Current condition, vulnerability and adaptive capacity of features

Open access land and public access

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Open access land and public access 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 varied current condition, and with moderate adaptive capacity.

Erosion could be one of the key potential impacts of climate change, as many paths are susceptible to extreme weather events and the most popular routes that are heavily used already suffer from erosion.

There is limited funding available particularly for larger projects. However new initiatives for fundraising such as the ‘Mend our Mountains’ campaign are having a positive impact for specific routes.

Transport links into the PDNP

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Transport links into the PDNP have been rated ‘low’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to moderate sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with a reasonable current condition, and high adaptive capacity.

Transport links in the PDNP are generally in good condition, but subject to some pressures including weather. Major routes are already susceptible to adverse weather with snowfall often leading to the closure of the high level routes. Increases in extreme weather conditions are therefore a key potential impact of climate change on the transport infrastructure.

However, research is now being carried out by organisations responsible for transport infrastructure to look at what measures can be undertaken to increase resilience to the potential impacts of climate change.

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.

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.

Lowland pastoral landscapes

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Lowland pastoral 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, coupled with a vulnerable current condition and moderate adaptive capacity.

Lowland pastoral landscapes in the PNDP are vulnerable to changes in economic and political conditions, with agricultural intensification already affecting the historical character of many farms. One of the key potential impacts of climate change is a change in land use, particularly a turn to more arable usage with fields ploughed and remaining flower rich grasslands lost. Many small dairy farms have already been lost and been replaced by larger holdings with an increased demand for larger building and fields, together with fewer meadows and more fodder crops. However, sustainable and sensitive farming techniques could be implemented more widely to help offset some climate change impacts.

High open moorlands 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.

Limestone dales

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

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.

Woodlands

Vulnerability rating
Potential impact rating
Adaptive capacity rating

Woodlands 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 poor fragmented current condition, and a moderate adaptive capacity.

Woodland condition in the PDNP is variable, with smaller patches generally in poor condition, but larger areas under SSSI protection faring better. Smaller woodlands with low tree species diversity are likely to be more vulnerable than those that are larger and more diverse. The area of woodland in the PDNP may be reduced by climate change, especially single species woodlands, though the demand for climate change mitigation may encourage new woodland creation.