Owenkillew River - United Kingdom

UK ECN site. The Owenkillew River rises in Davagh Forest, flowing swiftly downslope towards Newtownstewart, some 40 km to the west. The upper section is typical of fast-flowing spate rivers that are ultra-oligotrophic (full of lots of oxygen but no nutrients for plant growth). A number of aquatic mosses such as Fontinalis squamosa, Rhynchostegium riparioides and Hygrohypnum luridum, occur in the deep channel and are typical species of upland streams. Moving downstream, the river channel is wider and more diverse whilst maintaining its nutrient poor status. In the mid-reaches, trees frequently line the river channel. Along these stretches, vascular plants are dominant and include stands of stream water-crowfoot and yellow ...