Biodiversity survey of flora in the verges of Mud Island Community Garden: Summer 2026

Summary
The Biodiversity Action Group surveyed and observed flora in the verges surrounding Mud Island
Community Garden on 18 July 2026, following an initial survey in November 2025.
41 plant species were identified, 65% (27) of these were native, including 8 top ‘pollinator-friendly’1
plants. The Garden’s verges remain a valuable habitat in the North Strand, providing food and shelter
for native wildlife from early spring to late autumn.

(1. Top Ten pollinator plants for different situations. All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, How-to Guide 10. National
Biodiversity Data Centre Series No.29. November 2022. Available at pollinators.ie)

Carrying out the flora survey

Survey method
14 one metre2 quadrats were assessed from three sections:
1. Section 1: Long verge along Clinch’s Court (5 quadrats, broken transect)
2. Section 2: A bank surrounding the stage area at Newcomen Court (3 quadrats, randomly
selected from 3 sides near the path)
3. Section 3: Raised bank between Newcomen Court and Community Garden (6 quadrats,
broken transect
A follow-up walk around the verges identified additional species that had not been surveyed. Plants
were identified using prior knowledge, apps and cross-checking with “The Wildflowers of Ireland” by
Zoe Devlin.

Results
41 plant species were identified in total. 19 species were identified in the surveyed areas. 74% (14) of
these were native species.
Seven of the native species observed are described as important “pollinator-friendly”plants by the
National Biodiversity Data Centre1:
• Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)
• Creeping Thistle (Circense arvense)
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg .)
• Elder (Sambucus nigra)
• Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
• Ivy (Hedera helix)
• Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
The Elder (Sambucus nigra) is a small tree that has self seeded very close to some housing. Rowan
(Sorbus aucuparia) and Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) are part of a newly planted native hedge
around the Stage area (Section 2).

Coverage of plants in the surveyed areas was assessed using the DAFOR2 scale:
• Section 1. Clinches’ Court: Grasses abundant (50%)
• Section 2. Stage area: Grasses dominant (73%)
• Section 3. Raised bank: Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) abundant (52%)
Other species were observed only rarely as single specimens or small patches (33% coverage in total).
In the follow up walk outside the surveyed areas,18 additional species (50% native) were identified as
single/few specimens in the margins of the garden.
Three native plants observed in the November 2025 survey were not seen this time: Clover (Trifolium
agg.), Ox-Eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) and Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare).
One officially invasive plant in Ireland3 was present – a stand of Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia
japonica). The landowner, Dublin City Council, has been notified about its presence. Two other
vigorous non-natives plants were observed: Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) and Red Valerian
(Diplotaxis tenuifolia). None of the species identified were threatened or red-listed.
See the Appendix for the full list of species observed.

Recommendations
Maintain and promote the diversity of native flora present in the garden to provide food and shelter for
wildlife throughout the season.
1 Reduce grasses dominance, especially in Section 2. Stage area, to encourage greater diversity of
flowering species
2 Maintain undisturbed stands of Bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.), Bindweed (Calystegia sepium),
Nettles (Urtica dioica) and Ivy (Hedera helix) in Section 1. Consider building a dead hedge around
these areas to contain them and to provide:

• shelter and nesting cover for small mammals and birds
• habitat for beetles, spiders and other invertebrates
• substrate for fungi, lichens and mosses
• food for decomposer organisms

3 Maintain the newly planted native hedge and restock as required.
4 Remove the large stands of Buddleia davidii and replace with small native shrubs / trees
5 Manage Red Valerian (Cetranthus ruber) to prevent it outcompeting natives.
6 Collect and grow seeds from the native plants present, e.g. from top pollinators such as the
Cirsium thistles and Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) and from less abundant species such
as the Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens) or Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) – for planting in the
verges and sharing with community members to plant in pots or gardens
7 Consider propagating the Elder (Sambucus nigra) and replanting in a more suitable location, away
from neighbours.
8 Carry out other types of biodiversity survey, and look to increase and standardise areas surveyed in
the Flora survey.
9 Support the addition of two small ponds (being planned) and the maintenance of the existing pond
in the Garden.

(2. Abundance was assessed using the subjective DAFOR scale: D = Dominant (>75%), A = Abundant (51-75% cover), F = Frequent (26-50%), O = Occasional (11-25%), R = Rare (1-10%)
3. Identification Guide to Ireland’s Regulated Invasive Alien Plant Species, 3rd Edition)

Appendix. Plants surveyed & observed in Garden verges, July 2026

Species	Latin name	Native (y/n)	Survey area DAFOR Total coverage (%)
Bastard Cabbage	Rapistrum rugosum	N	0.1%
Bindweed, Hedge	Calystegia sepium	Y	8.1%
Birch	Downy Betula pubescens	Y
Bramble	Rubus fruticosus agg	Y	6.5%
Buddleja	Buddleja davidi	N
Buttercup	Creeping Ranunculus repens	Y	0.5%
Chicory	Cichorium intybus	N	0.4%
Couch grass	Elytrigia repens	Y
Dandelion	Taraxacum officinale	Y	1,1%
Dock, Broad-leaved	Rumex obtusifolius	Y	3.5%
Elder	Sambucus nigra	Y
False Oat-grass	Arrhenatherum elatius	Y
Grasses various		N/A	50.2%
Green Alkanet	Pentaglottis sempervivens	N
Hawk’s-beard	Beaked Crepis vesicaria	N
Hawk’s-beard, Rough	Crepis biennis	Y
Hawk’s-beard, Smooth	Crepis capillaris	Y
Hawthorn	Crataegus monogyna	Y
Hazel	Corylus avellana	Y	0.6%
Herb-robert	Geranium robertianum	Y
Ivy	Hedera helix	Y
Japanese Knotweed	Fallopia japonica	N
Knapweed,	Common Centaurea nigra	Y	17.2%
Mallow	Common Malva sylvestris	N	1.1%
Mallow, Tree	Malva arborea	N4
Plaintain	Ribwort Plantago lanceolata	Y	1.6%
Plum, European	Prunus domestica	N	0.6%
Poppy	Common Papaver rhoeas	N
Ragwort	Common Jacobaea vulgaris	Y	1.9%
Red Valerian	Cetranthus ruber	N
Rocket Wild	Diplotaxis tenuifolia	N
Rowan	Sorbus aucuparia	Y
Rye-grass	Perennial Lolium perenne	Y
Silverweed	Potentilla anserina	Y	0.1%
Sticky Willy/ Cleavers	Galium aparine	Y	0.1%
Stinging Nettles	Urtica dioica	Y	4.2%
Sycamore	Acer pseudoplatanus	N
Teasel	Dipsacus fullonum	Y
Thistle	Creeping Circense arvense	Y
Thistle	Sow Sonchus oleraceus	Y	0.1%
Wall Barley	Hordeum murinum	N
Willow	Salix spp	Y	0.1%

4 Rarely native >100m from the coast