The cupola surface has retained a high water table despite the attempt to drain it. This high and relatively stable water table has facilitated a rapid recovery of the bog vegetation. The quadrats recorded show that total vegetation cover of the surface varies between 75% (wet areas) and 25% (in the driest areas). Most parts have a vegetation cover of around 50%.

The plants recorded were those typically found on an intact bog, there was a good balance between the species typical of wet aeas such as the Sphagnum sp. And Narthecium ossifragum and those associated with dry areas such as Calluna vulgaris.

Sphagnum species were found to be recovering well with development spreading from fragments left behind after the surface vegetation was removed. The occasional larger hummock was found which had escaped removal. These appear to be acting as centres for the on-going recovery process. In total, 7 species of Sphagnum were recorded on the cupola including the principal hummock building species Sphagnum papillosum, S, magellanicum and S. subnitens.

A total 20 species were recorded on the cupola. These included most of the constant and companion species recorded for raised bogs in Northern Ireland by Leach and Corbett (1987) and also in Britain in the National Vegetation Classification (Rodwell, 1991).

Molinea caerulea was present in only one quadrat. This is a highly invasive species which comes to dominate areas with low or highly fluctuating water tables (Schouwenaars, 1988). Its near absence and the high cover of Eriophorum species recorded indicates the continuation of stable wet conditions which are needed for ombrotrophic bog vegetation development.

These areas were cut-over by hand for domestic fuel under turbary arrangements, as was common throughout Ireland during the last few hundred years (Van Eck, 1984). They are now little used and have been allowed to revert to a semi-natural vegetation cover. Vegetation regeneration of this type has been documented in Ireland by White (1930) among others and it is currently being researched by the author at the University of Ulster at Coleraine.

In recent years some areas have been re-worked by extrusion ‘sausage machines. These areas are small relative to the area of the whole site, and overall disturbance by extrusion machine cutting can be said to be minimal. A range of different vegetation types in various stages of development were found. Most notable were the mature cuttings which had developed vegetation communities closely resembling those which are found on intact raised bogs. All the species which were found on the cupola were also found in the cuttings.

An additional 21 raised bog species were found in the cut-away areas. Most notable amongst these was Vaccinium oxycoccus which is normally only found growing across Sphagnum hummocks in the pool systems of intact raised bogs. It was found on only 22 sites in Northern Ireland by Leach and Corbett (1987). In this case it was found on only 22 sites in Northern Ireland by Leach and Corbett (1987). In this case it was found in cuttings which had developed a high cover of Sphagnum magellanicum and other hummock building Sphagnum species.

Cuttings were also found with assemblages of species normally found in the wetter parts of the pool areas of intact raised bogs. These included Sphagnum recurvum and S,. cuspidatum and Narthecium ossifragum. These cuttings are acting as refuge for the flora and fauna formerly found on the bog surface. They are a rich and diverse source of species which would be available for the regeneration of the damaged bog surface.

The northern edge of the bog has had little peat cutting compared to the southern edge. The margin vegetation in the south is of ombnrotrophic peat cutting communities. In the north however, adjacent to the Glenullin Water, it is very different, with a community of fen species existing along much of the margin.

This community closely resembles the lagg fen communities formerly found on the margins of intact raised bogs but now very rare in Ireland. Only 12 bogs in Northern Ireland were recorded as having any lagg fen remaining by Leach and Corbett 1987). Forty one species typically found in transitional bog/fen areas were recorded along the northern edge of Glenullin Bog

During the survey buzzards and kestrels were seen hunting across the bog. Numerous snipe were also seen. It was reported by local sources that curlews nested on the bog this year. An otter spraint was observed in the northern fen area adjacent to the river.

Despite the recent damage to the bog it remains a valuable ecological resource.

1. The gross moprphology of the site remains intact. It is of special value because of the combination of a large and relatively intact cupola, and an extensive lagg fen area.

2. The continued presencec of a high water table on the cupola has enabled a rapid revegetation of the bog surface with ombrotrophic bog species.

3. The former cut-away areas surrounding the bog are a refuge for the flora and fauna founace of the raised dome of the bog. Most notable amongst the species found was Vaccinium oxycoccous. These are of value as they provide species source of regeneration of the cupola.
Any further disturbance of the site would cause lasting damage to the hydrology of the site. Any lowering of the water table will have the effect of drying out the whole site, not just the central dome area. This would be detrimental to the cology of the cutting and lagg areas and cause changes in vegetation.

Glenullin Bog was used for paleocological investigation of the deglaciation of the Agivey river basin by Johnson (1974). Peat cores were taken from Glenullin Bog for pollen and macrofossil analysis. The aim was to interpret the history of the vegetation of this area during the end of the last ice age. Removal of the Glenullin deposit would prevent any continuation of this work.

Aside from the ecological value of the site, the bog is an intrinsic part of the landscape of Glenullin. It is a focal point for the whole valley adding colour and texture to the overall scene. Removal of the bog would seriously degrade the visual environment within Glenullin.