Freshwater
With the hills often shrouded in clouds, it is not surprising that they have a wide range of freshwater habitats. These vary from bog pools and damp ‘flow bogs’ at the summits, to small mountain streams.
Read moreWithin the Belfast Hills there are different types of habitats. A habitat is an area that provides food, water, shelter and space for living organisms.
Heathland & Bogs
Like most of Northern Ireland’s mountains, the highest parts of the Belfast Hills are topped by a mosaic of upland heath and blanket bog. The thin peat and acid soils support plants which specialize in surviving in these difficult habitats.
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Grassland
In the Belfast Hills there are important pockets of ‘unimproved’ grassland which provide a habitat for wildlife to flourish.
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Woodland & Hedges
The Belfast Hills contain a range of woodland habitats, reminders of when Belfast would have been surrounded by forests.
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Quarries & Cliffs
Also known as Inland Rock, quarries and cliffs contain exposed rock surfaces which are almost devoid of vegetation. The Belfast Hills are rich in limestone and basalt with numerous quarries but few natural cliff faces.
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