Site Code
Country: United Kingdom
Central coordinates: 54.55000000o [54o 32' 59" North], -3.15000000o [3o 8' 59" West]
Administrative region: North West (Cumberland)
Area: 1833 ha
Altitude: 0 - 430
Site Description
River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake are characterised by inland water bodies, bogs and marshes and broad-leaved deciduous woodland.
The area is ecologically important for its vascular plants.
Bassenthwaite Lake in the Lake District, north-west England, is an example of a mesotrophic waterbody (Type 5), an unusual type in mountain areas. It is a large lake with an extensive catchment area and consequently is subject to rapid through-flow of water and moderate nutrient status.
Botanical Significance
Vascular & habitat interest. A wide variety of pondweeds Potamogeton spp. are found, including perfoliate pondweed Potamogeton perfoliatus, small pondweed P. berchtoldii and curled pondweed P. crispus, which are widespread, whilst red pondweed P. alpinus, various-leaved pondweed P. gramineus and lesser pondweed P. pusillus are more locally distributed. Uncommon species present in the community are autumnal water-starwort Callitriche hermaphroditica and six-stamened waterwort Elatine hexandra.
Several sedge species are found in such areas, including a local northern species, water sedge Carex aquatilis. On stony shores common spike-rush Eleocharis palustris is locally abundant amongst species such as globeflower Trollius europaeus, saw-wort Serratula tinctoria and the nationally rare thread rush Juncus filiformis.
Management guidance notes
Vascular & habitat interest
Notes
None