Faldonside Loch
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Condition (NatureScot)
Unfavourable Declining (1)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Base-rich loch | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2014-02-27 |
Description
FALDONSIDE LOCH Faldonside Loch, which lies at an altitude of 176m in a deep natural basin near Abbotsford south of Galashiels is the lowest altitude marl-loch of the series of such lochs which occur in the Scottish Borders. These types of lochs are relatively unusual in Scotland. The loch is an eutrophic (nutrient rich), highly alkaline waterbody due mainly to the remains of marl (limey clay) deposits which were formed and deposited in the loch waters after the last ice age. The following are not notified features but because of the water chemistry characteristic water plants such as Stonewort (Chara) species have been found and a typical range of aquatic invertebrates occurs in which molluscs are particularly well represented.