Moors for the Future EarthCache
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The Dark Peak moors are famous for their bleak, peat covered views, but they have come under significant threat in recent years.
A combination of wildfires, air pollution from the industrial revolution, overgrazing by sheep and excessive recreational pressure, has left large areas of the Dark Peak moors in a very poor condition, with very little vegetation cover. In this state the peat below becomes exposed.
Over the last 5 years is has also been discovered that peat has a major role to play in the fight against climate change, as it is a significant store of carbon when in good condition. However when the peat becomes exposed, it releases carbon from the decomposed organic material that forms the peat.
Innovative and experimental techniques have been adopted by the National Trust and the Moors for the Future team, including spraying the peat with grass by helicopter, planting cotton grass plugs and spreading heather brash to help create a protective skin. Plans to return the moors to blanket bog by gully blocking the many thousands of ditches which scar the high moors are also being actioned. This also helps stabilise the peat and stops it being washed down into the reservoirs. It is estimated that 4.8 million bags of peat are washed off of the moors in the Dark Peak every year.
Gritstone is a well cemented coarse sandstone, and is the underlying rock of the Dark Peak (including Bleaklow). The cement is primarily silica, making the rock resistant to erosion, this indicates that deposition was in acidic waters. There are local pockets of calcite cementation, indicating localised pockets of alkalinity - these are often associated with bacteria that decay plant materials and could be sites of log jams on the braided streams of the delta. These erode more easily that the silica cemented bulk of the grit and have created caves at many of the areas gritstone crags like Robin Hood’s cave at Stanage Edge. This may also account for many of the unusual rock formations in the area, such as the nearby Wain Stones. Derbyshire at this time was still well south of its location today and the top of the delta was colonised by lush vegetation. The warm swamps formed thick layers of peat, many are now buried underground.
Many thanks to the National Trust for supporting the placement of this earthcache, which aims to highlight the work that is going on to try and regenerate the moors. The work on Bleaklow has largely been completed, and I was lucky to join the restoration team in June 2003 when the moor was being reseeded by helicopter (see related photographs). The present regeneration efforts are focused on Kinder Scout where much work is still needed. (visit link)
In order to log your visit please ensure you have already emailed me the answers to points 2, 3 and 4. Question 1 must be included as part of your log entry, but ensure you do not include the answers to the other questions; these must only be e-mailed (as explained below). Questions 5 and 6 are optional but please try and complete the full challenge if you have the time.
1) Firstly, to allow this earthcache to provide an ongoing 'situation report' on the moorland renewal you must make some observations about the condition of the peat moor in your log. This may include any dams you have come across in the gullys and the effect they seem to be having, any fresh peat erosion, or areas where you can see real improvements occuring. In particular, if you can observe any location where the seeds previously mentioned are taking hold, this would be useful information. A supporting photograph would be welcomed. Observations do not necessarily need to be directly at these co-ordinates, but do need to be on the Bleaklow moor. In particular, please report on the MoorLIFE project as it progresses (see bottom). You can see the condition of the moor when the project started on the background image, and make comparisons.
2) Under the correct conditions, peat is the earliest stage in the formation of what type of rock? You will need to research this answer if you don't already know. Answer to be e-mailed.
On approaching the stake (co-ordinates) two marker stones have been erected.
3) Stand at the southern stone and count how many strides it takes to reach the stake. Answer to be emailed.
4) On arriving at the stake, stand on it's northern side. From this position, how many arrows are in view? Answer to be emailed.
Optional questions.
5) I would politely request a picture of yourself or GPSr showing the stake or eroded peat in the surrounding area should be submitted with your log, to demonstrate you have visited the site. However, your log will by accepted if you don't under the revised geocaching rules.
6) For a bonus point and a worthwhile detour, visit the co-ordinates noted below for stage 1. They will take you to the Wain Stones which are literally 2 minutes walk from the stake, only just out of view. They are perhaps the most famous landmark at the summit of Bleaklow and many people miss them as they are just hidden from view off the main path. If you stand a little way below them, what do the 2 stones appear to be doing? Answer be optionally emailed. This is an optional visit.
Please (visit link) to read more about the work the National Trust are doing in this area to safeguard the moors for the future. Also (visit link) for more information about the moors for the future partnership.
It goes without saying this is a remote point at the summit of Bleaklow at 633 metres, a very bleak hill named for a reason. The footpaths across Bleaklow are impossible to follow without GPS or compass devices as the peat dominates this moorland. The weather changes quickly and it is often windy, wet with low cloud. Take every precaution and become prepared for any condition. It will be considerably colder up here than down below at all times of the year.
UPDATE October 2011:
MoorLIFE begins anytime on Bleaklow, one of the biggest and most expensive regeneration projects in the UK. Helicopters will begin airlifting 20 miles of geo-textiles (like giant fishing nets) onto Bleaklow, where teams with tether them into position. They will hold the peat in position allowing the vegetation to take hold. When this occurs, the nets will over time degrade and decay naturally. The fabric will be used in bare-sided haggs and groughs (deep channels in the peat). Take a look at the added images of simular work, I look forward to seeing cache finders adding more images as the work takes place.
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Treasures
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