The Western Region peripheral region Galway, Mayo, roscommon

Ireland

Landscape rural climate underdeveloped primary out-migration low

Draw a graph to represent the following data.

Relief: The main mountains of this region include: Nephin Beg range in Co. Mayo. (including Croagh Patrick). The Maamturk Mountains, the Partry Mountains and Twelve Pins in Galway. Basket of eggs topography – drumlins of Clew Bay Drainage: The main rivers and lakes of this region include: The River Moy in Mayo. The Corrib and Clare in Galway The Suck and Shannon in Roscommon. Lough Corrib and Mask in Galway. Lough Conn in Mayo.

Soils of the region: There is a wide variety of soils in the West of Ireland region and are of a poorer quality than those in the GDA. The main soils of this region are: Podzols and gleys Shallow brown soils Peat and peaty soils While there are areas of fertile brown earth soils, these tend to be acidic and confined to lowland valleys where there are pockets of settlement.

Brown Soils Formed on areas covered by deciduous forest which provided large amounts of plant litter. Rainfall is limited so leaching and hardpan do not develop. They are very fertile and suitable for farming. They are found in the drier lowlands of the south, midlands, and east.

PODZOLS Formed on areas covered by coniferous trees. Pine needles provide limited plant litter. Greater rainfall causes leaching. Hardpan maydevelop and the A horizon becomes a grey colour. Podzol soils are infertile and slightly acidic. They are found in the wetter upland areas of Cork, Galway and Wexford.

Peat soils Peat forms when plant material, usually in wet areas, is inhibited from decaying fully by acidic and anaerobic conditions. It is composed mainly of wetland vegetation: principally bog plants including mosses, sedges and shrubs. As it accumulates, the peat can hold water, thereby slowly creating wetter conditions, and allowing the area of wetland to expand. Peatland features can include ponds, ridges, and raised bogs. For more information on this process, refer to wetland in general and bog in particular. Most modern peat bogs formed in high latitudes after the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the last ice age some 12,000 years ago. Peat usually accumulates slowly, at the rate of about a millimetre per year.

Physical processes Relief and drainage