Park Clough
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE029124 | — | Favourable | 0.46 | 2022-11-03 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Sandstone, Shale
Description
Description The section here exposes the upper Kinderscoutian Grit and an overlying 20 metres shale sequence. This section is the proposed boundary stratotype for the Marsdenian Stage in the upper Namurian. The boundary is taken at the Reticuloceras gracile Marine Band, which is well exposed here and contains an abundant bivalve and goniatite fauna. Thischrono stratigraphical unit is intended for use in the west European region, thus making Park Clough an internationally important site. In layman's terms, the interest of this site may be expressed more simply and such a statement is provided below. This should not be taken as definitive and further information as to details of the interest can be obtained from the Nature Conservancy Council. Rock outcrops within this stream valley provide important exposures of sandstone and shales of the Namurian Series formed during the Carboniferous Period of geological history, about 320 million years ago. The sequence of rock layers includes an important junction between two of the major subdivisions or Stages of the Carboniferous Period. This junction is defined by the presence, within a thin layer of marine shale, of a characteristic fossil which can be used to accurately date the rocks. This part of the rock sequence is particularly well exposed here and geologists recognise Park Clough as an important locality for that reason. In fact Park Clough has been proposed as the standard for the junction referred to above and is thus likely to become an internationally important reference locality.
Plant communities
A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Potamogeton natans community
Show 20 indicator speciesSchoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa
A14 — Fast flowing river and stream
Myriophyllum alterniflorum community
Show 15 indicator speciesIsolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina
A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community
Show 11 indicator speciesBerula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
Show 12 indicator speciesFontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea