Current condition, vulnerability and adaptive capacity of features

Bridges

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

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

The impact of changed precipitation regimes is likely to be the most significant for these features. An increase in erosion and the potential for structural damage through attrition or large flooding incidents could be detrimental, making all bridges more vulnerable. While traditional building materials and techniques have displayed a good deal of resistance to date, and it should be possible to repair some damage, irreplaceable historic information may be lost. There are a limited number of these features, and they have limited diversity. Non-designated bridges on privately owned land or not carrying public rights of way will possibly be the most vulnerable of these features as they are often little understood and may have limited monitoring and maintenance.

Farmsteads

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

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

Although there are farmsteads which are disused derelict or have been changed in use, the position within the PDNP is better than the status nationally. Farmsteads are sensitive to changes in agriculture, and although some funding is available for their conservation it is very limited and their future is uncertain.

Field barns and outfarms

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

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

However, changes to farming practices have led to these buildings being subject to high rate of abandonment and loss. Changes to the economics of farming and farming practices due to climate change may drive modernisation of some historical farm buildings, altering the traditional character. Greater extremes of temperature may also be damaging to buildings exposed to the elements. Despite this the position in the PDNP is much better than the picture nationally assisted by the diverse location and layouts.

Prehistoric burial mounds and ceremonial monuments

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

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

Prehistoric burial mounds and ceremonial monuments are in a vulnerable condition, with only half of those known intact. Climate change has the potential to accelerate damage to those structures remaining. Increased damage and attrition rates caused by expansion and contraction of stone and soil structures have the potential to play a role in the collapse of internal chambers. Increased visitor numbers in the PDNP, burrowing animals, and future changes to farming practices may be some of the most important climate driven factors to impact these features. These features are an irreplaceable and finite resource, susceptible to damage and loss. However appropriate protections and management should be able to at least partially offset the impacts of climate change. Neolithic sites are likely to be the most vulnerable as an overall resource due to their rarity, while unscheduled and unknown sites will be vulnerable because appropriate management actions are less likely to be put in place.

Prehistoric and Romano-British settlements, field systems and cairnfields

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Prehistoric and Roman-British settlements, field systems and cairnfields in the PDNP have been rated ‘moderate’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to moderate sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with a varying current condition, and a moderate adaptive capacity.

The current condition of all features is unknown as many have yet to be discovered, but of those that are known only 13% are in poor condition. Sites may be vulnerable to climate change following changes in farming practices, direct erosion and erosion of the soils around the features, and further growth of nuisance plant species. There are appropriate management and conservation actions to help these features adapt to climate change, however it is expected that a significant proportion of these sites have not been formally designated and therefore adaptations are less likely be put in place.

Abandoned places of industry

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Abandoned places of industry have been rated ‘high’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to high sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with a variable current condition, and a moderate adaptive capacity.

The current condition of these features across the PDNP is variable. Designation as a scheduled monument does provide some protection but only includes a small number of these sites. Climate change could have a major impact on abandoned sites of industry with workings underground potentially at risk from storm events or changes in groundwater levels that could lead to flooding and/or collapse. While appropriate management can partially counteract climate change, only a limited amount of funding is available.

Boundaries and patterns of enclosure

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Boundaries and patterns of enclosure have been rated ‘high’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to high sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with an often poor general condition, and a moderate adaptive capacity.

It is difficult to ascertain the overall current condition of dry stone walls as it is varied. However the condition of hedgerows is viewed as poor. Extreme weather is one of the key potential impacts increasing deterioration and maintenance costs leading to a greater risk of abandonment. Another is changes to land use, which may mean boundaries are removed to enlarge fields. Changing farming practices such as an increase in ploughing may affect earthwork features. Walls in poor condition are also often used as a source of stone to repair other walls.

There is limited funding available to improve these features and there is currently a shortage in terms of the number of people with the necessary dry stone walling skills needed for management and maintenance. Even the repair and rebuilding of walls, whilst retaining the landscape appearance, can remove or alter historic information that is very valuable (such as the physical relationships between features, or distinctive construction styles). Planting could improve hedgerows condition by filling in gaps and diversifying species. If not designated, prehistoric field systems are vulnerable to landscape change.

Estate lands and designed landscapes

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Estate lands and designed landscapes 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 moderate adaptive capacity.

Many estate lands are well managed and have ongoing maintenance and development plans. The current condition for those held in private ownership is more difficult to determine. Extreme events including heavy rainfall and flooding, but particularly drought, could have a significant impact on estate lands and designed landscapes. There is capacity for adaptation as most have a management plan or similar system in place. Some estates are also given protection through their registered status.

Managed moorland

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

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

Managed moorland is in an insecure condition in the PDNP, subject to numerous pressures and often dependent on agricultural payment schemes. It will be particularly sensitive to increases in wildfire and changes in annual precipitation regimes. This is due to the huge detrimental impact that wildfire can have on these landscapes and the sensitivity of the plants to water availability. Managed moorland has some capacity to adapt, but is reliant on funding to facilitate this.

Buried soils, archaeological remains and deposits

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Buried soils, archaeological remains and deposits in the PDNP have been rated ‘high’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to high sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables. Their current overall condition is difficult to ascertain, but they have a moderate adaptive capacity.

One of the key potential impacts to archaeological remains is drier summers and wetter winters which could cause direct damage and also change how the land is used. Previous drainage of bogs and other soils coupled with development, farming practices including ploughing have caused damaged these features already. Archaeological remains cannot recover once they are lost. Although work is taking place to restore PDNP wetlands, this is reliant on funding being available.

High open moorland and edges

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

High open moorland and edges in the PDNP have been rated ‘high’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to high sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with a very poor ‘non-functional’ current condition, and a moderate adaptive capacity.

High open moorland and edges in the PDNP are in generally poor condition, with blanket bog in the worst state ecologically and hydrologically. They are particularly sensitive to hotter, drier summers and the resulting wildfire and erosion potential. Moorland edges also often have a high heritage significance, and surface and buried archaeological features are very sensitive to factors such as changes in vegetation, soil erosion and wildfire.

High open moorland and edges have a moderate adaptive capacity, but realising this is reliant on economic subsidy and management regime agreement in the long term, unless radical changes to the landscape are allowed to take place. The adaptive capacity of archaeological sites is lower once they have reached the point of being exposed through soil erosion or wildfire for example.

Palaeoenvironmental remains and sequences

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

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

The current condition of these features is largely unknown due to their hidden nature, but certain areas such as the peat bogs of the Dark and South West Peak are known to be at risk. Climate change effects that expose deposits or alter soil conditions are likely to be damaging. As these features are buried any change in the surface conditions from extreme weather events will have a key potential impact. Sediments in underground sites, fissures and caves are equally important and must not be overlooked. These may be particularly vulnerable to environmental change.

There is very limited capacity for adaptation as once they are damaged the information that they contain cannot be recovered. However there are adaptations that can be made to help preserve the existing resource. These features are particularly significant where they can be related to other heritage features such as prehistoric settlement and field systems or human activity within caves, for example.

Show caves and caverns

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Show caves and caverns in the PDNP have been rated ‘moderate’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to moderate sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, a relatively stable current condition, and a moderate adaptive capacity.

An increase in flooding of the caverns is one of the key potential impacts of climate change. This could mean they close for longer and more regularly resulting in the attractions possibly becoming more seasonal. Changes in water levels and associated erosion could potentially damage historic features within the caves and caverns.

All four show caverns are in private ownership and appear to be reasonably sustainable businesses however it is not known what financial resources they have to invest in adaptations, and the range of changes that could be made is relatively limited. The feasibility of investing in natural flood management techniques in the catchment that feeds the caverns should be investigated.

Meadows

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Meadows and associated features in the PDNP have been rated ‘high’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to high sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with a varied current condition and highly fragmented habitats, but with a moderate adaptive capacity.

Meadows are already in a poor state in the PDNP, with only a few small patches with very limited connectivity remaining. Climate change impacts are unavoidable; key plants and their associated species may be lost. Some meadow species will be unable to thrive with changes in weather, leading to habitat change. Agricultural intensification caused by pressure to grow more food may lead to further habitat loss. A mismatch between flowering and pollination timings may lead to a decrease in some plants. Pollution may cause changes to soil composition. Hay-making may become difficult due to unpredictable weather. Overall, climate change stressors are likely to lead a loss of habitat and biodiversity.

Dew ponds and other ponds

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Dew ponds and other ponds in the PDNP have been rated ‘very high’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to high sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with a poor current condition, and a low adaptive capacity.

Extreme events including flood and drought could have a significant impact on this feature, reducing their functionality and potentially leading to ponds being abandoned or infilled. Dew ponds with intact historic surfaces (clay and cobbles) are becoming increasingly rare. The adaptive capacity of this feature is low as there are a limited number that are functional. PDNPA funding is currently available for pond restoration, but this is very limited.

Reservoirs and water management

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

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

Increased rainfall could impact on reservoirs and water management features if there is not enough storage or carrying capacity. The risk of flood to areas downstream could damage historic buildings and mills.

As the historic sites cannot be moved or relocated their adaptive capacity is moderate. While repairs or adaption may be possible they may result in the reduction in historic value.

Lead mining

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Lead mining in the PDNP has been rated ‘high’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to high sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with a highly variable current condition, and moderate adaptive capacity.

Lead mining remains in the PDNP are in variable condition, some high value sites are in very good condition, but many other hillocks and sites of ecological interest have been degraded. Changes in the climate could have a major direct impact on these sites altering the composition of the important calaminarian grassland habitats, while increased storm events could lead to pollution further downstream and damage to remaining archaeological features. Spoil tips and workings often comprise loose soils and deposits that are very vulnerable to erosion by wind water and abrasion. Surface features are particularly vulnerable to agricultural improvement, such as infilling and levelling. While some calaminarian grassland species have capacity to adapt, sites are fragmented and recovery from damaging events may be slow. Archaeological features have less adaptive capacity and should be considered a non-replaceable resource. Factors which may help to partially offset climate stressors include the good diversity of archaeological features which still exist, the diverse micro-topography of the remaining lead landscape, and the relatively well-studied nature of assets in the PDNP.