Ashby Canal
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK342089 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.13 | 2010-01-14 |
| SK343098 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.16 | 2010-01-14 |
| SK344083 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 0.98 | 2010-01-14 |
| SK349080 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.55 | 2010-01-14 |
| SK358074 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.79 | 2010-01-14 |
| SK368071 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.84 | 2010-01-14 |
| SK371053 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 0.75 | 2010-01-14 |
| SK373056 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.15 | 2010-01-14 |
| SK374048 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.19 | 2010-01-14 |
| SK375070 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 0.73 | 2010-01-14 |
| SK377063 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.49 | 2010-01-14 |
| SK384045 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.65 | 2010-01-14 |
Habitats
Description
Area,24.9 hectares 61.5 ac Description The Ashby Canal supports communities of aquatic and emergent plants that are representative of eutrophic standing water bodies in the English lowlands. The diversity of aquatic plants and invertebrates makes this one of the most important water bodies of its type in the East Midlands. The submerged plant community is of particular interest. mare's tail Hippuris vulgaris, spiked water milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum and perfoliate pondweed Potamogeton perfoliatus are locally abundant. Eight other species of pondweed have been recorded including grass wrack pondweed P. compressus and flat stalked pondweed Potamogeton friesii which are nationally uncommon. Where the canal bed is stony the scarce needle spike rush Eleocharis acicularis may be found. The floating plant community is also well developed. Yellow water lily Nuphar lutea, broad leaved pondweed P. natans, arrowhead Sagittaria sagittifolia and unbranched bur reed Sparganium emersum are all locally abundant. The emergent fringe is variously dominated by greater pond sedge Carex riparia, reed sweet grass Glyceria maxima and branched bur reed Sparganium erectum. Associated species include lesser water parsnip Berula erecta, flowering rush Butomus umbellatus, tubular water dropwort Oenanthe fistulosa, water dock Rumex hydrolapathum and skullcap Scutellaria galericulata. The Ashby Canal retains one of the richest invertebrate communities of eutrophic standing water still to be found in Leicestershire. Nine species of dragonfly have been recorded, including the locally scarce red eyed damselfly Erythromma najas. The water beetle fauna is diverse and it includes the nationally rare Haliplus mucronatus. The canal also supports populations of the native freshwater crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes and of the water shrew Neomys fodiens.
Species mentioned
Show the 20 species mentioned in the description, with red-list statusPlant communities
A1 — Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal
Lemna gibba community
Show 18 indicator speciesDrepanocladus fluitans, Apium nodiflorum, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Spirodela polyrhiza, Wolffia arrhiza, Callitriche obtusangula, Callitriche stagnalis, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus sceleratus, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Zannichellia palustris
A2 — Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal
Lemna minor community
Show 17 indicator speciesRiccia fluitans, Ricciocarpos natans, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Apium nodiflorum, Berula erecta, Bidens tripartita, Callitriche brutia ssp. hamulata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Callitriche stagnalis, Potamogeton lucens, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus peltatus
A3 — Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal
Spirodela polyrhiza-Hydrocharis morsus-ranae community
Show 17 indicator speciesBerula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Ceratophyllum demersum, Elodea canadensis, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Spirodela polyrhiza, Wolffia arrhiza, Callitriche platycarpa, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton crispus, Ranunculus circinatus, Zannichellia palustris, Glyceria fluitans, Azolla filiculoides
A5 — Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Ceratophyllum demersum community
Show 17 indicator speciesSparganium emersum, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Myosotis scorpioides, Nasturtium officinale, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Elodea nuttallii, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nuphar lutea, Callitriche stagnalis, Potamogeton coloratus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus circinatus, Azolla filiculoides
A8 — Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Nuphar lutea community
Show 42 indicator speciesEleocharis acicularis, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium emersum, Sparganium minimum, Fontinalis antipyretica, Riccia fluitans, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Apium nodiflorum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Spirodela polyrhiza, Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche hermaphroditica, Callitriche obtusangula, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Hippuris vulgaris, Littorella uniflora, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton berchtoldii, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton obtusifolius, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Potamogeton pusillus, Ranunculus circinatus, Ranunculus hederaceus, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Zannichellia palustris, Glyceria declinata, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria notata, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina
A11 — Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Potamogeton pectinatus-Myriophyllum spicatum community
Show 56 indicator speciesJuncus bulbosus, Sparganium emersum, Fontinalis antipyretica, Luronium natans, Apium inundatum, Oenanthe aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Ceratophyllum demersum, Elatine hydropiper, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Elodea nuttallii, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Stratiotes aloides, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphoides peltata, Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche hermaphroditica, Callitriche obtusangula, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Hippuris vulgaris, Littorella uniflora, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton alpinus, Potamogeton berchtoldii, Potamogeton compressus, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton friesii, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton lucens, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton obtusifolius, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Potamogeton praelongus, Potamogeton pusillus, Potamogeton trichoides, Ranunculus baudotii, Ranunculus circinatus, Ranunculus omiophyllus, Ranunculus peltatus, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Ruppia cirrhosa, Zannichellia palustris, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria notata, Chara spp., Chara subspinosa, Lamprothamnion papulosum, Nitella hyalina
A12 — Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Potamogeton pectinatus community
Show 16 indicator speciesCeratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Elodea nuttallii, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Callitriche stagnalis, Polygonum amphibium, Groenlandia densa, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus peltatus, Ruppia maritima, Zannichellia palustris, Lamprothamnion papulosum
A15 — Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Elodea canadensis community
Show 20 indicator speciesSparganium emersum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Spirodela polyrhiza, Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche stagnalis, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton lucens, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus circinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans, Glyceria fluitans
A19 — Chalk river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake
Ranunculus aquatilis community
Show 16 indicator speciesFontinalis antipyretica, Apium nodiflorum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna gibba, Lemna trisulca, Callitriche obtusangula, Callitriche stagnalis, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus aquatilis, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans
A20 — Chalk river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal
Ranunculus peltatus community
Show 16 indicator speciesSparganium erectum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Callitriche platycarpa, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus circinatus, Ranunculus peltatus, Ranunculus sceleratus, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria notata
S3 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake
Carex paniculata swamp
Show 35 indicator speciesSolanum dulcamara, Carex paniculata, Carex riparia, Sparganium erectum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Oenanthe crocata, Caltha palustris, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Equisetum fluviatile, Lotus pedunculatus, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium palustre, Rumex acetosa, Rumex hydrolapathum, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Scutellaria galericulata, Urtica dioica, Viola palustris, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis, Dryopteris dilatata, Athyrium filix-femina, Typha latifolia
S4 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Reedbed
Phragmites australis swamp and reed-beds
Show 98 indicator speciesSalix cinerea, Atriplex portulacoides, Solanum dulcamara, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex acuta, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex otrubae, Carex panicea, Carex pseudocyperus, Carex riparia, Carex rostrata, Cladium mariscus, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus effusus, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Juncus subnodulosus, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Leptodictyum riparium, Sphagnum fallax, Suaeda maritima, Angelica sylvestris, Apium graveolens, Berula erecta, Cicuta virosa, Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe fistulosa, Oenanthe lachenalii, Sium latifolium, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene flos-cuculi, Atriplex hastata, Atriplex littoralis, Salicornia dolichostachya, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin maritimum, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Utricularia intermedia, Utricularia minor, Lythrum salicaria, Menyanthes trifoliata, Nymphaea alba, Epilobium hirsutum, Callitriche stagnalis, Hippuris vulgaris, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Rumex crispus, Rumex hydrolapathum, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus lingua, Ranunculus sceleratus, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Urtica dioica, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria maxima, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Poa trivialis, Puccinellia maritima, Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia, Chara subspinosa
S5 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake
Glyceria maxima swamp
Show 44 indicator speciesSolanum dulcamara, Carex acuta, Carex otrubae, Carex riparia, Juncus effusus, Sparganium erectum, Riccia fluitans, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Angelica sylvestris, Apium inundatum, Berula erecta, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Myosotis scorpioides, Nasturtium officinale, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Iris pseudacorus, Glechoma hederacea, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lythrum salicaria, Nymphaea alba, Epilobium hirsutum, Callitriche stagnalis, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex crispus, Rumex hydrolapathum, Rumex obtusifolius, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Filipendula ulmaria, Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Urtica dioica, Alopecurus pratensis, Glyceria maxima, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Poa trivialis
S6 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake
Carex riparia swamp
Show 43 indicator speciesSolanum dulcamara, Carex acuta, Carex elata, Carex riparia, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus effusus, Sparganium erectum, Calliergon giganteum, Angelica sylvestris, Oenanthe crocata, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Nasturtium officinale, Valeriana officinalis, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Nymphaea alba, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium palustre, Callitriche stagnalis, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Rumex crispus, Rumex hydrolapathum, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Scutellaria galericulata, Urtica dioica, Agrostis stolonifera, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Poa trivialis, Dryopteris dilatata, Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia
S8 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake
Scirpus lacustris ssp. lacustris swamp
Show 50 indicator speciesSolanum dulcamara, Carex canescens, Carex nigra, Carex rostrata, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Angelica sylvestris, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Caltha palustris, Ceratophyllum demersum, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Iris pseudacorus, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Stachys palustris, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Spirodela polyrhiza, Utricularia minor, Lythrum salicaria, Menyanthes trifoliata, Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea alba, Epilobium palustre, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum bistorta, Potamogeton lucens, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Ranunculus flammula, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Galium palustre, Solanum nigrum, Agrostis canina, Glyceria fluitans, Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia
S12 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake
Typha latifolia swamp
Show 50 indicator speciesSolanum dulcamara, Carex rostrata, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Sparganium erectum, Calliergon cordifolium, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Acorus calamus, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Apium nodiflorum, Berula erecta, Cicuta virosa, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Caltha palustris, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis scorpioides, Nasturtium officinale, Chenopodium album, Equisetum fluviatile, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Lythrum salicaria, Menyanthes trifoliata, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium palustre, Callitriche obtusangula, Callitriche stagnalis, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex crispus, Rumex hydrolapathum, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus repens, Ranunculus sceleratus, Comarum palustre, Galium palustre, Urtica dioica, Agrostis canina, Agrostis stolonifera, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea, Typha latifolia
S13 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake
Typha angustifolia swamp
Show 32 indicator speciesSolanum dulcamara, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Juncus effusus, Calliergon cordifolium, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Calystegia sepium, Elatine hydropiper, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Iris pseudacorus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Menyanthes trifoliata, Nymphaea alba, Epilobium hirsutum, Callitriche obtusangula, Littorella uniflora, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex hydrolapathum, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton pectinatus, Lysimachia vulgaris, Ranunculus flammula, Agrostis stolonifera, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria maxima, Glyceria notata, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia
S14 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake
Sparganium erectum swamp
Show 50 indicator speciesSolanum dulcamara, Carex acutiformis, Carex otrubae, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Sparganium erectum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Angelica sylvestris, Apium graveolens, Apium nodiflorum, Oenanthe crocata, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis scorpioides, Hesperis matronalis, Nasturtium officinale, Butomus umbellatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Iris pseudacorus, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Wolffia arrhiza, Lythrum salicaria, Nuphar lutea, Epilobium hirsutum, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex crispus, Groenlandia densa, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Galium palustre, Scutellaria galericulata, Urtica dioica, Agrostis canina, Glyceria fluitans, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia
S20 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake
Scirpus lacustris ssp. tabernaemontani swamp
Show 26 indicator speciesSolanum dulcamara, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex otrubae, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Eleocharis palustris, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus bufonius, Juncus gerardii, Apium graveolens, Oenanthe lachenalii, Cochlearia anglica, Atriplex hastata, Chenopodium rubrum, Triglochin maritimum, Rumex hydrolapathum, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus sceleratus, Potentilla anserina, Ruppia maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia distans, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia
S21 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake
Scirpus maritimus swamp
Show 61 indicator speciesAtriplex portulacoides, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex nigra, Carex otrubae, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Eleocharis palustris, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bufonius, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Amblystegium serpens, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Drepanocladus aduncus, Suaeda maritima, Apium graveolens, Berula erecta, Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe lachenalii, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Aster tripolium, Caltha palustris, Cirsium arvense, Sonchus arvensis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia marina, Spergularia media, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Salicornia dolichostachya, Calystegia sepium, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin maritimum, Mentha aquatica, Epilobium parviflorum, Plantago maritima, Limonium vulgare, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Samolus valerandi, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus sceleratus, Potentilla anserina, Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Ruppia maritima, Viola palustris, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria maxima, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia distans, Puccinellia maritima, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Spartina anglica
S28 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake
Phalaris arundinacea tall-herb fen
Show 31 indicator speciesSolanum dulcamara, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus effusus, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Oenanthe crocata, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Myosotis scorpioides, Nasturtium officinale, Atriplex hastata, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Mentha aquatica, Epilobium hirsutum, Callitriche stagnalis, Ranunculus repens, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Urtica dioica, Agrostis stolonifera, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elytrigia repens, Glyceria maxima, Holcus lanatus, Phalaris arundinacea, Poa trivialis, Puccinellia maritima, Typha angustifolia