Cruach Choireadail
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Tertiary Igneous | Favourable | — | 2013-01-18 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Basalt
Landscape processes: Coastal, Volcanic / Igneous
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| golden eagle | Breeding |
Description
CRUACH CHOIREADAIL The Cruach Choireadail SSSI is located to the north of the Coladoir River in Glen More on the Isle of Mull. The Isle of Mull contains one of a series of long extinct volcanic centres on the west coast of Scotland. The SSSI encompasses several kinds of volcanic rock, which were produced as a result of volcanic activity during the Tertiary geological period, 60 million years ago. The mass was originally interpreted as a type-example of the production of granitic rocks from molten basalt by a type of magmatic evolution. It was hypothesised that dense crystals, formed early in the solidification of the intrusion, sank in the magma leaving a still-liquid residue of different composition. This hypothesis has been hotly contested and the resultant controversy has yet to be resolved. Other interests include the Ishriff Ring-dyke, separated from the Glen More intrusion by older volcanic rocks, and lavas and very coarse pyroclastic rocks known as agglomerates. Part of Cruach Choireadail SSSI also overlaps with part of Cnuic agus Cladach Mhuile Special Protection Area (SPA), designated for the birds listed below. Tertiary Igneous Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos (Breeding)
Species mentioned
Show the 1 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| golden eagle | Aquila chrysaetos | NT (Breeding) | bird-hawk | falconidae |
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