Limestone dales

Overall vulnerability

Features assessed:

• Limestone dales
• Limestone gorges and cliffs
• Karst valley systems of limestone dales and gorges created by historic river systems

Special qualities:

• Beautiful views created by contrasting landscapes and dramatic geology
• Undeveloped places of tranquillity and dark night skies within reach of millions
• An inspiring space for escape, adventure, discovery and quiet reflection

Feature description:

The Limestone Dales in the White Peak are steep sided valleys that cut through the limestone plateau, creating a distinctive landscape. This striking and often hidden landscape attracts visitors due to its natural beauty and tranquillity. The area contains many outstanding karst features and has a high number of designated sites. There are 18 geological and 10 mixed interest Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and 97 Local Geological Sites.

The land is predominately used for farming but also incorporates flower-rich grasslands, ancient ash woodlands, rivers, caves and rocky outcrops. The rivers that run through these limestone dales support a variety of species such as white-clawed crayfish, lamprey and dipper. Caves and woodland within the Limestone Dales support a large number of bat roosting sites and important woodland bird populations. Calaminarian grasslands associated with spoil heaps left over from the lead mining industry are also present. Many limestone faces that now provide important habitat are the remnants of former limestone quarrying (see Limestone Grassland).

How vulnerable are limestone dales?

Limestone dales in the PDNP have been rated ‘high’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to high sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, a variable current condition, and a moderate adaptive capacity.

The condition of limestone dales in the PDNP is generally good but subject to some pressures. Changes to water levels could have a major impact on habitat and how the land is used in the future. This will affect the appearance and appeal of the landscape. Damage to parts of this feature will be irreversible, reducing its adaptive capacity, however there are schemes which could help with adaptation and a large proportion of the sites are formally protected.

Current condition:

The Limestone Dales of the White Peak have national and European importance. A large part of this area lies within the Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation (SAC). There are also designated geological and mixed interest SSSIs and Local Geological Sites. They provide outstanding wildlife value through the different habitats they support.

Currently the majority of land is used for livestock farming. As some dale side grasslands have become uneconomic for grazing there is an increasing amount of scrub. This can affect the wildlife and distinctive flora of the grasslands, however scrub in itself provides an important transition between woodland and grassland. While this affects the appearance of the Dales it does not negatively impact its other valuable qualities.

The quality of water in the Limestone Dales is generally good with some exceptions. Some nutrient pollution and sedimentation is believed to be associated with changes in farming practices. These include a rise in intensity of livestock production, fields being treated with higher rates of nutrient application and larger numbers of cattle remaining indoors during the winter.

The Dales are very popular with visitors especially those who enjoy walking, cycling, rock climbing and caving. Certain locations can get particularly busy at peak times of the year meaning the sense of tranquillity can be reduced due to high visitor numbers. Some former limestone quarries, for example in Millers Dale, are now nature reserves in their own right. These provide an added element of natural and historic landscape interest with a particular relationship to the former railway routes that are now trails.

Some of the Dales have no roads and are wilder in character, contributing to their tranquil nature. 76% of the whole White Peak National Character Area is classed as ‘undisturbed’ and the steep sided valleys of the Limestone Dales are a significant tranquil feature.

What are the potential impacts of climate change?

Overall potential impact rating

Direct impacts of climate change

Storm events leading to more intense rainfall and flooding could damage visitor access by impacting roads, bridges and other structures. An increase in run-off could also harm drainage systems leading to rights of way becoming unusable, more frequently disrupted outdoor events and restrictions put in place on access. This is likely to impact regular visitor numbers although there may be a short-term rise in visitors wanting to see what damage has been caused by these extreme events. Data Certainty: High

Increased winter and reduced summer rainfall will result in changes of species present. This could impact visitors who come to see the landscape and wildlife in its current state. Limestone dales are sensitive to changes in water levels so drought could see the decline in species such as globeflower, mountain pansy and Jacob’s ladder that are at the southern end of their range. A reduction in humidity may reduce numbers and diversity of invertebrates, therefore providing less food for birds including the pied and spotted flycatcher and lesser spotted woodpecker. Conversely increased winter rainfall could cause the water table to rise in some areas, bringing benefits for wetter habitats which may increase the appeal of these landscapes. Data Certainty: Moderate

A rise in summer temperatures in limestone dales is likely to lead to changes in the composition of woodlands, limestone grasslands, and limestone heath. This may poses a threat to the character and visual diversity of the landscape. Data Certainty: Moderate

Atmospheric pollution and the resultant acidification of water may cause chemistry changes and disruption of stalagmite formation in caves. Acidification of water could speed up the weathering effect on limestone and result in the loss or damage to limestone features. Both of these could alter the aesthetics of the landscape. Data Certainty: Moderate

Human behaviour change

Higher temperatures could lead to changes in farming practices as heat impacts on livestock welfare and farm viability. As a result there could be increased demand for new buildings and trees to provide shelter and shade. This is likely to be in wider dales that are already associated with agricultural buildings and subject to planning control. There might be an increased desire to remove drystone walls, affecting the historic landscape character. Tree establishment may especially be welcomed in areas where ash trees are currently being lost due to ash dieback. Data Certainty: High

Agriculture soils are sensitive to drought. Drier conditions could prompt changes in cutting times of meadows and other agricultural activities with negative implications for food production, farm income, meadow flora, ground nesting birds and nectar-feeding insects. If there is insufficient water to sustain livestock it may result in a reduction in viable grazing areas. Drier conditions that result in droughts are likely to increase the demand for water abstraction from watercourses and groundwater aquifers, which could negatively impact properties, businesses and visitor facilities. Data Certainty: High

The changes in temperature could see a rise in recreational pressure in locations close to water or with shaded areas. Increased visitor numbers could bring more congestion and traffic pollution, pressure on infrastructure, loss of tranquillity, a conflict between different user groups and disturbance for local residents and landowners. Increased footfall in certain areas could also increase erosion risk. Conversely, hotter drier summers could provide opportunities for a wider range of outdoor events. Data Certainty: High

Increased demand for renewable energy, such as the addition of wind farms, has the potential to affect the landscape character and tranquillity. It could also change the emotional connection between residents, visitors and the landscape. However, it unlikely that wind farms would be installed in limestone dales due their operational requirements of open space to maximise wind. If any wind farms were built these would be likely to be on the higher plateaus and may be hidden from view in the dales. There is a higher likelihood of the installation of individual turbines in these areas however. In an assessment of landscape sensitivity to wind turbines by the PDNPA the Limestone Dales in the White Peak were judged to have moderate-high sensitivity to small turbines up to 15 metres. Data Certainty: Low

Sedimentation or erosion

More intense rainfall and flooding from storm events could increase landslides and erosion, leading to habitat loss and changes to the appearance of the landscape. Ash dieback will mean there are more standing dead trees which will be more susceptible to being swept away in extreme rainfall events. Storms are likely to cause damage to healthy trees as well. In places like Dovedale this could lead to the river becoming blocked, causing flooding upstream. Data Certainty: Moderate

The karst valley system of limestone dales and gorges are sensitive to any overall increase in rainfall. This could result in erosion of limestone features, changing the landscape aesthetics as well as an increase in run off and sedimentation in waterways. Archaeology, historic structures, habitats and species could all be lost or damaged due to this erosion. Data Certainty: Moderate

Invasive or other species interactions

Limestone dale woodlands are dominated by ash. Ash dieback disease is a major threat with between 60 and 90% of ash trees expected to be affected in the PDNP, with significant impact on the White Peak plateau and dales. Milder winters with fewer frosts could see an increase in the prevalence of diseases such as ash dieback which will alter the biodiversity and aesthetics of the landscape. Changes in temperature and rainfall can also put trees under stress, making them more susceptible to disease. Data Certainty: High

Nutrient changes or environmental contamination

Groundwater in limestone dales is vulnerable to pollution. This is due to the many fissures and underground passages in the limestone linking it to the surface water. Increased rainfall could mean nutrient applications on farmland are more likely to be carried into groundwater if applied before heavy rainfall periods. When rivers are low during the summer pollutants can become particularly concentrated. This could then have an impact on water quality for residents and visitors. Data Certainty: Moderate

What is the adaptive capacity of limestone dales?

Overall adaptive capacity rating

Limestone dales have a complex hydrogeology and eroded features cannot recover their structure, therefore adaptation measures will not always be possible. Water management is especially difficult, which means the landscape may change in the future. Ash trees remain a high risk but most vegetation can recover or regenerate with some help. Data Certainty: High

Agri-environment schemes and woodland grant schemes are in use within the Limestone Dales and can help to provide funding for adaptation measures. There may be White Peak partnership schemes available in the future, which will increase the funding opportunities for a fixed period. Data Certainty: Moderate

The majority of the Dales, 2,337 hectares, are included in the Peak District Dales SAC, and are SSSIs of both natural and geological importance. Most of the Dales are covered by the Section 3 legislation called the Natural Zone in the National Park Management Plan (NPMP), which means there is a presumption against any development. A variety of management options are available, however caution needs to be taken where there will be a negative impact on landscape character. Designation should support positive adaptation measures for the Dales and Section 3 legislation should protect them against damaging adaptation or mitigation. Data Certainty: Moderate

Key adaptation recommendations for limestone dales:

Improve current condition to increase resilience

The current condition of a feature is an important factor alongside its sensitivity and exposure, in determining its vulnerability to climate change. These recommendations are aimed at improving the condition of the feature at present, therefore making it better able to withstand future changes to climate.

• Protect geological features and maintain their visibility by removing or managing vegetation.
• Improve water use efficiency and rainwater harvesting, especially in remote locations which are dependent on springs and susceptible to drought.
• Provide advice, information and support to farmers on increasing organic matter in soils and other measures to increase carbon storage and improve drought tolerance of farmland.
• Maintain historic environment records to enable historic environment advice to be integrated with other land management advice, to help conserve historic environment assets.
• Encourage sympathetic management, restoration and creation of riparian habitats, particularly grassland, woodland and wetland, to stabilise river banks and reduce erosion and diffuse pollution.
• Install settlement ponds and silt traps to intercept run-off and sediment before it reaches watercourses.
• If visitor numbers increase at easy to access locations, encourage visitors to use alternative transport such as bikes and public transport to maintain tranquillity of the area.
• Undertake stream revetment schemes to slow flow, reducing rock face undercutting, stream bank erosion and minimise downstream flooding.
• More research is required to better understand the hydrology and role of artificial drainage on low flow river systems.
• Consider the impact on key views when planning adaptations.

Improve current condition to increase resilience: Targeted conservation efforts for important sites and at risk areas

The current condition of a feature is an important factor alongside its sensitivity and exposure, in determining its vulnerability to climate change. These recommendations are conservation measures aimed at those sites that will have the biggest impact for this feature – either because they are particularly important for the feature or because they are most at risk from climate change.

• Monitor the spread of tree diseases, in particular ash dieback, and ensure appropriate mitigation measures. However, deadwood is a very valuable habitat and should be left standing unless it is a public safety hazard.
• Manage visitor access to popular locations to minimise traffic, disturbance, footpath erosion and other negative environmental impacts.

Adaptations that could aid other features

These recommendations are changes that could be made to this feature, which will have a positive impact on the ability of other vulnerable features to withstand future climate change.

• In areas where it does not have a negative impact on the landscape character, establish trees to provide shade for wildlife, livestock and people and to regulate the temperature of watercourses.