Upper Nidderdale
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE093735 | — | Favourable | 31.31 | 2016-03-17 |
| SE100728 | — | Favourable | 14.03 | 2016-03-17 |
| SE101755 | — | Favourable | 64.16 | 2016-03-17 |
| SE104733 | — | Favourable | 28.58 | 2016-03-17 |
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Cave / Cavern, Gorge / Ravine, Rock Outcrop · Rock Type: Limestone, Sandstone
Landscape processes: Fluvial, Karst
Description
Description The site known as Upper Nidderdale is centred on the underground course of the River Nidd which flows in large passages at the exceptional depth of 30 metres beneath the valley floor. The geological structure of the cave is unique for it originates in one limestone outcrop and emerges from another after passing beneath a sandstone outcrop. The shape and form of passages are further strongly determined by complex faulting. The How Stean Beck and gorge is a remarkable example of the surface stream capture of cave drainage and provides an illustration which is contrary to normal drainage development.
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