Allt Mor

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 57.1503, -3.6797

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Also within

Inverness County Cairngorms National Park The Cairngorm Mountains Scenic Area

Condition (NatureScot)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Fluvial Geomorphology of Scotland Favourable — 2009-02-03

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Glacial

Description

ALLT MOR The Allt Mor is an excellent example of a steep mountain torrent whose flood history and planform adjustment (channel position) has been reconstructed over the last 40 years. In terms of slope, sediment supply, sediment size and degree of channel confinement, the river system can be subdivided into three very different but inter-related sub-systems. The headwaters are relatively stable, with limited sediment supply due to the proximity of the drift-rock boundary. Within the middle, steep gullied, section, the river has entrenched deeply into glacial and fluvioglacial deposits producing a restricted active area but with an unlimited sediment supply. This is important in comparison with other systems where sources of available sediment are often more distant from the main channel. Downstream where channel slope decreases the active area widens, and a large, periodically active gravel fan has formed, with sediment size ranging from coarse boulders to fine sand. The whole of the Allt Mor is of particularly interest for the river’s response to periodic flash floods, with material being flushed out of the gully section and deposited downstream on the fan.

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