Skip to Content

Resource hub

SSSI Guidelines - Chapter 6 - Freshwater Habitats 2018

Abstract

Guidelines for the Selection of biological SSSIs

Part 2: Detailed guidelines for habitats and species groups

The statutory nature conservation agencies have a duty under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, to notify any area of land which in their opinion is 'of special interest by reason of any of its flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features'. Such areas are known as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

This Chapter covers freshwater habitats, from springs, seepages and upland torrents to sluggish slow-flowing rivers, and from cold deep lakes to temporary pools. They support a rich array of biological assemblages, which contain many rare or threatened fish, invertebrates, plants and other species. These guidelines provide the basis for selection of SSSIs for these freshwater habitat features.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2018··

Citation
Mainstone, C.P., Hall, R.A., Hatton-Ellis, T.W., Boon, P.J., Bean, C.W. & Lee, A.S.L. 2018. Guidelines for the Selection of Biological SSSIs. Part 2: Detailed Guidelines for Habitats and Species Groups. Chapter 6 Freshwater habitats. JNCC, Peterborough.

Lineage
This chapter updates and replaces the previous Freshwater Habitats SSSI Selection Guidelines chapter (Nature Conservancy Council 1989).

Responsible organisation
Digital and Data Solutions, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access None

Use constraints None

Metadata date 2019·06·25

Metadata point of contact
Digital and Data Solutions, JNCC

Back to top