Editorial First International Symposium on the done in this issue. Contents On our part, it was a moment of joy Welcome to issue 30 of Earth science Conservation ofour Geological Heritage and great discovery for the entire staff conservation and a new era in geological First International SynlposiUlD on the Conservation ofour of the General Secretariat when all the and geomorphological conservation ­ Geological Heritage Placed under UNESCO patronage, Netherlands, Morocco, Nigeria, names that had been listed on the both nationally and internationally. Articles by Guy Martini and Mick Stanley appraise this historic meeting 3 the First International Symposium on Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, computer screens finally appeared in This year has seen the replacement of the Conservation of our Geological Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, person. the Nature Conservancy Council with Pwll Y Wrach Geology Trail Heritage took place in Digne, France, USSR, Wales and Yugoslavia. I would like to take advantage of three new country conservation - practical conservation by an amateur geology group 9 between 11 and 15 June 1991. The two articles that follow, the first these few lines to thank all the staff agencies in England, Scotland and More than 120 specialists from 30 by Guy Martini, General Secretary who enabled the Symposium to be a Wales. It has seen the widespread different nations 'were brought and architect of the Symposium, and success - Irene, Sylvie, Brigitte, Sylvie The French Jurassic connection 11 acceptance of Earth science conservation together to establish, for the first time, the second by Mick Stanley, Chainnan and Nathalie from the General in Great Britain - a strategy as a a world-wide review of the protection of the Geological Society Conservation Secretariat, our translators: Jillian, coherent vision and source of practical Quaternary/geomorphological conservation conference of geological and geomorphological Committee, give a flavour of this Lionel and Ronald, and the geologists guidance for the future. And it has - spring 1992 12 features. meeting - a meeting which was, from the Reserve: Jean-Simon, seen the meeting in France of 120 The countries represented at the without doubt, the most important Nadine, Joelle and Myette. specialists from 30 countries for the Forestry and the earth sciences Symposium included: Australia, and influential earth science How can I best assess this First International Symposium on the - an upland issue 13 Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, conservation event to ever have taken Symposium? Conservation of our Geological Columbia, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, place, and which has provided a £inn Firstly, it was an enriching meeting foundation for international co­ Heritage. Key sites go to inquiry 15 England, Finland, France, Gennany, which took place very hannoniously. Earth science conservation is also Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, operation in the future.• It highlighted, in my view, the convergence of our ideas and our entering a new era. The magazine is Keeping back the waves l 7 now compiled by a new editorial team, actions, whatever our geographical, with each country agency having a geological or cultural specificity may representative on the editorial board ­ Changes in the planning system be. Matthew Bennett for English Nature, - new opportunities for earth science conservation 20 Besides the phenomenon of meeting Alan McKirdy for the Nature together, of the acknowledgement and Conservancy Council for Scotland and New Dlarine reptile find in the Oxford Clay 20 Guy Martini, Director, Reserve Environment rapidly endorsed the sharing of experiences, the great Stewart Campbell for the Countryside Geologique de Haute-Provence idea with financial support ($20,000) achievement of the Symposium was Council for Wales. I have replaced RIGS update 22 and General Secretary ofthe First followed by the Conseil Regional the drafting and adoption of our Des O'Halloran as managing editor. International Synlposium on the Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur 'International Declaration of the Rights of the Memory of the Earth'. The energy and commitment which Alien mineral specimens 23 Conservation ofour Geological ($20,000) and by the Conseil General Des devoted to the magazine are Heritage des Alpes de Haute-Provence, as well Some could be tempted to say, "yet mirrored in its recent evolution and as the city of Digne ($10,000). An another declaration serving no Site conservation at Clava SSSI success - his efforts are duly The idea of this Symposium took important J'!1vate... partner, . the purpose". But not in my view. And - a Pleistocene enigma resolved? 24 acknowledged. shape in the summer of 1990 in Lom, Electricity of France Foundation, many during the Symposium said the This and future issues of Earth Norway, at a meeting of the European wishing to participate as a sponsor of same. One of the greatest problems science conservation will incorporate Cave conservation moves forward 26 Working Group on Earth Science the Symposium, provided financial for the protection of our geological further changes recommended by our Conservation (EWGESC), which was support to the order of $20,000. heritage rests essentially on the readers in a recent questionnaire Mam Tor organised by our colleague Lars Finally, after several fruitful and difficulty of obtaining any acknowl­ survey. Whilst contir:m.ing a keen - road to nowhere 27 Erikstad of the Norwegian Institute amicable contacts with Dr Ischwaran edgement that it is a heritage at all. interest in earth science conservation, for Nature Research. It was the first and Dr Dudich from the Department How can one hope to protect something when the public, and the survey has provided us with New sites for old time that I had met this newly created of Earth Sciences at the United consequently the legislators, do not valuable information about the - new access details 27 group and it was a pleasure to Nations Educational, Scientific and professional backgrounds and discover a large number of colleagues Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), perceive its value and therefore the specialisms of our readership. This equally fascinated by their occupation this orgapisation agreed that the necessity for its protection? should allow us to cater more and ready to exchange their Symposium be placed under its This situation was acknowledged during the Symposium - our effectively for a wide ranging audience Earth science conservation is a twice yearly journal produced for the earth science experiences and reflections. patronage. geological heritage is all too often and ensure a broad, balanced content. conservation community by English Nature, the Nature Conservancy Council for At the end of this meeting, I had the The budget was established and the Specific areas of change will include: Scotland and the Countryside Council for Wales. We would like to thank all pleasure of proposing, and seeing funds raised, sufficient to provide considered as something belonging to scientists and a far cry from the daily those who have assisted with the preparation of the magazine. However, the accepted, that the next EWGESC financial assistance to a certain • more emphasis on strategic, opinions expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the above meeting be held in France; a meeting number of colleagues who, unable to worries of the public. technical and practical issues agencies. Contact addresses for the editorial board are as follows: that I wished to see associated with a " find the necessary funding within their Thus, to succeed in drawing up a larger, more international event which own organisations, were still able to text together that would fmally • greater readership involvement and Managing editor Mike Harley, English Nature, Northminster House, could - indeed why not - become the participate in the Symposium. present our geological heritage use of external contributors Peterborough PEl 1UA (Telephone 0733-340345). First International Symposium on the This was then followed by all the without one scientific word, and place Conservation of our Geological classic organisational work - circulars, it in a global report on Man and the • a simplified 'easy to read' fonnat. Editors Matthew Bennett (as above). Heritage. technical organisation and applications Earth, seems to me indispensable, Earth science conservation should not Alan McKirdy, Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland, Having accepted the idea, the to the French Embassies abroad. indeed of paramount importance. be seen as the 'twice yearly report' of Bonnington Bond, 2 Anderson Place, EWGESC agreed to co-produce the Needless to say, the entire period of And I think we did it. the country conservation agencies, but Edinburgh EH6 5NP (Telephone 031-554-9797). Symposium, the other co-producer preparation for the Symposium was a I shall not comment on this text. It as the organ of the earth science being the Conference Pennanente des genuine adventure for all the secretarial suffices to read it. I only hope that conservation community as a whole. Stewart Campbell, Countryside Council for Wales, Plas Reserves Naturelles (CPRN), the staff and myself, inspiring more and you will like it as much as I, and all Penrhos, Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, Gwynedd It is the only magazine of its type, so French federative organisation more enthusiasm as it progressed. those who participated in writing it, LL57 2LQ (Telephone 0248-370444). may I close by making a request for grouping together all the national It is difficult to talk about the do. contributions - articles, news items or Cover photo: Haute-Provence Gorge in the Reserve Geologique de Haute­ natural reserves. Symposium itself and how it went. So what is our future? letters - from you, our readers. Its your Provence - a suitable backdrop to the First International Symposium on the Once the co-producers had been I think it is the participants As mentioned earlier, the future of magazine, after all! Conservation of our Geological Heritage held at Digne, France, in June. found, the necessary funds had to be themselves who should comment on our work must lead to the popular Mike Harley (Photo by Stewart Campbell) sought. The French Ministry of the this, as my friend Mick Stanley has 'appropriation', in the true sense of 2 3 the word, of our geological heritage and its significance. This will take a The Digne Syntposium - a personal view long time but it has already started on an international level. IJ ternational Declaratio Mick Stanley, Chainnan, 'Rhythm and Blues' until midnight ­ (Blackwell Scientific Publications). Furthermore, it seems clear that, Geological Society Conservation this after a civic reception and visit to The first two days of the within the organisations in our own ofthe Rights oftl3e COlnmittee Notre Dame du Bourg Cathedral for a Symposium were given over to countries, we often lack the power to presentation of Paleolithic songs. presentations outlining the state of work efficiently. Admittedly, the Earl, The delightful spa town of Digne les And, as must be expected, the cuisine and approaches to earth science beginning of an European body emory ofthe Bains, surrounded by the mountains and liquid accompaniments, especially conservation in 30 different countries, attempts to exist with the EWGESC. of Haute-Proveqce, provided a perfect the bottles of Luberon, were excellent. 24 of which were European. However, the Symposium in Digne 1 just as human life is recognized CL'; being unique, the time setting for the First International Finally, to set the scene in typically In Germany for example, despite a also brought to light that the has come to recognize the uniqueness oJthe Earth. Symposium on the Conservation of French manner, public relations were long tradition in conservation, there is protection of our geological heritage is our Geological Heritage. The s'uperb and inspiring. 'La Poste' still no national programme for a problem on a planetary level. 2 Mother Earth supports us. lVe are each and all linked to Symposium was a landmark in provided a hand-franking service with protecting earth science sites ­ How can we be totally satisfied her, she is the link between 'Us. international earth science a special postmark for the although each state follows its own working for the protection of the conservation - a meeting of 120 earth Symposium. And no less than 22 conservation policies. Consequently, geological sites in Europe when in 3 The Emth is 4.5 billion years old and the cradle oflife, of scientists from 30 countries with the articles on many aspects of the no geological sites of national or numerous underprivileged countries, renewal and ofthe metamorphosis oflife. Its long sole aim of exchanging ideas and meeting appeared in the local and international importance have been important parts of this memory of the learning new conservation techniques. regional press - Le Provencal and declared and no geological Natural Earth are destroyed every day? evolution. its slow rise to maturiZV. has sbaped the During the three days of the Nice-Matin ran at least two articles Parks exist. It is hoped that the This Symposium, therefore, should e11vironment iu 'which we live. Symposium, 64 papers were each day on the previous day's European Community will set be the basis of an organisation that we presented, with simultaneous discussions. Only the British conservation guidelines to help protect still have to build; the creation of an 4 Our history and the history ofthe ECl1th are closely linked. translation in English and French. An Association can command such important sites. official and representative Its origins are our origins, its history is our history and its additional two and a half days of field coverage here. Australia has witnessed the use of international body for the protection future will be ourJitture. trips were enjoyed by some, and these sacrificial sites in an attempt to solve of our geological heritage; a body at provided an opportunity to examine The Sytllposium serious over-collecting problems at the centre of which should be 5 The aspect ofthe Earth, its very being. is our environment. some outstanding sites and the classic localities cited in the World represented, not only the institutions This environment is differ'ent, notonlyfrom thal ofthe mechanisms used to protect them. Space does not allow for more than Heritage List. Clearly such sites officially commissioned to work for past, but also };-o112 that ofthefuture. We are but th The magnificent weather and the a brief mention of the words spoken should have a sound management plan the protection of our geological Earth companion with nofinali(y. we ortfy pass hJ. townspeople of Digne conspired to and, inevitably, much was discussed before being proposed and adopted. heritage, but also individuals, whether s make this a very memorable meeting. between sessions which remains Federal earth science conservation scientific or private, who have been The Symposium was held in the unrecorded. However, abstracts of legislation is of little significance in proclaiming for many years that the 6 Just as an old tree keeps all the recQt'ds ofits growth and Desmichels Centre in the middle of the Symposium's proceedings are Austria, although 630 sites out of a geological heritage is to our common life, the Earth retains memories ofits past ... A record Digne. Opposite, in the town square, available in Terra Abstracts Supplement provisional list of 700 do have some good and should be protected. inscribed both in its deptbs and 011 tbe surface, i11 the many delegates enjoyed outdoor 2 to Terra Nova Volume 3, 1991 form of protection. This organisation could thus be a 'ocks and in the landscapes, Cl record which can be read tool for pressure on the institutions of and translated. international representation, it could enable the release of special 7 lVe bave alwa.vs been aware 0./ the need to presen)e our intervention funds and it could also be memories - le our cultural heritage. Now the time bas a considerable support for numerous come to protect our natural heritage, the enuiron112enf. colleagues in this field, barely The past ofthe Earth is no less important than that of recognised by their own governments. human-beings. Now it is time for us to learn to protect. The future should also include a and by doing so, 10 learn about the past ofthe Earth, to Second International Symposium on the Conservation of our Geological read this book written before our advent: that is our Heritage... maybe in 1993? And why geological heritage. not organised by our colleagues in Great Britain? 8 lfie and the Emth share our common heritage. We and To conclude, following this governments are but the custodians ofthis heritage. Each Symposium, it seems more and more and everyl human-being should understand that (be obvious that we have a role to play, slightest depredatiOn mutilates, destroys and leadS to other than the simply technical or irreversible losses. Anyform ofdevelopment should pedagogical, in protecting geological respect the singularity ofthis heritage. sites. With the 'International Declaration 9 The participants ofthe First International Symposium on of the Rights of the Memory of the the Conservation 0/our Geological Heritage, induding Earth', we have formalized the place 100 30 and significance of our geological over specialistsfram Olley nations, urgenll) heritage within the Man-Earth request all national and international authorities to take relationship. into consideration Cl1"zd to protect this !;Jeritage by means In this relationship, we have taken 01 all the necessaty legal. financial and organizational on great responsibility - as translators measures. of this memory engraved in rocks and lVritten 017, tbe 13.!une 1991 in Digne. France landscapes, we can 'let Earth talk' so that it recounts its history, the history of our origins, our history... Let us see to it that we give it its The 'International Declaration of the Rights of the Memory of the Earth' was true words. unanimously adopted during the plenary assembly closing the Symposium. Les Isnards ammonite slab, in the Haute-Provence Geological Reserve, remains undamaged after 10 years without physical protection. 4 5 public awareness campaign is In Holland, the legal base for earth Symposium comprised three parallel interest. 'Fundamentals in earth proposed to educate visitors using a science conservation has been firmly sessions. One explored legislation and science conservation', an Anglo-Irish­ cartoon approach. established in the national Nature specific national experiences, with If Norwegian paper, reviewed the Hungary has many well protected Policy Plan of 1990, in which 119 papers from France, Belgium, 'values' used to select sites - human sites of great scientific and educational sites of national and international Norway, Germany and Spain. A centred values such as science, value but these are unknown to the importance were selected for second reviewed the state of geological education and amenity; intrinsic values public. Maps and publications to protection. Their future depends on reached. Magnificent scenery where in which natural features have a right guide the non-professional are not the integration of earth science into the Verdun has cut up to 200 metres to exist and should be preserved commercially available and no earth the community by a variety of means, heritage protection - considering irrespective ofhuman need; and mixed science is taught in schools. That vital including symposia, popular books applied conservation techniques and values where human and intrinsic and necessary link between earth and pamphlets, mass-produced means; while a third looked at the values are combined to protect, for science and the public is totally videos, public excursions and regular promotion of earth science example, a fine view or an evocative absent, but very much needed. articles in the national and local press. conservation through the media and landscape. This was coupled with the In Ireland, both the Wildlife Service The state of earth science education. As ever with parallel concept of sustainable development, in and the local authorities have an earth conservation in eastern Europe is sessions, it was difficult, if not which each generation passes on science conservation remit, but good in parts. Generally, and perhaps impossible, to decide which to attend. 'wealth', including the environment, to neither employs earth scientists. not surprisingly, there has been much The second session, however, seemed the next. Conservation expertise is virtually legislation but, as in the west, only in to present a good cross section of A paper by Erikstad considered the non-existent in the earth science the last 30 years has earth science community and research is not being conservation been separated from undertaken on earth science Areas of wildlife conservation. Scientific Interest. A change in Poland has 40 geological Nature attitude may improve the prospects Reserves and 1550 Nature for the future of sites; however other Monuments protected under a nature aspects need attention too. For conservation act passed in 1949. example, new legislation might redress Barrande's work in Bohemia wrought the imbalance between wildlife and the first site protection in earth science conservation and Czechoslovakia in 1884, but increased provide a mechanism for purchasing protection came in 1956 with State sites. Equally important is the need Law No. 40 on the Conservation of for more comprehensive site selection Nature. Practical conservation ensues criteria, a monitoring system and, from cooperation between the state perhaps, a European funding scheme conservation agencies and voluntary to help local services protect members of the Czech Union for landscape areas. Nature Conservation. Romania's 168 The Norwegian Nature geological reserves include 49 Conservation Act, dating from 1970, palaeontological sites, 43 geological makes it possible to set up Landscape phenomena, 28 caves and 48 localities Protected Areas, National Parks, of mixed interest. Years of Nature Reserves and Natural communist doctrine, which led to site Monuments. Each of these is of destruction through over-exploitation particular importance in earth science of resources for industry, has ceased conservation - for example Natural and a student scientific organisation, Monuments are sites used or affected set up in 1978 for the preservation of by human activity. Even with this the geological heritage, has now sophisticated legislation, fjords are still become an official body connected not protected. Quaternary sites with the ecological movement. generally pose the most problems as Current umest in Yugoslavia could sand and gravel is much needed in an curtail earth science conservation economy hungry for building work in Croatia. There are no federal materials. Sites have been saved by laws and each republic has its own paying compensation to the developer, nature protection legislation. With but the need to have supply near to independence in mind, resources will demand means that compensation is probably be diverted to more pressing An information board describes the Les Isnards site and warns visitors of destructive becoming increasingly difficult to needs. practices. afford. The largest conservation area discussed at the Symposium was the Denmark is dominated by soft use the material to improve its Ifsophistication brings its own Popigai Astroblema near the Taimyr sediment exposures and glacial collections. This could, however, problems, then so does a lack of Peninsula in the USSR. This vast landforms, and has registered about cause conservation problems at rich development in a country. Columbia impact crater, 100 kilometres in 200 sites of national and international fossil sites. and Niger share common problems. diameter, has a beautiful wild arctic importance. Protection is achieved In France, eight percent of Natural The infrastructure for policing landscape and, following recent events through a nature conservation act and Reserves are geological. Collecting protected sites and preserving in the USSR, may be developed as a a modem planning system. Further fossils is tolerated, but only from specimens is weak or absent. Access tourist attraction. protection is provided by 'Danekrae', naturally unearthed material and only is difficult or impossible to control, The final morning of the a new act which states that minerals in limited quantities. Excavation, and management of sites and a and fossils of exceptional scientific hammering or walking on exposures is coherent public relations exercise are The]a Pass ichthyosaur, again in the value belong to the state. A reward is forbidden. Further legislation is being urgently required. The latter are not, Haute-Provence Geological Reserve, is of course, confined to developing given to the finder by the local sought to more rigorously control protected in situ under a plexiglass dome ­ museum, which theoretically should activities at fossiliferous sites and a countries. described as a 'site museum'. 6 7 reached. Magnificent scenery where the Verdun has cut up to 2000 meters Pwll Y Wrach Geology Trail in Portlandian, Berriasian and Valanginian limestones was followed by the pretty and historic town of - practical conservation Moustiers Ste Marie of faience (earthenware) fame. by an amateur geology group Next the Luberon Natural Regional Park, where Oligocene limestones contain footprints and remains of Duncan Hawley, Brecknock forms a cap rock to underlying softer horses, birds and carnivores. Wildlife Trust mudstones, densely packed with Protection is given against all but the Skolithos-type trace fossils of marine elements. In the foothills of the Black origin. The mudstones also display a Apt palaeontological museum was a Mountains in Powys, near the small series of inter-nested curved cracks or gem. Home grown, with good detail for town of Talgarth, lies a steep-sided pseudo-anticlines (fractures that a technological, ifa bit gimmicky, wooded valley. This valley, a develop in association with calcrete), approach to explaining and interpreting woodland SSSI, was bought by here unusually exposed in three the local geology. Lunch in the Brecknock Wildlife Trust for its dimensions. museum garden was another gem. floristic interest and opened as a Some 50 metres above the waterfall Roques-Hautes dinosaur egg site Nature Reserve in 1984. At the time, lies a large abandoned quarry which was an anticlimax. The introduction the Trust did not realise that they had was used as a source of sandstone for given during the Symposium prepared also invested in an important building a local hospital at the end of the ground for the visit and wetted the geological site. This was recognised a the last century. The quarry face appetite, but the site was a few years later, when the Trust's shows superb examples of fluvial disappointment. Part of one egg is not Geology Group became active. sediments typical of a meandering the same as a clutch! river. An old tramway leading from Lying at the foot of Sainte Victoire The geological background the quarry provides further small rock Mountain, made famous by Cezanne, outcrops displaying trace fossils and a are four ridges of Upper Cretaceous The River Enig, in cutting its conglomeratic cornstone containing 'Rognacian' limestone, interspersed course down from the mountains, has fragments of fossil fish. with red silts and sandstones. revealed the underlying bedrock. The At Pwll Y Wrach, it is possible to Dinosaur eggs can be found in the silts waterfall of Pwll Y Wrach (the see the transition from Downtonian to Visitors view the Ja Pass skeleton from European Working Group on Earth For example, Les Isnards ammonite and sands above, as well as below, the Witches' Pool), a popular local Dittonian rocks of the Old Red outside the dome. Science Conservation and launched at slab shows a Sinemurian fauna limestone. attraction, exists as a result of the Sandstone - a transition from marine, a media event which closed the including Coroniceras multicostatum. It A recent survey by staff of the local geolo&}'. At the top of the through pedogenic, to fluvial Symposium. cannot be hammered, collected, Haute-Provence Geological Reserve waterfall crops out the Psammosteus sediments which tell a story of two sets of criteria used to select sites My last thought, however, comes walked on or vandalised. After 10 revealed that fossiliferous sites were Limestone, a hard nodular calcrete (a environmental change that took place for protection in Norway. The from a Danish paper. "Our years without physical protection, the being slowly destroyed by fossil semi-arid soil precipitate) which some 400 million years ago. The primary set includes rarity, diversity, landscapes are not only cultivated but site has received no unwelcome development and collectors. The typicalness and naturalness. Threat real cultural landscapes, where all the attention. Roques-Hautes site, which is publicly Date Task and vulnerability are useful original features of the The Jas Pass ichthyosaur is owned, has been brought under conservation values but not selection geologicaVgeomorphological surface protected under a plexiglass dome. In statutory control as a Natural Early/mid 1990 Seek consent and advice from Nature'Conservancy Council criteria. The secondary set are human are destroyed and lost for ever. situ preserVation is preferable and Geological Reserve. This was judged values such as the potential for Seek advice from Brecon Beacons National Park Cultural landscapes are created at the particularly important in terms of necessary as the area's pine forest, scientific research or education, and Seek advice from local schools expense of natural ones, but we must maximising the educational potential previously masking the red beds, was aesthetic considerations. Used Investigate geology of site educate and teach people the of the site. The public, too, can see totally destroyed by fire in August together, the two sets provide a sound Plan and provisionally mark out trail difference between nature and culture the value of preservation here. The 1989. The removal of the plant cover approach to site selection on a national Clear rubbish from quarry otherwise new generations will not site is further protected by the long made erosion more easy and this, or international scale. understand or trust the value of earth uphill walk necessary to view the fossil. coupled with development pressure UNESCO's World Heritage List, Mid/late 1990 Arrange site visit with Nature Conservancy Council and science conservation". A Miocene marine molasse shows and collecting, mainly by foreigners, onthe other hand, was found wanting Brecon Beacons National Park bird footprints - except that the ripple resulted in the need for enhanced where site selection criteria were Clear vegetation from rock exposures The field trip fme-grained sandstone surface with protection. This was probably the concerned. Too few, liberally Replace 'no tipping' signs footprints is fibreglass and not only site where denial of hammering interpreted by individuals pushing Find funding for trail leaflet A network exists in the Provence­ sandstone. The fibreglass replica was and collecting was justified. their particular likes or ignoring the Alpes-Cote d'Azur region to develop created to avoid visitors being knocked Find funding for site information board I left France, unfortunately missing proposals altogether, gives rise to sites down while viewing the original on a Erect stiles/improve paths along route an administrative policy for protected the Camargue visit, with a feeling that as widely different as St Kilda and the blind bend just down the road. Construct steps in quarry side natural spaces. Most of the 17 earth science conservation in France Burgess Shale. Surely Africa, South Regional National Parks or Natural If palaeontological sites are totally was about 10 years behind the current America and Asia can more than Reserves were established between protected, so are sedimentary sites. Late 1990/ Design and print trail leaflet British approach, but wishing that match the 16 from the British Isles. 1970 and 1975, and have only been The Clue de Barles, narrow gorges cut early 1991 Design site information board SSSIs were as safe as Natural Or maybe examples of major stages, networked since 1988. All parks and by the Bes, has sub-vertical sole Erect site information board Geological Reserves. structures and active processes are reserves now work under the strong features beautifully displayed in Mark out trail with posts better in northern Europe than umbrella of the Regional Berriasian red calcarenite. AcknowledgelI1ents elsewhere! Environmental Agency, which has Mrs Amileh's restaurant in Barles, July 1991 Arrange official opening of trail The final session of the Symposium both a coordinating and funding role like the Hermitage hotel where most I wish to gratefully acknowledge the saw the adoption of the 'International in the region, and allocated one delegates stayed in Digne, was difficult Geological Society, whom I Declaration of the Rights of the million Francs to the geological to leave. After passing through the Work programme drawn up by Brecknock Wildlife Trust for their Pwll Y Wrach represented at Digne, and who Memory of the Earth'. Conceived by heritage in 1990. Cash input has lavender fields and truffle-bearing oak Geology Trail project. Those involved included the Trust's Geology Group, provided the funding for me to attend Guy Martini, the declaration was materially aided the conservation of plantations of the Valensole Plateau, Employment Training Team and Conservation Work Party, and Brecon Beacons the Symposium.• worked-up by members of the sites visited during the field trip. the Verdun Canyon was eventually National Park. 8 9 Geology Group were keen to help members of the Trust and visitors to the site explore and gain an understanding of the rock exposures which could be encountered on a walk through the Reserve, and proposed the development of a geological trail at the site.

Site conservation and interpretation

With the help of the Trust's Conservation Officer, a feasibility study was undertaken to assess the probable impact of a trail on the Reserve and whether the exposures could be made clean, safe and accessible. This was presented to the Conservation Committee of the Trust, who gave their approval to the project. A work programme was drawn up to itemise and timetable tasks identified in the study, with an official opening date targeted to coincide with Welsh Geology Week in July 1991. The Geology Group organised a series of conservation working parties and, with picks, shovels, wire brushes, secateurs and saws, set about such tasks as creating and improving footpaths to link exposures, erecting stiles and clearing vegetation. Liaison with the botanical experts in the Trust ensured that important woodland species, often blocking footpaths or obscuring outcrops, were not destroyed but managed by prudent prunmg. Vast quantities of rubbish Association for grant aid to assist in Dr Eric Robinson, President of the (including old frictges, washing the production of these materials. Geologists' Association, unveils a site machines and vehicles) that had been The site information board was information board at the opening of the dumped in the quarry over the years erected at the viewing platform by the Pwll Y Wrach Geology Trail. were hoisted onto a waiting lorry, Witches' Pool and waterfall. The supplied by arrangement with the board is designed not only to inform President of the Geologists' District Council, and removed to an and interpret, but also to encourage Association, on July 6th 1991 as an officiallandfill site. The geolop-i.cal visitors to explore the rocks for official event in Welsh Geology Week. sequence at the top of the waterfall themselves. The opening was attended by could not be viewed easily or safely, so The trail leaflet gives background representatives from the Countryside an exposure of Psammosteus information on the palaeogeography Council for Wales, University College Limestone and underlying sediments of the early Devonian, then directs the of Wales Cardiff, Brecon Beacons was created by digging away a bank, visitor in a circular route around the National Park, Powys County Council and an observation platform built to six exposures on the trail. It has been and the local community of Talgarth, aid study. And a controlled deliberately written in a graded as well as by a large number of Trust hammering exercise has been fashion, starting with basic ideas and members. implemented at the cornstone outcrop observations, building into more Since then, there have been on the old tramway. Here blocks have detailed descriptions and frequent reports of visitors studying been deliberately broken from the face observations. Technical jargon has the site information board, then taking Kevin Page, English Nature exemplified during a field visit to a site Important biostratigraphic horizons are and scattered below to enable visitors been largely avoided and there is a a closer look at the rocks, and of near the small town of Thouars, marked by plaques and casts of key to search for fish fragments without strong thematic thread to help visitors others wandering along the paths with The Third International Symposium where the Toarcian Stage of the ammonites. recourse to hammering the exposure. relate one exposure to another. Trail trail leaflets in hand. This speaks on Jurassic Stratigraphy, held in Jurassic System was first identified in Site interpretation was seen as an leaflets are sold in shops in Talgarth, volumes about the power of amateurs Poitiers (France) during September, the mid-18th Century. The site is seen as being an integral part of their important facet of the trail and it was as well as the Trust office in Brecon. in the advancement of earth science provided research workers with a protected as a geological reserve and local heritage, along-side the town's decided to target this at two levels ­ conservation! varied programme of thematic provides a superb example of what architecture and wine. This sense of the casual visitor via a site information The opening of the trail Pwll Y Wrach Geology Trail leaflets lectures, workshops and field visits. can be achieved through the pride is manifested in the board, and the interested visitor are available, price SOp each Throughout the meeting, delegates cooperation of professional geologists management of the site. The local through a more detailed trail leaflet. The Brecknock Wildlife Trust was (including postage), from Brecknock expressed a common concern for the and local people. council carry out most of the day-to­ A successful application was made to honoured to have the trail officially Wildlife Trust, Lion House, Lion effective conservation of important The residents of Thouars have an day maintenance, as well as the Curry Fund of the Geologists' opened by Dr Eric Robinson, Yard, Brecon, Powys LD3 7AY.• stratigraphic localities. This was intense pride in their reserve. It is controlling access. This enthusiasm 10 11 Forestry and the earth sciences - an uplands issue Quaternaryl geoDlorphological conservation conference ­ spring 1992

The particular problems associated with conserving Quaternary and active process sites, together with technical and legislative solutions, have been discussed amongst research workers and conservationists for many years. To bring together organisations and individuals with interests in this subject area and to provide a forum for information exchange and debate, a working group comprising the Geological Society, Quaternary Research Association, British Geomorphological Research Group, Royal Geographical Society, Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland, Countryside Council for Wales and English Nature have organised a conference entitled 'Conserving our landscape: evolving landforms and ice age heritage'. The conference will be based at Crewe between 15 and 17 May 1992, and will focus on the Peak District and Cheshire Plain. A single day of presentations will be followed by two days of field visits. The main themes to be addressed will be the conservation of:

• active river systems and ~'~\~~~Thethreats: has been fostered by the geological One of the excellent site infonnation coastal features community, who have not only sought boards at the geological reserve at Alan McKirdy, Nature Afforestation has almost totally obscured geology obscured Conservancy Council for Scotland this rock outcrop. to explain the importance of the site to Thouars. • man-made exposures and local people, but have also openly mineral extraction sites When mapping upland sites, the expressed appreciation for their Much accused over recent years as impossible. However, the Forestry interrelationship of rock outcrops support. Local involvement of this provides visitors with an • upland landforms and deposits. being despoilers of our upland Commission and private forestry can be critical to their scientific kind provides the ultimate solution to understanding of the principals of habitats, the forestry industry is now companies have been faced with a interpretation, particularly where problems such as vandalism and fly­ biostratigraphy and of the Karst and caves will also be taking real steps to address nature genuine lack of information on the rapid changes in rock type occur or tipping, which are recurrent at many evolutionary pattern of ammonites, considered, as will landslips, civil conservation as new forestry schemes location of important sites and there complex geological structures need British localities. each with its own distinctive form, engineering, the legislative are drawn up with a keener sensitivity was little appreciation of the problems to be traced in detail. Extensive The interpretation of the site's during the Toarcian Stage. framework, voluntary to a variety of environmental issues. which new planting could cause. afforestation can render exposures stratigraphic interest is excellent. A The reserve at Thouars provides a conservation initiatives and links As a major land manager in upland inaccessible or difficult to relate to series of site information boards, first rate example of what can be with wildlife and archaeological Britain, the forestry industry has a Cooperation in conservation other outcrops. Increased moss pamphlets and guide books are achieved in increasing public conservation. vital role to play in determining the growth on shaded rock faces and designed to interact with the awareness and understanding of It is hoped that a publication extent to which earth science The situation is now changing burial of outcrops under leaf litter geological exposures. On the quarry geology, and involvement in geological will result from the conference, conservation can be effective. In the rapidly. Sensitive design and serve to compound this problem. faces, important horizons are marked conservation. Its success is based on with a report in a future issue of past, forestry has posed a considerable management proposals for new Large areas can be effectively by plaques, and casts of key fossils are two of the most important Earth science conservation. For threat. The negative effects of tree plantations allow for the conservation 'frozen' from study for the life of a mounted at the exact level from which cornerstones of any conservation further information, please planting near rock outcrops or on of geological features. Information on plantation. Old mine workings and they were originally obtained. This scheme - the support of local people contact Chris Stevens at English landforms are obvious - mapping and SSSIs and RIGS supplied to the dumps may be threatened too as simple exercise conveys a complex and clear imaginative presentation of Nature. visual interpretation of large upland Forestry Commission at the planning ground is regraded for planting. body of information extremely well. It geological information. sites can be rendered virtually stage should ensure that planting 12 13 schemes are modified to incorporate Commission now encourages approach to resolving one of the Key sites go to conservation needs. This sense of Regional Planning Authorities to draw country's most controversial Forest nature conservatio cooperation is firmly embodied in the up Indicative Forestry Strategies (IFS) environmental issues. inquiry Forestry Commission's Forest nature and has provided guidance on how guidelines conservation guidelines, published in this should be done. The purpose of Next steps Colin Prosser, English Nature 1990. the IFS approach is to identify opportunities for new planting, while Forestry practice remains, however, an The Forestry Commission's guidelines aim to give those in the forestry Since April this year, English Nature area where further work is required. industry practical guidance on nature conservation. Indicative Forestry Strategies taking into account environmental has fought two Public Inquiries in and other sensitivities. Each IFS The Forest nature conservation guidelines defence of geological SSSIs. The first divides its Region up into a number of are a very useful starting point, but New developments in land use A duty in law of these concerned the Bartonian more detailed discussion and research , planning are also giving cause for zones: Stratotype on the Hampshire - Dorset into new techniques and procedures is optimism. In Scotland, the Forestry The Forestry Act of 1967 was amended by the Wildlife and Countryside border and was precipitated by the needed if we are to capitalise fully on • preferred zones have no major (Amendmenr) Act of 1985 to the effect that the Forestry Commission can now threat of coastal protection works, sensitivities and new planting can these positive developments. Specific "endeavour to achieve a reasonable balance between the development of while the second stemmed from issues which should be addressed The threats: be actively encouraged afforestation, and the conservation offlora, fauna and geological or landfill proposals at Southerham Grey include: physiographical features of special imerest." This policy aims to promote Pit near Lewes in East Sussex. vulnerable • potential zones have at least one practices which enhance the nature conservation interest of the one million major sensitivity which might • planting design - evaluating.how hectares ofland owned by the Commission. landforms constrain some afforestation best to use features such as treeless Bartonian Stratotype schemes streamside zones, deer lawns, Conservation Plans The cliffs between Highcliffe in Large-scale planting over areas particular tree species, and forest Dorset and Milford Cliff in containing kames, eskers or river tracks and rides to maximise • sensitive zones have major The guidelines recognise the need to draw up conservation plans for all Hampshire include the internationally terraces often results in their loss sensitivities and, while planting is retention of the best exposures and forests and woodlands. Each plan aims to assess the conservation value of a recognised Bartonian Stratotype and under a mantle of trees as the forest not totally excluded, inappropriate landforms site, define conservation aims for it and agree management regimes to meet constitute one of the most important matures. schemes will not proceed. them. A programme of conservation action will then be developed. geological SSSIs in Britain. Stretches The physical effects of planting are • developing and implementing The Forestry Commission already has conservation plans covering every one of the cliffs within the SSSI have been also considerable. Deep ploughing In drawing up an IFS, the Regional operational guidelines with the of its Forest Districts and is ready to advise private owners and managers on progressively lost over the last 20 years can badly damage sensitive surface Planning Authority must consult Forestry Commission and other how to develop their own plans. Such plans are not the exclusive preserve of through the construction of coastal features such as areas of patterned widely, giving the Nature commercial growers to ensure that forest managers but embrace eogineers, land agents and others whose protection works to guard against land ground and cause disturbance and Conservancy Council for Scotland this fresh approach is made to work operations impinge upon the forest. loss. Despite this, a complete shrinkage of peat bogs - which and voluntary conservation agencies on the ground. stratigraphic succession through the contain pollen important for dating the opportunity to advance their case Bartonian Stratotype has always been in Quaternary studies. Active for nature conservation. Indicative Some real geological success stories Earth ScieRce sites maintained. However, in 1988 process sites, including sand dune Forestry Strategies do not yet apply in are needed before we can finally say The Forestry Commission is keen to address earth science conservation, and Christchurch Borough Council and river systems, are vulnerable, as England or Wales, but in Scotland that the old battles are really a thing of manage earth science SSSIs in accordance with a plaJt-agreed with tlie submitted plans to extend the tree planting can inhibit sediment they are providing a constructive the past.• movement and will sometimes conservation agencies. The Commission also recognises that many other Highcliffe defences eastwards from transform an active system into a important, bue non-designated, earth science localities exist, particularly in Chewton Bunny. This extension static landform. upland Britain. Operations which are potentially damaging to these sites threatened to break the srratigraphic include ploughing, drainage, road construction and harvesting. It is now continuity of the Bartonian proposed to: Stratotype. The Council's initial plans included installing rock armour • survey new planting sites for earth science interest and build in measures to against the cliff toe and cutting safeguard important features in their designs by, for example, leaving bold counterfort drains into the cliff itself. featuresunplanted, notch planting on moraines, and providing clear views of Subsequent negotiations resulted in kames, kettles holes and eskers an alternative scheme in which the rock armour was replaced by an • take particular care when planning road construction and maintenance offshore bastion designed to reduce work, as these activities can have a devaStating effect on smaller earth wave energy and prevent further cliff science features erosion. This modification was acceptable to both English Nature and • take opportunities during felling and restocking ro leave open ground o Christchurch Borough Council. around the most outstanding and least disturbed earth science sites, and, Unfortunately the Council insisted on during thinning, remove trees which have been planted too close to fragile retaining the counterfort drains within features the proposed scheme, despite English Nature's belief that such drains were • where cave SSSIs exist, discuss with the conservation agencies any forest unnecessary. As a consequence of this operation which is likely to have an impact on local hydrology. continued conflict, English Nature had no choice but to call in the application for determination at a A challenge to be met Public Inquiry. The guidelines provide a constructive framework for the future conservation The resulting inquiry, held in Lymington, Hampshire in May 1991, of earth science sites, and their widespread adoption will be most beneficial. was primarily concerned with whether As yet their effectiveness is untested as they have only recently come into or not the proposed drainage work operation. It is up to all parties to make sure that the proposals live up to their was necessary. At the inquiry, potential. Christchurch Borough Council did Copies of the Forestry Commission's F(}I-est nature conservation guidelines are not dispuee the scientific value of the available from The Forestry Commission, Publications Section, Alice Holt site, but argued that without the Lodge~ Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey GUIO 4LH. As new planting approaches the hill summit, the landform assemblages become more difficult to interpret. drains the cliffs would slump, 14 15 in particular. Gone are the days when public interest. A total of 20 sites The geological Keeping back the mass concrete seawall was the were selected on the basis of current o automatic choice in dealing with concern over proposed new coastal I , interest ofthe the waves virtually any problem related to works or because of past problems. LImestone filled drains coastal erosion. Much more effort is The study encompassed a wide variety / \ \ Cliff top Highcliffe to AIan McKirdy, Nature now expended on understanding of situations - from the high East Conservancy Council for Scotland natural parameters such as wave Anglian cliffs cut in glacial sands and Milford Cliff SSSI climate, longshore drift and sediment clays buffeted by the North Sea swells, Over the years, most issues of Earth budgets, with engineering solutions to the Permian sandstones of Budleigh This coastal SSSI includes within it science conservation have carried designed to work with the forces of Salterton in Devon. the internationally recognised articles covering the conflict between nature rather than stand as a bastion stratotype for the Eocene Bartonian coastal protection and the against them. Stage. As such, it provides a conservation of soft sediment cliffs. The Nature Conservancy Council standard reference section to which District Councils, who are largely played its part in this process by Cliff drainage strata of the same or similar age from responsible for coastal protection in commissioning Hydraulics Research around the world can be compared. England and Wales, have found it Limited to develop and promote Where coastal cliffs are unstable The section also provides the difficult in the past to strike a balance alternative coasts protection largely because of water-logging, stratotypes for the Barton Clay between coastal engineering and techniques and novel applications of drainage measures alone may be Formation and the Becton Sand conservation. As a consequence, traditional structures. Clearly, sufficient to achieve the required Formation and is an exceptional site important geological sections have compromise coast protection solutions stability. Ifan interceptor drainage for studying Tertiary been lost or severely compromised as are not appropriate in every instance, system is employed, surface and palaeoenvironments. It displays a The initial scheme proposed by Christchurch Borough Council (above). local authorities have attempted to but the study has served to highlight ground water will be dealt with wide range of facies types and is The revised scheme ofwhich the drains were the only contentious feature (below). keep back the waves with hard opportunities to combine sound before it reaches the unstable coastal internationally known for the rich defences of concrete and steel. coastal engineering practices with slopes. The resultant reduction in and diverse fossil assemblage which it However, a new mood of realism effective site conservation. Some of surface water and pore water has yielded. The fossil fauna is the o currently prevails amongst coastal these engineered options are pressures may be sufficient for this , , best preserved and most varied of the engineers. Understanding and summarised here. technique to be used independent of Limestone filled dra\inS British Tertiary and is particularly working with the forces of nature is any other engineering measures. iV~ / well known for molluscs, reptiles, ~~\ Cllfftop fast becoming the basis of current The Hydraulics Research study Vertical sand drains may also be mammals and birds. Fossil plant coastal engineering practice. This used to intercept ground water flow. remains are also abundant and change has been slow in coming, but Sites studied during the project Shallow drains, cut into the coastal include conifers, fern pinnules, fruits it brings considerable benefits for the were concentrated mainly in southern slope, are normally ruled out and seeds which together make this conservation of soft sediment sections Britain and reflected a high degree of because of the disturbance they stretch of cliffs a critical site for the cause. study ofTertiary palaeobotany. In addition to the immense research . value of this SSSI, it is also a key educational site with plenty of scope for fossil collecting.

(Earth Science conservation, 28, page 20). Waste Management Limited wish to infill the site and this conflicts with English Nature's obligation to maintain an exposure in the quarry. Within the last year, a compromise scheme was reached which involved allowing the sea to break through into Secretary of State, but it is hoped that filling only part of the site with waste, an area of landfill immediately behind the Bartonian Stratotype has been retaining the eastern pit face and the coast at Chewton Bunny. It was saved from serious damage. cutting a new trench just behind the also argued that if the coast was existing northern face. breached at this point, it could Southerham Grey Pit However, East Sussex County destabilise nearby property. English Council opposed the scheme as the Nature gave evidence at the inquiry, The second inquiry was fought over quarry was scheduled as a possible and also called Dr Jerry Hooker Southerham Grey Pit, close to Lewes route for a new road. Consequently, (Natural History Museum) who in East Sussex. This site is one of the a Public Inquiry was held during May emphasised the scientific value of the most important Chalk sites in and June of this year. English Nature site and the importance of Western Europe. The Chalk Marl gave evidence to the effect that whilst stratigraphic continuity. Dr Laurie and Grey Chalk sequence exposed we would like to see the quarry left Richards, an expert on cliff stability here is not only stratigraphically undisturbed, it would be possible to from the consultant Golders expanded, but also fossiliferous. partially fill the site without destroying Associates, was also asked to give Additionally, it is the last remaining its scientific value. It was made evidence on behalf of English Nature pit in the Lewes area at which fossil absolutely clear, however, that and outlined an alternative method of fish of the Lower Chalk can be found. complete infill would destroy an draining the cliffs which did not Waste Management Limited and extremely valuable site for both involve any damage to the SSSL English Nature have been involved for research and education. The At the time of writing a decision on some time in negotiations over a outcome of this inquiry is also At the recent Public Inquiry regarding the Bartonian Stratotype at Chewton Bunny, English Nature argued that an interceptor drainage awaited.• the case is still awaited from the proposed landfill scheme at this site system in conjunction with an offshore breakwater would be sufficient to stabilise the section (see pages 15 and 16 of this issue).

16 17 protection schemes have done more to summary was prepared and Beach feeding damage earth science sites than any disseminated to all maritime local other type of development. Although authorities and other bodies with As an alternative to the use of static coastal engineers are now more jurisdiction over the coastline. The hard defences, such as seawalls or sympathetic to environmental study has also been discussed directly offshore breakwaters, it is worth concerns, the widespread publicity with SCOPAC (Standing Conference considering the use of a dynamic given to sea level change has ensured on Problems Associated with the technique such as beach feeding. that coastal protection has become a Coastline) and ACAG (Anglian This involves the importation of high profile issue - so much so, that Coastal Authorities Group). sand, shingle or rock to supplement the level of funding which will be The study is not a panacea which will natural beach levels. Beaches are dedicated to protecting our shoreline solve all existing or future problems, the best and most natural forms of against cliff retreat and flooding by the but it does provide those concerned coast protection. However, the sea is set to double over the next few with earth science conservation with the onshore, offshore and longshore years. opportunity to make an informed movements of the system must be It is essential that new schemes, and input to the decision making process well understood if beach levels are to the maintenance of existing works, are where new coastal works are being be effectively managed. This designed to take full account of considered. Highlighting technique has already been used at a environmental concerns. environmental concerns will make it number of locations in Britain, Consequently every effort has been unlikely that past mistakes will be although mainly on beaches of high made to ensure that the findings of repeated and increase the likelihood recreational value. Beach feeding the study reach as wide an audience as that more sustainable solutions are has yet to be used in the service of possible. To aid this process, a implemented in the future.• earth science conservation.

Breakwater and Foreshore berm at Sandy Bay SSSI, Northumberland, protecting a Quaternary till foreshore benns A site classification was derived • breakwaters and foreshore berms The main purpose of these based on: structures is to minimise the loss of • seawalls and revetments beach material to offshore transport • the nature of the interest during storms and also to reduce (palaeontology, stratigraphy, coastal • beach feeding (sand, shingle and direct wave attack on unstable cliffs. geomorphology or mass movement) rock) These structures are of particular value where the interest is entirely • location of the interest (cliff or • strongpoints confined to the cliff section, with no intertidal foreshore) foreshore component. In • cliff strengthening comparison with other types of 'hard • dominant erosion mechanism defence', such as concrete seawalls, (marine action or groundwater • do-nothing option they are cheap to construct and seepage). relatively easy to maintain. The These are discussed in detail in the deployment of foreshore berms at Combining these three variables led Appendices to Earth science conservation Brean Down SSSI (Somerset) and to the identification of nine separate in Great Britain - a strategy (Appendix Sandy Bay SSSI (Northumberland) site categories. 2, part 6). The information provided was reported in Earth science The study considers a number of here is, therefore, only illustrative of conservation, 27, page 19. It will coast protection techniques which the full range of options identified by only be clear after some years if may be adopted, either in Hydraulics Research. these structures have achieved the combination or singly, to provide joint objective of reducing erosion of protection to eroding cliffs. The Putting the study into action coastal cliffs to an acceptable level techniques considered are: whilst maintaining their scientific The study serves to highlight some interest, but early indications are • of the key issues in earth science land drainage (surface and deep encouraging. Sand is pumped onshore by way of a pipeline from a dredger offshore. The optimum beach profile can then be formed using a drains) conservation today. Coastal bulldozer. 18 19 Changes in the planning system - new opportunities for earth science conservation

Graham Culley and Richard housing, mineral extraction and But the new legislation will require all go into a little planning history. relate to mineral workings. Virtually to influence both the minerals Wright, English Nature waste disposal development plans to include policies Prior to the 1948 Planning Act, if no conditions were imposed and industry and planners to ensure that which will, in effect, give proper you owned land you could do some lack basic paperwork and old workings are sympathetically The bulk of earth science • the registration of old planning protection to sites of geological and virtually what you wanted with it boundary plans. With a view to restored. English Nature will be conservation work involves the permissions - this refers to all geomorphological interest, whether (within reason). The 1948 Act ensuring that these old quarries are looking for SSSIs in IDO Registers protection of important sites ­ planning permissions issued during SSSIs or RIGS. tookthis 'right' away, but in order to brought up to modern standards of and then talking to owners and whether old quarries, sea cliffs, and just after the war, but mainly As all plans are subject to public compensate for Jhis loss, the Act working and restoration, the 1991 planners about the best way of natural rock outcrops or landforms. to mineral extraction under Interim consultation, there is opportunity for enshrined "a presumption in favour Act has set a six month period (from restoring a site to maintain its The use of land in this country has, Development Orders. comment on general policies and on of development". In other words, the 25 September) for anyone scientific interest. RIGS groups can since the war, been controlled by the specific details, for example, if a there had to be a good reason why claiming an IDO permission to do the same for their sites. various Planning Acts and these have Development Plans Waste Disposal Plan does not include you could not develop your land in register it with the mineral planning had a huge impact on the policies for the protection of RIGS or the way you wanted. The 1991 Act authority. To register an IDO, there Conclusions conservation of geological and These strategic plans provide the if a RIGS site is identified for tipping, has turned this upside down and must be paperwork and a plan. If geomorphological sites. The framework for all future development a RIGS group can make now sets a presumption in favour of this is provided, a normal planning These fundamental changes in Planning and Compensation Act of in a local authority's area. County representations to the County development as defined in the permission will be issued planning legislation have far reaching September 1991 has now Councils produce general plans and Council to redress such oversights. development plan. automatically. However, if no implications for earth science revolutionised how land use will be policies for the county, and detailed In future, development plans documentation exists, permission conservation. The importance of controlled in the future and two plans for waste disposal and mineral will be the tool of land use planning. Interim Development Orders will not be granted. advocating the inclusion of strong changes are of particular importance extraction. All other detailed The Planning and Compensation (IDOs) The big opportunity for earth earth science conservation policies in for earth science conservation: planning is undertaken by the District Act makes the development plan the science conservation comes through development plans cannot be Councils. From a date yet to be first consideration in deciding IDOs relate to planning the imposition of new restoration emphasised enough. And the • the additional weight given to local decided, these plans must include planning applications. This is of permissions issued by local councils conditions. A 'scheme of working' revision of Interim Development authority 'development plans'; policies for "the conservation of the fundamental importance and is between 1943 and 1948. These will be agreed between the operator Order permissions provides a once­ these plans set out an authority's natural beauty and amenity of the a major break with past planning permissions were given in an attempt and the mineral planning authority and-for-all chance of ensuring that vision for land use in their area, land." In the past, the inclusion of law. But why? In order to to encourage growth of the economy in the 12 months following old quarries are sympathetically dealing with such aspects as such policies has been very variable. understand this it is necessary to during and after the war. Many registration. There is a chance here restored for conservation.•

the site as thoroughly as possible. It for some time prior to burial. There stratigraphic and geographic New marine reptile find in the Oxford Clay was in doing the latter that we made was no sign of the post cranial distribution of the Oxford Clay a lucky discovery. Lying just a few skeleton, wjl-ich presuma~y must vertebrate fauna. discovered by Dr Hollingworth while metres from the site of the have been moved by scavengers. leading a field trip to examine the Leedsichthys, and stratigraphically Both the Leedsichthys and References palaeontology of the Lower Oxford only 20 centimetres down, was the Steneosaurus have been deposited in Clay. There is nothing terribly skull of a marine crocodile. Our the University of Leicester, Andrews, C. W. 1910-13. A descriptive exciting about fish gill rays, but these identification is tenuous, as the skull Department of Geology, which has catalogue of the marine reptiles of the an extensive collection of Oxford Oxford Clay. Vol 1,205 pp., 10 pIs. were a little larger than might be needs to be prepared, but it has a Clay fossils. The Leicester (1910). Vol. 2, 206 pp., 13 pIs. expected. They covered an area of very elongate snout, sadly lacking Department is currently coordinating (1913). London, British Museum approximately three metres square teeth, quite characteristic of Steneosaurus (see Andrews 1910-13). an integrated programme of research (Natural History). and are from the gigantic pachycormid The skull is slightly worn and has a into the palaeontology and fish Leedsichthys. A complete number of oysters encrusting its geochemistry of the Oxford Clay, and Martill, D. M. 1985. The world's Leedsichthys has never been excavated, upper surface, suggesting that it was these new discoveries will provide largest flsh. Geology Today, 2, 61-63, but fragmentary material indicates it exposed on the Oxford Clay sea floor valuable information on the Oxford.• to be a fish between 10 and possibly 25 metres long (see Martill 1985). Collecting such a fish would be a major operation, and English Nature were happy to support an exploratory dig to see if a complete Leedsichthys was present. The dig took place this summer with assistance from the London Brick Company. Leedsichthys was a gigantic filter feeder, comparable in its ecology perhaps with the great baleen whales oftoday. It was so large that it was even able to survive attacks by large marine crocodiles. ]n situ skull of the marine crocodile, cf Dave Martill and Neville Unfortunately, our luck was not in; Steneosaurus sp., from the Lower Oxford Hollingworth, Open University or so it seemed. The Leedsichthys Clay of Calvert, Buckinghamshire. Notice yielded only a few more skull bones the lower jaw is broken and displaced to the A few partially articulated portions of and some fin rays. We examined the top right of the picture. a fishes gill rays were exposed in the spoil dumps around the site to fmd base of a brick pit at Calvert, any pieces that the excavator might Buckinghamshire. They were have moved, and we combed The lower jaw of the crocodile showing the hollow tooth sockets. Unforrunately the teeth were nowhere to be found. 20 21 RIGS update Location of RIGS schemes in England. Avon Peter Crowther, Bristol Museum (0272-223592) Pre 1990 Berkshire David Ward, Reading Geological Society Alien Mike Harley, (0344-483563) English Nature D 1990/1991 Buckinghamshire Kate Rowland, Buckinghamshire County Museum mineral (0296-696012) Over the last two years, enthusiasm for Under consideration • RIGS (Regionally Important 11 Cambridgeshire Pat Marson, Anglia Polytechnic (0223-63271) specImens GeologicaVgeomorphological Sites) in Cheshire David Harpley, Cheshire Conservation TruSt Brian Young, England has grown at an astounding (0606-781868) rate. RIGS schemes now exist in 36 CUMBRIA British Geological Survey counties, with a further 7 being given Cornwall Colin Bristow, Camborne School of Mines active consideration. During this (0726-812252) Over the past few years, I have period of rapid development, English Cumbria Peter Bullard, Cumbria Wildlife Trust (05394-32476) been presented with numerous Nature has acted in a catalytic capacity mineral specimens which, even and will continue in this role until Derbyshire Pat Brassley, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (0332-756610) from a casual glance, are clearly RIGS schemes have been set up in all Devon Peter Chamberlain, Devon Wildlife Trust (0392-79244) alien to the site from which they 45 English counties. Importantly, were collected. When material has Dorset Richard Surry, Dorset Environmental Records Centre English Nature is also committed to been transported to a new site as (0305-251000) providing specialised support to sustain fill or hard core, the amount the momentum of the RIGS initiative Gloucestershire David Long, Gloucestershire Trust for Nature involved is usually comparatively and enhance the effectiveness of local Conservation (0242-527673) large and confusion is generally RIGS groups. Two support projects are Greater Carol Davenport, Greater Manchester Countryside unlikely. However, small numbers currently in operation and these are of samples, apparently discarded outlined below. Manchester Unir (06]-344-3100) from rucksacks, can easily present Hampshire Tony Cross, Hampshire County Museum Service serious problems. To a geologist (0962-846304) Site selection guidelines familiar with either the original Hertfordshire David Curry, Museum of St Albans (0727-56679) A common cause for concern source of the material or the site at amongst members of RIGS groups is Kent Alasdair Bruce, Kent RIGS Coordinator (0843-295852) which it has eventually turned up, the development of objective criteria these 'odd' specimens provide little Lancashire Steve Thompson, Clitheroe Castle Museum more than some irritation. When with which to evaluate and select sites (0200-24635) in their local area. With a view to local expertise is not available, such addressing this problem and providing Leicestershire Gill Weightman, Leicestershire Museum (0533-473080) finds can be both seriously misleading and scientifically practical guidelines, a small working Lincolnshire David Robinson, Lincolnshire :trust for Nature group was convened by English Nature damaging, especially if specimens comprising Mark Anderson (Somerset Conservation (0570-602019) are curated in collections or their Environmental Records Centre), West Midlands Alan Curler, Black Country Geological Society occurrence published. With less David Curry (St Albans Museum) and (0384-71146) distinctive 'site specific' material, Mike Harley (English Nature) ­ the chances of confusion, even of drawing also on the biological Norfolk Jackie Lewis, Norfolk Naturalists' Trust (0603 625540) an expert, is greatly increased. Northumbria George Fenwick, Sunderland Polytechnic How much tr~nsported geological \) (091-515-2742) material has been collected, studied (Northumberland, Durham, Cleveland, Tyne & Wear) and unwittingly included in reports? Nottinghamshire Norman Lewis, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust From the number of alien (0602-588242) mineralogical finds which come my Oxfordshire Alan Childs, Oxford Polytechnic (0865-8] 9617) way, I am aware that the practice of Sheffield Derek Whitely, Sheffield City Museum (0742-768588) sorting and discarding unwanted finds is increasing markedly, appropriate local council. This Shropshire John Tucker, Shropshire Wildlife Trust (0743-24169]) information should be to the council's perhaps as a result of the greater October, which considered the satisfaction and generally includes a Somerset Mark Anderson, Somerset Environmental Records numbers of active collectors. conservation of earth science sites for brief typewritten site description, an Centre (0823-333410) Could all collectors, both amateur and professional, exercise particular education. explanation of the reason for choosing Staffordshire Don Steward, Stoke City Museum (0782-202173) expertise of Trevor James (North the site or the criteria used, and a map care when discarding unwanted Hertfordshire Museums). Support funding for RIGS schemes showing the location and outline of the Surrey Diana Hawkes, Haslemere Educational Museum samples? A suitable disposal point In early July, the working group site. There is an upper limit of £500 (0428-642112) is the local council tip, via the dustbin. All material found in such completed the first phase of its As with non-statutory wildlife sites, per RIGS group in total. Sussex John Cooper, Booth Museum (0273-552586) deliberations and compiled a set of RIGS are selected on a county basis To request funds, groups have to a site is of obviously foreign guidance notes based on scientific, and protection is sought through the complete a simple application form, Warwickshire John Crossling, Warwickshire Museum (0926-412500) derivation and is unlikely ever to educational, historic and aesthetic local authority planning system. This obtain confirmation of the satisfactory Wiltshire Danlian Hughes, Wiltshire Trust for Nature mislead anybody. No responsible considerations. These notes were year English Nature is able to offer receipt of information by their local Conservation (0380-725670) field geologist would ever litter the disseminated to local groups in draft modest funds to RIGS groups to help council and return their form to countryside with waste paper, beer form and will be modified in the light offset the costs of surveying, selecting English Nature by the end of February North Yorkshire Stephen Warburton, Yorkshire Wildlife Trusr cans etc - dumping geological of comments received from users. The and informing local councils of sites 1992. (0904-659570) specimens is no less irresponsible. final version, which should be worthy of conservation. For further information about either West Yorkshire JeffLunn, English Nature, Wakefield (0924-387010) In any event, the need to dispose of produced early in 1992, will also English Nature will pay £5 per site of these projects or the RIGS initiative such surplus material in many cases incorporate the findings of a once information has been passed to in general, please write to me here at probably reflects over-collecting.­ Geological Society workshop, held in the planning department of the English Nature.­ List of contacts for RIGS schemes in England. 22 23 John Gordon, Nature Conservancy and stratigraphic context. Site excavation at Clava SSSI Council for Scotland To maximise the scientific benefits, a temporary section was excavated at 172 - a Pleistocene enigma resolved? At the Beauly to N aim meeting of the the site of the British Association Quaternary Research Association in Committee's main pit. It was logged September 1990 (Auton et al., 1990), in detail, bulk samples were collected a temporary section was excavated by for sedimentological and microfaunal the Nature Conservancy Council at ~ ""fa~~i¥~fJ!~'~'; analysis, and many individual shell ~ -oQ(}~o.·.O·~c;q\),?c.qoo .aQS'- or­ .o{')-.o.g. ::"0.,)". _i,c • ulder clay m .: •. Q::~.O·Q9.()<:?_\\O• deposit at Clava SSSI. The (\) analysis is still in progress, initial l/l interpretation of the evidence seen in excavation generated much interest as Ql Main pit sand stratified it offered the first opportunity for 15 excavation n--tj .• " Fi the excavation provides undoubted ..Q support for an ice-transported origin nearly a century for these critical and ';j;''" 152 controversial deposits to be ~ -:?3EEB.r:~- for the Clava shelly clay. When thoroughly examined. I ...... __ --Blue clay or silt (containing shells) combined with other similarly The shelly clay at Clava SSSI indicative evidence reviewed at the :~o~§:&~i 0 occurs at an altitude of about 150 m :8 .:6%Oqt¥2: Coarse gravel sand and stones meeting, it appears that the Clava OD in the valley of the Cassie Burn, a enigma is a long way to being resolved. tributary of the River Nairn. The Note that the Clava SSSI lies on ~~~======~====~~======:::Brown clay and stones deposit, underlying till and sands, was Clava Estate. Enquiries regarding ------*'.,.. _ i_~. first discovered in a clay pit in the 137 ------entry to any part of the estate must be early 1880s. The shells, although in t.;XW-::!)i_\$;l\~f\i}N:2)\;mk}:dWWSoft coarse gritty Old Red Sandstone made in writing to Mrs M E Macrae, delicate condition, were frequently Clava House, Nairnside, Inverness 50 preserved intact. They indicate colder o 10 20 30 40 IV1 2BT. The excavation was carried conditions than presently found Distance in metres out with the co-operation and consent around the Scottish coast, comparable of Mrs Macrae who is gratefully to North Norway but not high Arctic. The sequence of deposits at Clava. acknowledged for her interest and help. In accordance with the interpretative significant new information on the in the shelly clay itself, suggest that models of the time, the Clava shelly Scottish Pleistocene." Further the Clava succession is part of a Reference clay was initially viewed as being in srimulus to re-examine the Clava complex sequence of glacigenic situ, representing a major marine shelly clay, which had not been seen deposits that can be attributed to the submergence during the ice age. Auton, c.A., Firth, c.R. and in section since the British Association last ice sheet moving eastwards across Merritt, J,W. 1990. Beauly to Nairn Some geologists, however, argued that excavations, came from the British the area from the Loch Ness basin (in the high-level shell beds at Clava, and Field Guide. Cambridge, Quaternary Geological Survey's current Auton et al., 1990). From NCC's Research Association.• several other locations in Britain, were programme of drift mapping in the point of vie-w, re-excavatio;;' of the site in fact ice-transported rafts of marine area. Their results, based on recently \vas therefore timely, to allow a more sediments. In an attempt to settle the exposed sections nearby, although not informed assessment of the site's value .:~~.. ~.:\~ controversy, a committee of the ~~>'_' ~~ British Association was convened in • , I 1894. They excavated a large pit and _',1. \~ sank seven boreholes which proved the sequence of deposits. However, the members of the committee were unable to agree on the interpretation ­ ~~\\\\~ the majority concluded that the shelly ~.:;;I'._~;_~.~.",~.h:.~ ,:,..~ clay was in situ, but a minority ...~. ~,. .. -~~ -'.1' reported that there was insufficient _ ; ;-A.i' .~~.~ ,.. .. ., .~I":.Ii .. , - ...- ,", evidence to reach such a conclusion and instead argued that the material was transported by ice. Not surprisingly, the debate has continued to the present day, although the original sections have long been buried. With the advent of modern dating techniques (both numerical and relative) and new models of glacioisostatic crusta1 depression and patterns of sea-level change, the potential significance of the Clava deposits has assumed even greater importance in reconstructing the Quaternary history of Scotland. Indeed in the initial site assessment for the Quaternary of Scotland GCR volume (forthcoming), Clava was described as "without doubt one of the most enigmatic Pleistocene deposits in Scotland and also one that Excavation of a temporary section at Clava SSSI. holds out the possibility of adding Members of the Quaternary Research Association examine the Clava deposits for shells. 24 25 Mam Tor - road to nowhere

Richard Leafe, English Nature since 1977 following rupture and improve the landscape quality of the Grahalll Price, National Caving • national perspective implemented by cavers who know a collapse of the road surface. Today area. These proposals include seeding Association and Richard Wright, site, its particular characteristics, and Mam Tor, near Castleton, Derbyshire, the stratigraphy of the road unvegetated areas around the road, English Nature. • canvassing opinion the range of factors which might shows one of the best rotational slip construction and subsequent repair planting trees around the foot of the • role of statutory bodies influence its long term conservation. landslides in the country and forms episodes is plainly visible in a series of slip debris slope, and constructing a The 1991 British Cave Research The involvement of cave owners is also part of the Castleton SSSl. The exposures created by the last slip. bridle path along the route of the Association conference provided a • threats - external and internal a crucial part of the exercise. notoriety of the site is largely Movement of the road down-slope former road. English Nature is valuable opportunity to present an up­ • cave conservation plans. A plan would contain four principal attributable to th.e repeated disruption shows the force and direction of the currently in consultation with the Peak date on the joint initiative for cave elements. Firstly the documentation which the slip has caused to the main slip and remains as testament to the Park to ensure that the best features of conservation sponsored by both the Of all these, the concept of of the cave and its features. Secondly, A625 road between Sheffield and power and magnitude of such natural the road slip are not destroyed by National Caving Association and producing voluntary cave conservation an assessment of the pressures on the Manchester. events. bridle path construction, and that the English Nature. A document plans provides the most effective cave. Thirdly, practical conservation The length of road running along Site owners, the Peak Park, are debris slope morphology is not masked (outlined in Earth scz'ence conservatz'on, method of encouraging active cave measures formulated on the basis of the foot of Mam Tor has been closed proposing several enhancements to by excessive vegetation coverage.• 28, page 9) is currently being prepared conservation amongst ordinary cavers. the information obtained. And [mally, which examines the whole subject of It is suggested that these plans should monitoring to assess the effectiveness cave conservation and contains the be developed for individual cave sites of any conservation measures following key components: and should incorporate all the factors introduced. which may affect them. For this to be The authors would welcome any • rationale for cave conservation achieved, individual conservation plans comments (through Richard Wright • regional factors will have to be devised, supported and please) on the ideas proposed above.

Flow chart illustrating the various stages in What needs .. INothing I .. No problem the development and implementation of a conservmg . . cave conservation plan. I I ~ Describe

Further Current 1 .. I None I .. damage measures? I ~ r-IPossible ,.. I ,--,----',

How fragile 1 .. I Robust ; .. Further measures? 1 ~ Delicate

----..1 Further 1 Vulnerability 1 .. I Little 1---, , measures?

Review/ Mam Tor, Derbyshire - part of the Castleton SSSI. monitoring ~ Factors affecting New sites for old - new access details vulnerability The following changes in ownership ARC Southern, Whatley Quarry, • Old Bristol Road (Site 20, pages ~ and access arrangements have nr Frome, Somerset BAll 3LF. 98-101): those wishing to visit this List occurred since publication of the site should write to Mr Cox, guide book New sz'tes for old: a • Chilcompton - Old Down cutting Cluttons, Marples Wharf, 210 What can students' guide to the geology of the east (Site 12, pages 73-75): permission Lower Bristol Road, Bath, Avon Mendz'ps in 1985. to visit should now be sought from BA11DH. be done Mrs R Oram, 8 Chapelfield, • Whitehole Quarry (Site 7, page 55) Oakhill, Bath, Somerset BA3 5BD. • Holwell Brook (Site 24, pages 119­ ~ List + problems + implementation and Tedbury Camp Quarry (Site 121) is now owned by Mr R Bullus 27, pages 141-143): the address of • Three Arch Bridge railway cutting ofValley Sawmills, Holwell, Arney Roadstone Corporation, (Site 14, pages 78-81): this site is Nunney, Frome, Somerset. Please I Effectiveness I from whom permission to visit temporarily obscured by fly-tipped contact l\.1r Bullus for permission these sites must be sought, is now material. to visit this site. ­

26 27 Earth science conservation is published for English Nature, the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland and the Countryside Council for Wales.

~ ENGLISH NATURE Nature Conservancy Councilfor Scotland

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