Hydrobiologia

Tippett, Roger

doi: 10.1007/BF00008946pmid: N/A

Maitland, Peter S.;Hamilton, James D.

doi: 10.1007/BF00008945pmid: N/A

Murphy, K. J.;Beveridge, M. C. M.;Tippett, R.

doi: 10.1007/BF00008944pmid: N/A

Moss, Brian;Johnes, Penny;Phillips, Geoffrey

doi: 10.1007/BF00008947pmid: N/A

Abstract Limnologists had an early preoccupation with lake classification. It gave a necessary structure to the many chemical and biological observations that were beginning to form the basis of one of the earliest truly environmental sciences. August Thienemann was the doyen of such classifiers and his concept with Einar Naumann of oligotrophic and eutrophic lakes remains central to the world-view that limnologists still have. Classification fell into disrepute, however, as it became clear that there would always be lakes that deviated from the prescriptions that the classifiers made for them. Continua became the de rigeur concept and lakes were seen as varying along many chemical, biological and geographic axes. Modern limnologists are comfortable with this concept. That all lakes are different guarantees an indefinite future for limnological research. For those who manage lakes and the landscapes in which they are set, however, it is not very useful. There may be as many as 300 000 standing water bodies in England and Wales alone and maybe as many again in Scotland. More than 80 000 are sizable (>1 ha). Some classification scheme to cope with these numbers is needed and, as human impacts on them increase, a system of assessing and monitoring change must be built into such a scheme. Although ways of classifying and monitoring running waters are well developed in the UK, the same is not true of standing waters. Sufficient understanding of what determines the nature and functioning of lakes exists to create a system which has intellectual credibility as well as practical usefulness. This paper outlines the thinking behind a system which will be workable on a north European basis and presents some early results.

MacDonald, James G.

doi: 10.1007/BF00008948pmid: N/A

Abstract Loch Lomond is unusual in its geographical position and relationship to underlying geological structures. To the north-west of the Highland Boundary Fault the bedrock is composed mainly of the Dalradian Supergroup, a sequence of regionally metamorphosed Late Precambrian marine sediments. Immediately to the south-east of the Highland Boundary Fault the Highland Bonder Complex includes fragments and slices of ophiolitic origin and sediments with a range of Ordovician ages. The Dalradians may have originated in a remote location on the northern margin of Gondwanaland. To the south-east of the Highland Border the bedrock lies within the Midland Valley of Scotland and consists entirely of Upper Palaeozoic rocks of Devonian and Carboniferous age. The nature of the bedrock has an influence on the environment of Loch Lomond with respect to slope stabilities and water quality.

Curran, J. C.;Poodle, T.

doi: 10.1007/BF00008949pmid: N/A

Abstract A review is made of the rather limited studies that have been conducted into the available hydrological data for the catchment, and of the sparse hydrographic data relating to the Loch itself.

Best, G. A.;Traill, I.

doi: 10.1007/BF00008950pmid: N/A

Abstract Loch Lomond, the largest freshwater lake in Britain, is physically divided into a number of distinct basins by geological structures. The northern part of the loch is long, narrow and deep whilst the southern area is broad and shallow with many islands scattered throughout it. The water chemistry of the loch is dictated by the geology of catchment and the quality of the rivers flowing into it. The two major rivers, the Falloch and the Endrick Water, are both of good quality with low nutrient content. Consequently, the loch is regarded as oligotrophic, though the southern area verges towards being mesotrophic.

Farmer, John G.

doi: 10.1007/BF00008951pmid: N/A

Abstract The chemical record in Loch Lomond sediments deposited since the end of the last Ice Age provides evidence of the Flandrian marine transgression some 5500–7000 14C years B.P., sedimentation rates and the influence of man's local activities, environmental pollution and its sources since the onset of the Industrial Revolution, and of elemental mobility linked with the reduction-diffusion-oxidation cycle of early sedimentary diagenesis. Information derived from vertical profiles of halogen elements bromine and iodine, radionuclides 14C and 210Pb, heavy metals lead, zinc, and cadmium, stable lead isotopes 206Pb and 207Pb, and redox-sensitive elements manganese, iron and arsenic is reviewed and assessed.

Gunn, I. D. M.;Bailey-Watts, A. E.;Lyle, A. A.

doi: 10.1007/BF00008952pmid: N/A

Abstract Phosphorus and chlorophyll a levels were predicted for Loch Lomond from desk-derived P loss coefficients and flushing rates related according to existing eutrophication models. These were in close keeping with measured values.

Dickinson, Gordon

doi: 10.1007/BF00008953pmid: N/A

Abstract The Loch Lomond catchment lies across the boundary between the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland, and its vegetation and land-use are influenced by the environmental contrasts which occur on either side of the Highland Boundary Fault. In the northern part of the catchment area elevations exceed 800 metres, and thus there is an altitudinal zonation component to vegetation and land-use patterns. The role of man has been profound in modifying natural vegetation, and recent land-utilisation is reviewed. Changing human and environmental circumstances have a significant effect on vegetation and land-use, and these factors are evaluated. Though natural and semi-natural vegetation occupies only a small fraction of the catchment, its conservation importance is considerable. In terms of scenic and heritage resources, the whole area has international significance and the Loch Lomond catchment requires special protection and management.