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School of Architecture, Building and Environment

School of Architecture, Building and Environment

Studies on springs

Springs are important hydrological and ecological components in the landscape. Depending on the chemical composition of the water, they can be of high nature value and support rare species of flora and fauna. Ground water which is unpolluted and contains elevated concentrations of dissolved calcium carbonate can give rise to a highly specialised habitat type, with a distinctive floristic composition, known as ‘petrifying springs’.

Petrifying springs occur where lime-rich water issues from beneath the ground surface and, on contact with the atmosphere, deposits calcium carbonate in the form of tufa, a soft, porous rock. This habitat type is of small spatial extent and its significance and vulnerability are recognised by designation as the priority habitat ‘Petrifying Springs with Tufa Formation (Cratoneurion)’ under the European Union Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).

Ensuring the survival of remaining, intact examples of specialised habitats such as petrifying springs is essential in addressing biodiversity loss. Spring habitats are vulnerable to damage from a wide range of sources: nutrient enrichment and other pollutants, including nitrates, phosphates and sulphates; alterations to the pattern of water flow, due, for example, to water extraction or land drainage; inappropriate grazing levels, both under- and over-grazing; physical damage, such as deepening of drains; recreational activities; and the impact of non-native species (in particular, the inappropriate siting of tree plantations).

Studies on Springs - Palustriella commutato
Petrifying spring on the coast near Balbriggan, Co. Dublin (May 2013) with Palustriella commutata, a characteristic moss of this habitat type, forming large golden-green wefts.  Beneath these, tufa stalactites have formed as spring water trickles downwards on grass stems.

Studies on Springs - Saxifrage aizoides
Saxifraga aizoides (Yellow Saxifrage) and the metallic-red moss Orthothecium rufescens on the Benbulbin Range in Co. Leitrim (July 2013).  Both are very rare species of unpolluted, lime-rich springs in Ireland; Orthothecium rufescens is assessed as ‘Near Threatened’.

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