Habitats of Molluscs: Upland Lakes

Species frequently associated with upland lake habitats

Upland lake

Upland lakes in Britain (those over 350 m.) are generally poor in number of species. This arises from the fact that they are mainly on siliceous rocks, and so contain water which is deficient in calcium. They are also colder than air temperatures might suggest, because water temperature depends a great deal on direct sunshine, which in mountains is reduced by cloud and fog, and corrie lakes facing north lose much of what sunshine there is.

The nomenclature used in the list follows "An annoted list of the non-marine mollusca of Britain and Ireland." by Dr. Roy Anderson, 2005 in Journal of Conchology Vol. 38: Part 6 pages 607– 637, which may also be accessed from the menu to the left under 'British Non-marine List

The following list of species which might be found in lakes at altitudes of about 350 m. or more  includes six species which are only found at these heights in calcareous water, and they are marked with an asterisk (*).