by Matthew Law

Carr refers to a type of woody vegetation, consisting of trees like alder and hazel, which develops on peat soils (Evans 1978: 135). Molluscan assemblages from carr are very similar to those from fen, although dominant species may vary. Despite the wet conditions, aquatic snails are generally poorly represented or absent (Davies 2008: 31). In the Norfolk Broads, Desmoulin's whorl snail (Vertigo desmoulinsiana Dupuy 1849) may be found in alder carr where sedges (Carex spp.) or yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus) are present (Killeen 2003: 13).

References:

Davies, P., 2008: Snails: Archaeology and Landscape Change (Oxford: Oxbow)

Evans, J.G., 1978: An Introduction to Environmental Archaeology (London: Elek)

Killeen, I.J., 2003: Ecology of Desmoulin's Whorl Snail: Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology Series No. 6 (Peterborough: English Nature) 

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