Allt Molach

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 56.4162, -5.8557

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Also within

Argyll and Bute County 08. Ben More, Mull Wild Land Area

Condition (NatureScot)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Tertiary Igneous Favourable — 2013-01-18

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Volcanic / Igneous

Description

ALLT MOLACH Allt Molach Site of Special Scientific Interest lies in Glen More on the Isle of Mull, and encompasses the Allt Molach River, its tributaries and the surrounding catchment area of moderate to steep grassy slopes. The Allt Molach River and its tributaries provide a traverse across a series of bands or intrusions of volcanic rock known as “ring-dykes.” The ring dykes were produced as a result of volcanic activity during the Tertiary geological period, 60 million years ago. Thirteen ring-dykes are exposed in the Allt Molach River. This section is of international significance because it contains the first to be recognised and best known example of a family of ring-dykes. Tertiary Igneous

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus 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

Isolepis 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

Berula 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

Fontinalis 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