Machair
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220200955
2008-06-18T19:11:55Z
Gaius Cornelius
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''This article is about a geographic landform. For the TV series, see [[Machair (TV series)]]''
[[Image:Berneray Machair (hazelisles).jpg|thumb|The machair on [[Berneray, North Uist|Berneray]], [[Outer Hebrides]]]]
The [[Gaelic language|Gaelic]] word '''machair''' or '''machar''' refers to a fertile low-lying grassy [[plain]] found on the some of the north-west [[coastline]]s of [[Ireland]] and [[Scotland]], in particular the [[Outer Hebrides]]. Two distinct types exist:
* A type of [[Dune|sand-dune]] [[pasture]], subject to [[agricultural]] cultivation, which prevails in wet and windy conditions;
* The land between a [[beach]] and the area where sand encroaches on [[Bog|peat bog]]s further inland.
[[Image:Berneray Machair.jpg|thumb|The machair on Berneray]]
=Geology=
In both cases, a machair is a former [[beach]], left higher in elevation than the current adjacent beach following a drop in [[sea level]].
Machairs largely owe their fertility to the fact their sand has a high [[animal shell|seashell]] content- sometimes as high as 90%. This sand is blown inland, adding to the fertility of the grassland.
=Ecology=
Machairs have received considerable [[ecological]] and [[conservation biology|conservational]] attention, chiefly because of their unique [[ecosystem]]s. They can house [[rare species|rare]] [[carpet flower]]s, such as [[Spiranthes|Irish Lady's Tresses]], [[Orchidaceae|orchids]] and [[Yellow Rattle]],<ref>[http://www.wildlifehebrides.com/environment/machair/ Machair Profile]</ref> along with a diverse array of bird species including the [[corn crake]], [[twite]], [[dunlin]], [[redshank]] and [[ringed plover]], as well as rare insects such as the [[northern colletes]] bee. Some machairs are threatened by [[erosion]] caused by rising sea levels as well as by recreational use of vicinity beaches.
=References=
<cite id=Angus1997>* Angus, S. (1997). ''The Outer Hebrides: the Shaping of the Islands". The White Horse Press. ISBN 1-874267-33-2</cite>
==Endnotes==
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Beaches of Scotland]]
[[Category:Beaches of Ireland]]
[[Category:Coastal geography]]
[[Category:Ecology of the British Isles]]
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