidence of
repeated browsing of the same plants.
2. Cursory examination of hazel stools within the wood revealed a clear bimodal distribution in the
girths of stems. We estimated that the large, thick stems were in excess of 40 years old. The
smaller girth stems were mostly less than 10 years old. It is these stems that had been recently
barkstripped by goats. There were very few middle aged stems. There are three possible
explanations for this distribution. First, barkstripping and browsing pressure by goats and cattle
was sufficiently high for much of the last century for no stems to mature. Second, small stems are
continually shaded out and killed by the canopy when they reach a certain girth. Third, hazel stems
were harvested until fairly recently.
Without access to detailed measurements of the age of the trees, data on the grazing regime and uses to
which hazel was put by farmers over the last century, we cannot start to understand the dynamics of
this woodland sufficiently such that clear objectives of management can be set. Since our visit we have
received information on the history of use of the wood (C. McGuire in litt.) which corroborates the
first and third explanations for the strongly bimodal distribution of girths of hazel stems. McGuire
spoke to several local people and reported the following: ‘At the turn of the century, much hazel was
harvested as scollops/rods for thatching, in fact many people saved their fare to America from this
work. In the 1950 (s), the timber in the wood was cut and taken to a saw mill that was set up in the
area. Heavy grazing by cattle occurred prior to 1960, but since this time it has remained more or less
constant’.
2.5 Other monitoring plots
Bates (1988) describes the establishment of 16 permanent quadrats in the BNP, in which the vegetation
was measured in that year. We were not aware of these quadrats during our visit. Provided that they
can be refound and measured using Bates’s method, their value in detecting vegetation change in
relation to changes in cattle and goat numbers would be high.
Summary
1. The cultural significance and past environmental impact of the goat in the Burren must be
considered in any current management plan. More information is needed on the historical and
present day uses of the goat in the local economy. The Burren is unique in northern Europe in
holding an exceptionally large population of goats, with frequent interchange between feral and
domestic stock. This provides an unusual opportunity to study the biology (including the genetics)
of a livestock species as it adopts a wild or domestic existence.
2. Winter grazing by cattle in the Burren uplands (winterage, some of which is in the booleying
system) is probably very important in the maintenance of high plant species richness. Recent
increases in cattle numbers and changes in the grazing regimes are likely to be detrimental to the
8
ground layer flora. The adverse impact of cattle on the flora of the Burren may be much greater
than that of the feral goat.
3. Four sets of exclosures/monitoring plots in the BNP were examined in July 1995. The two
Bonham/National Parks exclosures are very much the oldest. They were designed to show the
impact of cattle and goats and their value as demonstration sites increases annually. However, their
potential for improving our understanding of the role of large herbivores in the conservation of the
Burren has not been fully realised. The exclosures should be monitored using methods originally
described by Bonham, and the exclosures should be extended to include goat-only treatments and a
greater number of vegetation types.
The Moles/National Parks exclosure was erected to investigate patch dynamics and the effects of large
herbivores on pavement vegetation. It is cattle proof and acts as a partial deterrent to goats. This has
allowed an insight into the browsing preferences of the latter, but will not allow a valid comparison of
vegetation dynamics in the presence and absence of large herbivores. It would, therefore, be
appropriate to make this exclosure goat proof.
The ten cages erected on pavement to protect yews are useful as demonstrations of the impact of
goats/cattle and exposure on performance of individual trees, but we would suggest this project lacks a
clear objective in that partial, highly selective, restoration of woodland on pavement is being achieved.
The five plots within the Lough Gealain woodland, set up to monitor the impact of large herbivores on
individual trees, will increase in value annually provided that the trees are properly tagged, and the
scope of measurements broadened. Similarly, the 16 permanent quadrats established by Bates in 1988
(which we did not see) could provide useful data on vegetation change in relation to grazing pressure
over the last decade.
Finally, we suggest that for management of the feral goats (and cattle) in the BNP, it would be
appropriate to prepare a management plan. This could, ultimately, be integrated into a larger one for
the Burren as a whole.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the British Council/An Forbairt in Dublin for a grant to support this study, and The
National Trust (UK) for permitting DJB to visit Ireland. C. McGuire, Park Ranger Burren BNP, and D.
Byrne kindly made time to show us some of their respective projects within the BNP and contributed
to many stimulating discussions.
References
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