Studies in the charophyte flora and ecology of some post-industrial water bodies in County Durham (v.c. 66)

Abstract

The reasons for the relatively small number of records for charophytes from County Durham (v.c. 66) in the 19th and 20th centuries are reviewed and the focus of recording on three specific areas is discussed. The augmentation of records is undertaken through four surveys of post-industrial water bodies in the period 2007–2013, specifically, of the Durham Magnesian Limestone Natural Area; Carboniferous Limestone quarries of Upper Weardale; lead mine reservoirs on the moorlands of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; lakes and ponds of the central Wear Valley. As a result of the surveys the charophyte database was more than doubled to 124 records for 16 taxa and 39 key sites identified from a total survey of 138 sites. The flora is compared with other local vice-county floras, the ecological and phytosociological aspects discussed and the prospects for conservation considered. Most of the sites were found to be relatively immune from the threat of eutrophication.