Impact Type: Deposition of pollutant
Key Concerns:
Vendace are a lake dwelling fish that require clean gravel for spawning. They are entirely planktivorous feeders. Only four populations of vendace have been recorded in the UK, two in Scotland and two in the English lake district. The two populations in Scotland (Castle and Mill Lochs, Dumfries) both became extinct during the 20th Century due to the combined effects of eutrophication and the introductions of other fish species harmful to vendace (Maitland & Lyle 1991). Of the two English populations (Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water) the former is similarly threatened.
The principal deleterious effect of eutrophication to vendace is increased algal productivity leading to reduced oxygen levels and sedimentation of their spawning grounds (Winfield 1992).
Additional Comments:
Surface runoff may also be an important source of eutrophication in agricultural areas.
| Critical Load/ Level |
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No comparable habitat with established critical load estimate available |