SURVEY OF THE LITTORAL CAVES OF THE SOUTH WIGHT MARITIME SPECIAL AREA OF CONSERVATION

February 2006

FINAL REPORT

submitted to English Nature

(Hampshire and Isle of Wight Team, Lyndhurst)

Sea-Scope Marine Environmental Consultants Combe Lodge, Bampton Devon EX16 9LB Tel: +44 (0)1398 332267

Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

Photo opposite: Surveying Needles Cave, Scratchell’s Bay, Isle of Wight (Photo ref. NC_13)

COPYRIGHT The copyright and intellectual property rights in this document are the property of Sea-Scope, Marine Environmental Consultants. The said intellectual property rights shall not be used, nor shall this document be copied, without the express consent of Sea-Scope.

Sea-Scope

SURVEY OF THE LITTORAL CAVES OF THE SOUTH WIGHT MARITIME SPECIAL AREA OF CONSERVATION

February 2006

Final Report submitted to English Nature (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Team, Lyndhurst)

Report author: Robert Irving Sea-Scope Marine Environmental Consultants Combe Lodge Bampton Nr. Tiverton Devon EX16 9LB Tel: +44 (0)1398 332267 Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

This report should be cited as: Irving, R.A. 2006. Survey of the littoral caves of the South Wight Maritime SAC. Final Report to English Nature (Hampshire & Isle of Wight Team) by Sea-Scope, Marine Environmental Consultants.

Sea-Scope Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

Executive summary

A survey of the majority of the intertidal caves within the South Wight Maritime SAC was carried out by Sea-Scope Marine Environmental Consultants on behalf of English Nature (Hampshire & Isle of Wight Team) from 5th to 8th September 2005. The overall aim of the survey was to clarify the extent, distribution and biotope types of these caves.

A total of 14 caves were surveyed between Alum Bay and Watcombe Bay, along the southern coast of the western peninsula of the Isle of Wight. A further three caves were surveyed at the eastern end of the island at the foot of Culver Cliff. A number of other caves are present in the immediate vicinity of Freshwater Bay, but there was insufficient time during the survey to visit these. Thirteen of the caves were surveyed to a Phase I level of detail1, with the remaining four caves being surveyed to a Phase II level of detail2.

The survey team consisted of four surveyors who described the characterising communities/biotopes present within the caves as well as taking measurements of the physical dimensions of the caves. Two low water periods were utilised each day: from 06.00 to 09.30 and from 16.00 to 19:30. Only three of the caves (those at the eastern end of the island) could be accessed on foot, the remainder required access by boat. A small inflatable boat was used for this purpose, which could easily be taken on shore and was able to be beached inside several of the caves. Flat calm sea conditions were required to allow access to the caves, as the entrances to most were in the sublittoral fringe and often surrounded by partially submerged boulders. GPS positions were taken of the entrance to each cave, though this was only achieved by marking a position a short distance away from the towering chalk cliffs (which hindered the acquisition of clear satellite fixes) and taking a bearing and estimating the distance to the cave entrance itself. Digital photographs were taken of the entrances and interiors of the caves, and sketches were made of the entrances, floor plans and cross-sections.

The 17 caves surveyed were categorised into four main types (open, arched, tunnel- like and complex) depending upon their physical structure, though in some instances a cave’s description fell between two types (e.g. arched and tunnel-like). Open caves tended to have wide entrances but with little depth to them (< 8m). Arched caves also had wide entrances but their depth was greater (some exceeding 25m) and they typically had high arched ceilings. Tunnel-like caves tended to have small entrances, which limited the amount of light entering them, and variable ceiling heights, though they often penetrated some distance into the cliff (up to 40m). One complex cave type was encountered which had numerous entrances and a number of interior chambers and tunnels.

In addition to being determined by the above physical characteristics, the range biotopes present within the caves depended on several other environmental factors

1 Phase I surveys are broad habitat surveys aimed at identifying the range of habitats in an area, and may give an indication of their extent and distribution (Hiscock, 1996), as practiced by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s Marine Nature Conservation Review team. 2 A Phase II level of survey detail provides data on the communities present and their variation within habitats (Hiscock, 1996).

Sea-Scope Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

including hardness of chalk/orientation of rock strata; height on shore; aspect/ orientation; shading; exposure/wave-wash; scour; and humidity/freshwater seepage. The chalk bedrock was found to be particularly hard, with the orientation of the strata being vertical or near-vertical. The aspect of the cave entrances varied from north- facing (White Cliffs Caves East and West); east-facing (the Nostrils caves and Culver Cut); west-facing (Needles Cave); and south-facing (the remaining 11 caves). The aspect of the cave entrance is linked to the amount of light penetration/shading which affects the communities present within the cave, particularly near its entrance, as well as the degree of exposure to wave-wash. The majority of caves displayed a distinct scour zone around the base of the walls, particularly at the back of the caves adjacent to accumulations of rounded flint pebbles.

A total of 14 biotopes were recorded from the caves, of which eight are listed by JNCC as ‘cave biotopes’; a further three are ‘new’ cave biotopes (not adequately described by the present biotope classification); and three are non-cave biotopes. The three ‘new’ biotopes represent communities dominated by pink and red crustose Corallinaceae (dominating the walls and ceilings of tunnel-like caves in particular); chalk-boring cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) present on the walls of most of the caves surveyed; and brown algal crusts on walls and ceilings of a few of the caves.

The caves themselves were regarded as being in excellent condition, with a ‘good’ range of floral species present within the caves surveyed, though the variety and abundance of faunal species was low. Of particular interest, was the re-discovery of an undescribed species of encrusting red alga, which had first been found by Ian Tittley in 1986 within Needles Cave. During the current survey, not only was this species re-recorded from Needles Cave, it was also found in several of the other caves surveyed. It is possible there may also be another undescribed species of encrusting red alga, though this will take some time to confirm.

None of the caves surveyed were found to be suffering from any obvious anthropogenic damage. There were almost no items of litter found within any of the caves surveyed. It is recommended that the other caves in the vicinity of Freshwater Bay are surveyed to a similar level of detail.

Sea-Scope Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 PREVIOUS STUDIES...... 1 1.2 LOCAL GEOLOGY ...... 2 2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 3 2.1 AIMS ...... 3 2.2 OBJECTIVES ...... 4 3. METHODS ...... 4 3.1 SITE LOCATIONS...... 4 3.2 SITE ACCESS...... 6 3.3 SURVEY METHODOLOGY ...... 8 3.3.1 Logistics ...... 8 3.3.2 Recording the location of each cave...... 10 3.3.3 Recording the physical details of each cave...... 10 3.3.4 Recording the biological details of each cave ...... 11 3.3.5 Photography...... 12 3.3.6 Preparation of cave diagrams ...... 12 3.3.7 The naming of caves...... 12 4. RESULTS ...... 14 4.1 DESCRIPTIONS OF CAVES...... 14 4.1.1 White Cliffs Cave East ...... 16 4.1.2 White Cliffs Cave West...... 18 4.1.3 Needles Cave...... 20 4.1.4 Lord Holmes’ Privy...... 27 4.1.5 Lord Holmes’ Kitchen...... 29 4.1.6 Lord Holmes’ Parlour...... 32 4.1.7 Lord Holmes’ Cellar...... 34 4.1.8 Lord Holmes’ Scullery ...... 41 4.1.9 Frenchman’s Hole ...... 43 4.1.10 Bar Cave ...... 45 4.1.11 Little Cave...... 47 4.1.12 Large Cave...... 49 4.1.13 Neptune Cave West ...... 51 4.1.14 Neptune Cave System...... 53 4.1.15 Left Nostril Cave...... 57 4.1.16 Right Nostril Cave...... 61

Sea-Scope Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

4.1.17 Culver Cut...... 64 4.1.18 Other caves (not surveyed) ...... 66 5 DISCUSSION...... 68 5.1 THE ISLE OF WIGHT’S SEA CAVES IN CONTEXT ...... 68 5.2 CAVE NAMES ...... 68 5.3 CAVE ‘TYPES’ ...... 69 5.4 CAVE BIOTOPES ...... 74 5.5 CAVE COMMUNITIES AND SPECIES ...... 75 5.6 SITE CONDITION / POSSIBLE THREATS ...... 76 6. CONCLUSIONS...... 77 7. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE WORK ...... 77 7. REFERENCES ...... 78

Appendices Appendix I List of species recorded from selected caves Appendix II Field Log Appendix III Field Recording Sheet (Pro Forma) Appendix IV List of digital photographs taken

Note that a separate Inventory of the Isle of Wight’s sea caves accompanies this report in electronic format only (CD).

Sea-Scope Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

1. Introduction

The South Wight Maritime Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which includes the whole of the southern shore of the Isle of Wight (Fig. 1), has as one of its Annex I features ‘submerged or partially submerged sea caves’. English Nature commissioned the present survey to investigate further those caves which have their entrances in the intertidal zone. The majority of these caves occur at the foot of the chalk cliffs which dominate the coast at the western and eastern ends of the island. Specifically, the caves are found in the west from Alum Bay to Freshwater Bay, and in the east at the foot of Culver Cliff. All of these intertidal caves are considered to be of ecological importance, with many likely to host rare algal species that are restricted to habitats only found within sea caves.

The present survey took place between 5th and 8th September 2005.

Isle of Wight

Fig. 1. The locations of intertidal caves (as marked by circular dots) within the South Wight Maritime SAC (hatched area).

1.1 Previous studies

Only one other biological study is known to have taken place of certain of these intertidal caves. This was in 1988 by Ian Tittley of the Natural History Museum, when, as part of a much wider-ranging study of chalk cliff algal communities, four of the island’s intertidal caves (the two Nostrils caves, Frenchman’s Hole and Needles cave) were briefly investigated (Tittley 1988). Some investigations in the sublittoral have also taken place between Freshwater Bay and Alum Bay (e.g. Wood 1992; Browning 2001), which have described small caves (approximately 2m high and 3m deep) occurring in Alum Bay at the foot of 3m high underwater chalk cliffs.

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1.2 Local geology

The following introductory description of the overall geology of the Isle of Wight is taken from the Geologists Association Guide (1984), No. 25 The Isle of Wight. “The Isle of Wight forms part of the geological structure known as the Hampshire-Dieppe Basin. Rocks of early Cretaceous to early Oligocene age are exposed below some Pleistocene cover. ...The Lower Chalk commences with the dark green, sandy Glauconitic Marl, which rests on a bored and eroded surface of the Upper Greensand. The overlying Chalk Marl consists of alternations of hard white limestone and soft grey marls. The Lower Chalk as a whole represents a gradual deepening of the sea. The Middle and Upper Chalk both comprise white coccolith limestones, but the latter contain irregular bands of flint nodules. This part of the Chalk was laid down in a deep shelf sea environment.”

The east-west spine of the Isle of Wight is formed of steeply-inclined to vertical chalk, which, on the east coast, forms Culver Cliff and, on the west, the towering cliffs of Tennyson Down and the sharp headland of The Needles with its chain of sea stacks. Of the Chalk in particular, the following extract from Jones (1981) is relevant: “The Lower Chalk, usually between 60-70m thick, has a clay content which normally exceeds 10% but rises to over 50% in the lower horizons, and is frequently referred to as the ‘Grey Chalk’ or ‘Chalk Marl’. ...The overlying Middle Chalk, while generally similar in thickness, is considerably purer with only 5-10% marl content, and tends to form the main scarp-face beneath a capping of highly permeable and well-jointed Upper Chalk. The latter not only forms the bulk of the deposit, a maximum of 400m being preserved in the Isle of Wight, but it also comprises a disproportionally large part of the Chalk outcrop because it underlies virtually the whole of the very extensive cuesta backslopes. Its most diagnostic features are a low marl content (<5%) and the presence of flints, which are confined to the Upper Chalk and the uppermost horizons of the Middle Chalk.”

Plate 1. Chalk cliff at Tennyson Down. Plate 2. NE headland of Culver Cliff. [Photo. ref. Other/Cliff views/Tennyson_1] [Photo. ref. Other/Cliff views/Culver Cliff_1]

The chalk bedrock forming the cliffs and the caves was found to be particularly hard. This hardness is demonstrated by the durability of the outcrops at the Needles (Fowler & Tittley 1993), though other features such as the natural arches of Scratchell’s Bay and Freshwater Bay which are present on the OS 1:10,000 maps have collapsed

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during the last ?150 years (see Fig. 2). An attempt was made to hammer in a steel mountaineering piton at the rear of the Needles Cave in order to fix an attachment site for the tape to mark out the mid-line. However, the piton could only be forced in just 3cm! Ian Tittley, who has experience of surveying chalk caves and cliff sites in Thanet (Kent) and at Flamborough Head (East Yorkshire), pointed out that the chalk did seem to be as hard as that found at Flamborough Head. Indeed, he had considerable difficulty chipping off pieces of rock with a lump hammer and chisel in order to sample unidentified encrusting growths.

Fig. 2. Engraving of Freshwater Bay showing “the two remarkable isolated Rocks and Entrance to the principal Cavern” [Freshwater Cave East]. Taken from Brannon's Picture of The Isle of Wight by George Brannon. Date uncertain. Published as an eBook on the internet @ http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16356/16356-h/16356-h.htm#illu_20lg.jpg.

2. Aims and Objectives

2.1 Aims

The overall aim of the survey was to clarify the extent, distribution and biotope types of the intertidal sea caves found within the South Wight Maritime SAC. The specific aims and objectives of this survey are set out below:

Sea-Scope 3 Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

1. To undertake a Phase I inventory of as many of the intertidal caves as possible within the South Wight Maritime SAC, with a minimum of eight caves to be surveyed to this level of detail.

2. To undertake a Phase II survey of at least one cave (hopefully two and possibly three) to determine baseline information sufficient to facilitate condition assessment in accordance with JNCC Common Standards Monitoring guidance for sea caves. The highest priority cave to survey to Phase II was Needles’ Cave (also known as Scratchell’s Cave), close to the Needles.

2.2 Objectives

1. To compile as comprehensive an inventory as possible of the intertidal caves of South Wight, providing basic information regarding location, size, tidal height and substratum for as many caves as possible to survey to Phase I within the allocated time period.

2. To undertake Phase II surveys of at least one cave in order to establish the extent, range, distribution and species composition of the notable and representative sea cave biotopes for South Wight Maritime SAC (to include all communities exposed at mean low water spring tides).

3. To produce a survey report which will include precise location details, cave survey methodology and full results of the survey, including descriptions of the sea caves surveyed and the habitats and communities found. Any human influences affecting parts of the sites are to be recorded. The report is also to include (in electronic format) photographs and diagrams detailing the cave habitats, and limited mapping to assist with the location of surveyed caves.

3. Methods

3.1 Site locations

Most of the Isle of Wight’s intertidal caves lie between Alum Bay and Freshwater Bay at the western end of the island. Access to these caves is by boat only, as the caves lie at the base of tall cliffs with no access by foot along the shore. However, the two/three caves at Culver Cliff on the south-east coast of the island can be accessed on foot from Whitecliff Bay.

The approximate locations of some of the caves were marked by English Nature’s Project Officer on SSSI maps which accompanied the tender documents. The total number of caves for the whole of the south of the island was given in the tender document to be approximately 15. Almost double this number were located by the survey team: 20 caves were identified between Alum Bay and the west side of

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Freshwater Bay (including one cave ‘system’ with six separate entrances); a further 5 caves on the east side of Freshwater Bay (see Fig. 3); and a further 2 (arguably 3) caves at Culver Cliff on the east side of the island (see Fig. 4) – a total of 27/28 caves in all (see Table 1). Time and cost restrictions, however, meant that only 17 of these caves were surveyed to Phase I or Phase II level during the present survey.

Fig. 3. The locations of all intertidal caves between Alum Bay and Freshwater Bay at the western end of the Isle of Wight. Those shown in red were surveyed during the present survey.

Fig. 4. The locations of the 2/3 intertidal caves at Culver Cliff, at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight.

Sea-Scope 5 Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

3.2 Site access

Permission to access the caves was agreed by the relevant owners of the land in question (primarily the National Trust). A letter of authority from English Nature’s Project Officer was supplied to each team member to keep in his possession whilst in the field, in case the need arose to prove the purpose/intention of the survey to anyone. In the event, no need arose for this to be done. Access to the caves at the western end of the island was undertaken by means of a 3.5m inflatable boat (see Plate 3), powered by a 15hp outboard engine, launched from Freshwater Bay. The boat could take all four surveyors and their equipment reasonably comfortably, and was able to make reasonable speed through the water given the very calm sea conditions. As a point of interest, it took 40 minutes to travel in the fully laden boat from Freshwater Bay to the Needles, a distance of approximately 6 km. Each surveyor wore a drysuit (and a lifejacket), which allowed for free swimming into caves in situations where it would have been difficult or dangerous to take the boat. Consideration had originally been given for the use of a Rigid-hull Inflatable Boat (RIB) to access the caves. This would have allowed for faster journey times to and from caves and would have been a more robust craft, but it was decided not to use one for the reasons given below. For future surveys of the caves, it may be possible to use a RIB but only if an additional craft was used as a tender (e.g. a small inflatable, a canoe or a kayak). This would increase costs considerably. • A RIB would require a dedicated coxswain to be on board at all times, as unable to beach boat and also risky to leave boat unattended at anchor. • A RIB is unable to get close to shore due to shallow bedrock and boulders exposed at or around low water. Also unable to enter caves as craft too large. • Would require its own mooring (the nearest safe haven being Yarmouth Marina), or trailering out of the water each evening and being left somewhere safe overnight.

Plate 3. The 3.5m ex-RNLI inflatable boat (supplied by Pelagial Ltd.) powered by a 15hp outboard engine, which acted as an excellent survey vessel given flat calm conditions.

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Table 1. Details of all caves encountered during the survey (with those actually surveyed shown in bold).

Level of Boat position offshore Bearing to Distance to Actual distance MapInfo Actual position of entrance No. survey Name of Cave X_co-ordinate Y_co-ordinate entrance entrance (GIS) bearing (GIS) X_co-ordinate Y_co-ordinate 1 Phase I White Cliffs Cave East 429421 85003 136º ~120m 80m 314 429477 84946 2 Phase I White Cliffs Cave West 429358 84967 158º ~100m 55m 292 429375 84926 3 Phase II Needles Cave, Scratchell's Bay 429813 84628 093º ~40m 20m 357 429833 84627 4 Phase I Lord Holmes' Privy 431034 84837 335º ~60m 65m 115 431007 84896 5 Phase II Lord Holmes' Kitchen 431105 84866 355º ~50m 55m 95 431100 84921 6 Phase I Lord Holmes' Parlour 431137 84865 005º ~50m 55m 85 431142 84920 7 Phase II Lord Holmes' Cellar 431205 84870 009º ~50m 55m 81 431214 84925 8 Phase I Lord Holmes' Scullery 431294 84887 020º ~40m 40m 70 431307 84925 9 Phase I Frenchman's Hole 431476 84872 010º ~50m 50m 80 431484 84922 10 Phase I Bar Cave 433948 85436 008º ~50m 36m 82 433953 85472 11 Phase I Little Cave 434042 85457 005º ~50m 18m 85 434042 85475 12 Phase I Large Cave 434042 85457 018º ~50m 19m 72 434046 85475 13 Phase I Neptune Cave West 434177 85439 000º ~50m 50m 90 434176 85490 14 Phase I Neptune Cave System (Entrance B) 434197 85450 010º ~50m 40m 80 434204 85490 West of Freshwater Bay 15 No survey Fort Redoubt Cave West 434402 85447 358º ~70m 57m 92 434399 85505 16 No survey Fort Redoubt Cave Middle 434399 85445 017º ~80m 55m 73 434414 85498 17 No survey Fort Redoubt Cave East 434455 85451 355º ~80m 60m 95 434450 85510 18 No survey Fort Redoubt Slot 434459 85465 303º ~100m 75m 147 434394 85507 19 No survey Freshwater Cave West 434494 85471 337º ~60m 43m 115 434473 85511 20 No survey Freshwater Cave East 434494 85471 337º ~60m 45m 117 434476 85511 21 No survey Mermette Cave West 434918 85506 035º ~120m 60m 57 434950 85558 22 No survey Mermette Cave East 434918 85506 035º ~120m 60m 53 434954 85554 23 No survey Mermaid's Cave West 434918 85506 035º ~120m 95m 23 435005 85544 Bay 24 No survey Mermaid's Cave Middle 435003 85480 030º ~80m 52m 60 435028 85526 25 No survey Mermaid's Cave East 435056 85478 005º ~100m 80m 85 435061 85528 East of Freshwater 26 Phase II Left Nostril Cave, Culver Cliff 463797 85439 463797 85439 27 Phase I Right Nostril Cave, Culver Cliff 463805 85446 463805 85446 Cliff Culver 28 Phase I Culver Cut * 463931 85574 ~25m 25m 463931 85574 * ‘Culver Cut’ was not a ‘true cave’ as such, as there was no ‘roof’ or overhang present. However, the communities/biotopes which were recorded on the shaded vertical chalk faces were very similar to those present in the nearby caves of the Nostrils.

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3.3 Survey methodology

3.3.1 Logistics

For the duration of the survey two low tide periods occurred during daylight hours and both were utilised each day. Low tides occurred in the early morning and late afternoon/evening. The plan was to work the flood tide during the early morning (it being too dark to work the ebb tide as well), and to work the ebb tide during the evening (again, it being too dark after low water to work much of the flood tide period). The period during the middle of the day (approximately 5-6 hours) was used for writing up notes, sorting specimens, downloading photographs and resting. The times of low waters, together with the times of sunrise and sunset, are given in Table 2.

Seven tidal periods were worked in total, the first period being on the Monday afternoon/evening and the last on the Thursday afternoon/evening. It was important for the planning of the survey to be as flexible as possible, as so much depended on the daily weather conditions. Entry into many of the caves would have been impossible in sea conditions greater than a force 2/3 from the south-west. Fortunately, the winds for the four days of survey remained (largely) light and variable, providing sea conditions which allowed access to all of the caves prioritised for surveying. Much of the planning for each foray into the ‘field’ had to be done shortly before launching the boat, or even whilst at sea, being dependent on the sea conditions at that time. Table 3 sets out what was accomplished during each low tide period.

Table 2. Tide Times & Daylight Times.

Tide times / heights for Freshwater, Isle of Wight. 2005 Predictions generated from Reeds Nautical Almanac 2005 times corrected to BST LW HW LW sunrise sunset day date month time ht time ht time ht Mon 05 Sep 0551 0.8 1106 2.4 1805 1.0 0626 1943 Tue 06 Sep 0619 0.8 1137 2.4 1832 1.0 0628 1940 Wed 07 Sep 0646 0.9 1206 2.4 1859 1.0 0629 1938 Thu 08 Sep 0713 1.0 1236 2.4 1929 1.1 0630 1936 0758 1441 3.0 2019 0.1

Figures in italics (bottom row) relate to tide times for 8th September for Bembridge (Foreland) based on Portsmouth Standard Port.

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Table 3. Tasks undertaken over each low tide period.

Date LW time Survey period Tasks undertaken (height) (boat launch to boat recovery) 5 Sept. 18:05 (1.0m) 16.10 – 19.35 Phase I survey of White Cliffs Cave East and White Cliffs Cave West. Mark GPS positions of a number of cave entrances on return to Freshwater 6 Sept 06:19 (0.8m) 06:15 – 08:20 Phase I survey of Neptune Cave West. Initial look-see of Neptune Cave System, but swell too great to hold boat in shallows safely. Mark GPS positions of cave entrances in Neptune & Freshwater cave systems, & also of caves on east side of Freshwater Bay (Mermaid caves) 18:32 (1.0m) 16.10 – 19.40 Phase I survey of Bar Cave. Phase II survey of Needles Cave. 7 Sept 06:46 (0.9m) 06.15 – 09.20 Phase II survey of Lord Holmes’ Cellar cave. Phase I survey of Lord Holmes’ Parlour cave. Take GPS fixes on Frenchman’s Hole, Bar Cave, and Little and Large Caves. 18:59 (1.0m) 16.30 – 20.10 Phase II survey of Lord Holmes’ Kitchen cave. Phase I survey of Lord Holmes’ Privy cave. Phase I survey of Lord Holmes’ Scullery cave. Phase I survey of Frenchman’s Hole cave. 8 Sept 07:13 (1.0m) 06.15 – 09.20 Phase I survey of Little cave. Freshwater Phase I survey of Large cave. Phase I survey of Neptune Cave System. 20:19 (0.1m) 16.30 – 19.40 Phase I survey of Culver Cut, Culver Cliff. Bembridge Phase II survey of Left Nostril cave, Culver Cliff. Phase I survey of Right Nostril cave, Culver Cliff.

Fortunately, sea conditions were sufficiently calm on the first afternoon/evening for the boat to be taken right around the Needles to the section of coast known as White Cliffs on the south-west side of Alum Bay. This provided an opportunity to identify all of the caves between Alum Bay and Freshwater Bay and to mark the entrance of each with a GPS position.

During the following three days, the number of caves surveyed over each low tide period varied depending on the size of the cave(s) in question and whether the cave was to be surveyed to a Phase I level of detail or to a Phase II level (see Table 4 and section 3.3.4 below). The team of four surveyors were divided into two pairs – one pair to record the physical characteristics of each cave, and the other to record the biological characteristics. The overall size of each of the caves allowed for the two pairs to work alongside each other at the same time in the same cave.

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Table 4. English Nature’s required information for each cave surveyed.

Inventory of caves (Phase I) 1 Location 2 Aspect / orientation 3 Cave dimensions/shape: length, width at entrance, height at entrance 4 Shore zones found within cave and at the entrance 5 Height on the shore of floor of the cave at entrance (by intertidal zone) 6 Classification of caves by type (see Bunker & Holt, 2003) 7 Biotopes present within the cave and at the entrance 8 Brief description of the cave and photographic record. The description should highlight any factors which may be causing damage or disturbance. 9 Access route

Phase II survey of caves (additional information) 10 Cave dimensions / shape recorded using a sketch plan, if practical from a datum line to create a 3D plan (see Bunker & Holt, 2003) 11 Phase II [habitat & species] records for each biotope identified using MNCR recording forms (if practical) and photographic records 12 Distribution of individual biotopes present within the cave using 3D plan/sketch, including estimates of approximate area covered 13 Collection of specimens, particularly filamentous and encrusting algae for later identification

3.3.2 Recording the location of each cave

Photographs were taken of the entrance of each cave from a position 50-100 m offshore, with bearings taken from the point at which the photograph was taken to the cave entrance. A GPS position fix was also taken at this point. Due to the positions of sea caves at the foot of the very tall cliffs, it was impossible to get a good GPS signal from a sufficient number of satellites to gain accurate positions of the actual cave entrances. GPS positions for each cave entrance were therefore taken from the same place as the location photographs, a short distance offshore. The actual positions of the cave entrances have since been calculated using MapInfo GIS software (see Table 5).

3.3.3 Recording the physical details of each cave

For all of the caves surveyed (to both Phase I and Phase II levels of detail), the following information was recorded by the ‘physical surveyors’ on a pro-forma recording sheet (see Appendix II):

• Photograph and sketch of the cave entrance. • The aspect and orientation of the cave entrance.

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• The height and width of the entrance (maxima) and the maximum length of cave. Measuring tapes were used to measure the width and the length (reeled out from the back of the cave to the entrance), and a laser-measuring device (‘Strait Line’) was used to measure heights of cave entrances beyond 2 m. In some instances where it was not possible to make accurate measurements, the height and width of the entrances were estimated and have been recorded as such. • A rough plan of the floor of the cave, marking where the length and width measurements were taken. • The height on the shore (littoral zone) of the floor at the entrance. • Any photographs taken of the cave entrance or within the cave.

For caves being surveyed to Phase II level, more detail was required. An attempt was made to secure the two ends of the tape measuring the length of the cave (from the back of the cave to the entrance) using pitons hammered into the chalk. However, the chalk rock was so hard that this proved impossible. Instead, the tape was laid in a straight line on the floor of the cave (if this was above sea level), or held taut by two surveyors (if the cave was partially flooded). A series of profiles (cross-sections) could then be taken at measured intervals along this datum line, to provide an indication of the space within the cave.

The number of profiles measured in this way depended upon the complexity of each cave: a simple semi-cylindrical or semi-conical cave (viewed along horizontal axes) required just two profiles (one close to each end), while a complex cave may have required several profiles to be drawn. The majority of caves surveyed were fairly linear in their lay-out, and thus relatively straightforward to measure.

In order to create a series of profiles, the following procedure was followed. Having made a rough sketch of the ‘floor plan’ of the cave, the position of the first profile along the length datum line was agreed by the two physical surveyors. The width of the cave perpendicular to this position on the length datum line was then measured, starting with ‘0 m’ on the right-hand side (looking towards the back of the cave). Working from left to right across this width, the height of the ceiling above the floor was recorded every metre using the same tape measure. Where heights exceeded 2 m or thereabouts (i.e. beyond an individual’s capacity to hold the tape to the ceiling), a hand-held laser measuring device was used. This gave accurate readings where a flat surface parallel to the ground could be found to bounce back the laser, but quite often such surfaces were hard to find. In these cases an estimate of the height of the ceiling was made.

3.3.4 Recording the biological details of each cave

For all caves surveyed, the shore zone within which the floor of the entrance to the cave occurred was recorded, together with the habitat type of the cave floor. The communities occurring on the walls and ceilings of these caves were also recorded though the means by which this was done depended on whether the communities were being recorded to Phase I level (when they were simply noted as being ‘present’ within the cave), or to Phase II level (when an indication of the extent of each ‘community’, typically dominated by a certain colour of algae or cyanobacteria, was

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noted on each of the cross-sections undertaken). It proved impossible, however, even to estimate the area covered by each community, as often they occurred in many small and disparate patches. Instead the extent of each community along each cross-section was indicated on a rough sketch.

Once the identification of collected samples had been completed, biotopes were assigned to the cave communities, following the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s (JNCC) most recent Marine Biotope Classification for Britain and Ireland (Connor et al., 2004). These biotope categories are given within the text describing the biological communities within each cave (see section 4.1.1 – 4.1.17). MNCR littoral habitat forms have not been completed, as this proved impractical to do during the field studies and there has been insufficient time to complete them during the report writing phase of the project.

Based on the information collected, the caves encountered have been classified into four main types, primarily based on their physical nature. The classification of the caves encountered is elaborated upon further in section 5.3 of the Discussion section of this report.

3.3.5 Photography

A total of 247 digital photographs were taken of cave locations, entrances and internal views. The internal views included representations of individual biotopes present within each cave (including those recorded during the Phase I inventory). Photographs were downloaded onto a laptop computer after each survey period and were re-named with site-specific codes. Where possible, the positions from which each internal photograph was taken were transposed onto the floor plan of the cave in question. These ‘location of photographs’ sketches are included with each cave description in the Inventory of Caves accompanying this report. A full list of photographs is given in Appendix IV, and a full set of photographs has been produced on CD to accompany this report. All photographs that were taken have been included on the CD, even though a small percentage are out of focus or are blurred due to water droplets being present on the lens of the camera housing. The inclusion of these photographs is because they may still show some point of interest and may be the only record of such a point.

3.3.6 Preparation of cave diagrams

Sketches made in the field on ‘wet slates’ were reproduced at the end of each survey day as fair copies on paper. For the purposes of the inventory, these included a sketch of the cave entrance and a sketch of the floor plan of the cave. For those caves surveyed to Phase II level, a more detailed floor plan was required, which indicated where cross-sectional interpretations of the biotopes were taken, together with the physical cross-section diagrams themselves.

3.3.7 The naming of caves

A number of the caves surveyed were shown as ‘named caves’ on the 1:10,000 Ordnance Survey map. These were: Needles Cave, three of Lord Holmes’ Caves

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(‘Kitchen’, ‘Parlour’, ‘Cellar’), Frenchman’s Hole, Bar Cave, Neptune’s Caves and Freshwater Cave) – see Fig. 28. The remaining caves appeared to be nameless and so names for them were invented by the survey team. The names allocated tried to reflect the geographical position of the cave (e.g. White Cliffs Cave West); a feature of the cave entrance (e.g. Little Cave and Large Cave); or simply to fit in with existing names (e.g. Lord Holmes’ Scullery). See also further comments on this in section 5.2 of the Discussion section.

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4. Results

[NOTE: this section should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Cave Inventory].

4.1 Descriptions of caves

In the following descriptions, the caves are listed in the order in which they were found from west to east along the south coast of the Isle of Wight. Note that the biotope descriptions given here were not completed on site but rather after analysis of the samples of encrusting flora had been completed. Also, that several of the algal identifications should be considered provisional (where indicated by a ‘?’) pending further taxonomic study. Physical measurements were accurately measured with tapes or a laser measure wherever possible, but where this was not done, an approximate measurement is given, being indicated thus: '~8m'.

Measuring the dimensions of a cave followed a standard procedure wherever possible, following guidelines set out in Bunker & Holt, 2003. Measurements for the length of a cave were always taken from the rear of the cave towards the entrance; and cross- sectional measurements were always taken from the right-hand wall (facing the rear of the cave).

As will be seen in the following descriptions, the distinction between the survey level (i.e. Phase I or Phase II) in some cases was not that clear. If a cave that was due to be surveyed to Phase I level (i.e. without cross-sectional measurements and biotope distributions) proved to be of particular interest, then more time and effort was spent on acquiring meaningful data for that cave. Thus, some Phase I caves have cross-sectional diagrams and more accurate biotope distributions and/or species lists included within their descriptions.

In the biological descriptions, biotope codes are included in the text wherever possible. These are simply the endings of the full biotope code, given in full in section 5.4.

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Table 5. List of all caves encountered during the current survey, with entrance measurements (where taken).

Level of Actual position of entrance Max. height of No. survey Name of Cave X_co-ordinate Y_co-ordinate entrance Max. width of entrance Max. length of cave 1 Phase I White Cliffs Cave East 429477 84946 4.6 m (measured) 14.5 m (measured) 16.0 m (measured) 2 Phase I White Cliffs Cave West 429375 84926 6.0 m (measured) 9.5 m (measured) 12.0 m (measured) 3 Phase II Needles Cave, Scratchell's Bay 429833 84627 4 m (approx.) 4 m (approx.) 37.0 m (measured) 4 Phase I Lord Holmes' Privy 431007 84896 6 m (measured) 17.3 m (measured) 7.0 m (measured) 5 Phase II Lord Holmes' Kitchen 431100 84921 2.0 m (approx.) 10 m (approx.) 15.0 m (measured) 6 Phase I Lord Holmes' Parlour 431142 84920 3 - 5 m (approx.) 10 m (approx.) 26.0 m (measured) 7 Phase II Lord Holmes' Cellar 431214 84925 4 m (approx.) 20 m (approx.) 37 m (measured?) 8 Phase I Lord Holmes' Scullery 431307 84925 2.5 m (approx.) 8 m (approx.) 35.0 m (measured) 9 Phase I Frenchman's Hole 431484 84922 2 m (approx.) 5 m (approx.) 29.2 m (measured) 10 Phase I Bar Cave 433953 85472 4 m (approx.) 2 m (approx.) 18.0 m (measured) 11 Phase I Little Cave 434042 85475 3 m (approx.) 5.4 m (measured) 21.5 m (measured) 12 Phase I Large Cave 434046 85475 6 m (approx.) 6.0 m (measured) 46.1 m (measured) 13 Phase I Neptune Cave West 434176 85490 6.5 m (measured) 16 m (measured) 25.0 m (measured) West of Freshwater Bay 14 Phase I Neptune Cave System 434204 85490 5 - 7 m (measured) 6.1 - 10.0 m (measured) 41.8 m (measured) 15 No survey Fort Redoubt Cave West 434399 85505 16 No survey Fort Redoubt Cave Middle 434414 85498 17 No survey Fort Redoubt Cave East 434450 85510 18 No survey Fort Redoubt Slot 434394 85507 19 No survey Freshwater Cave West 434473 85511 20 No survey Freshwater Cave East 434476 85511 21 No survey Mermette Cave West 434950 85558 22 No survey Mermette Cave East 434954 85554 23 No survey Mermaid's Cave West 435005 85544

East of 24 No survey Mermaid's Cave Middle 435028 85526

Freshwater Bay 25 No survey Mermaid's Cave East 435061 85528 26 Phase II Left Nostril Cave, Culver Cliff 463797 85439 8 m (approx.) 12 m (measured) 18.5 m (measured) 27 Phase I Right Nostril Cave, Culver Cliff 463805 85446 6 m (approx.) 6.5 m (measured) 38.5 m (measured) Cliff Culver 28 Phase I Culver Cut * 463931 85574 3.6 m (measured) 1.5 m (measured) 6.5 m (measured)

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4.1.1 White Cliffs Cave East [Phase I survey]

This cave lies at the southern end of Alum Bay, approximately 100m due east of White Cliffs Cave West. This cave was surveyed at 17:00 hrs on 5th September 2005.

WHITE CLIFFS CAVE EAST

Fig. 5. White Cliffs Cave East location. Plate 4. Entrance to White Cliffs Cave East. [Photo. ref. WCCE_2]

4.2.1.1 Physical description White Cliffs Cave East has an open arch entrance, 14.5m wide at its base with a maximum height at its centre of 4.6m +. The entrance faced N/NW on a N-facing shore. The maximum length from the middle of the entrance to the back of the cave was 16.0m, following an approximate mid-line from the back to the entrance. The ceiling height close to the back of the cave was less than 1.0m. The floor was of rounded flint pebbles/shingle on a slope of 20º which steepened towards the back of the cave to 45º. A plan of the cave floor was approximately semi-circular and approximately symmetrical (see Fig. 6 below).

Fig. 6. White Cliffs Cave East floor plan.

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4.2.1.2 Biological description The upper walls and ceiling close to the entrance were dominated by a green algal tinge extending ~8m towards the back of the cave (GCv). The ceiling was then dominated by a band of black and dark green chrysophyceae/ cyanobacteria for a further 4m (ChrHap + cyanobacteria). The furthestmost 4.5m at the back of cave had a ceiling height of less than 1m (above the pebble floor) and was stained with red and green growths. Patches of the algae Rhodochorton purpurea (red) and Pilinia rimosa (golden) were present at the back of the cave (AudPil). A narrow scour zone was present around base of walls, with white chalk bedrock showing (BarCv). On the west wall, 12m along the mid-line and 2-3m from the floor was a noticeable brown gelatinous growth (ChrHap). Marine animal communities, most noticeably limpets (Patella vulgata @ 1-9/m2) and barnacles (Semibalanus balanoides mostly with some Chthalamus montagui, together @ 1-9/10cm2), extended from the entrance approx. 3m into cave, overlying a green algal film (ScrFa +GCv).

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes

LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Chrysophyceae and As black, dark green and brown Haptophyceae on vertical upper growths on upper walls and ceiling. littoral fringe soft rock LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and At entrance extending for at least 8m mid-shore cave walls and towards the back of cave. ceilings. LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil Audouinella purpurea and Patches of Rhodochorton and Pilinia Cladophora rupestris on upper present at back of cave. to mid-shore cave walls LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and At entrance extending approx. 3m spirorbids) on sand/pebble- into cave. Fauna limited to limpets scoured rock in upper littoral to and barnacles only. lower shore caves LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured Around lowest part of walls (scour littoral cave walls and floors zone) from halfway to back of cave.

The following species of flora (algae, lichens and cyanobacteria) were recorded by IT from this cave, after analysis of a number of rock samples in the laboratory (see also Appendix I):

Location: inner green outer outer, 2m up, light west side, zone, 2m up green and dark brown outer, 2- Species of flora zone gelatinous crusts 3m up Apistonema carterae 9 9 9 Entophysalis conferta 9 9 9 Hyella caespitosa 9 Pilinia rimosa (Waerneilla lucifuga) 9 Pseudendoclonium submarinum 9 9 Schizothrix sp. 9 9

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4.1.2 White Cliffs Cave West [Phase I survey]

This cave lies at the southern end of Alum Bay, approximately 100m due west of White Cliffs Cave East. This cave was surveyed at 18:00 hrs on 5th September 2005.

WHITE CLIFFS CAVE WEST

Fig. 7. White Cliffs Cave West location. Plate 5. Entrance to White Cliffs Cave West. [Photo. ref. WCCW_2]

4.2.2.1 Physical description White Cliffs Cave West is an arched cave with an open triangular entrance, 9.5m wide and with a maximum height of ~6.0m. The entrance faced N/NW on a N-facing shore. The maximum length of the cave was 12.0m, following an approximate mid-line from the back to the entrance. This included a ~3.0m long narrow crack (~15cm wide) at the back of the cave. The ceiling height lessened towards the back and sides of the cave to less than 1.0m, though a rounded vertical ‘shaft’ ~3m high extended upwards at the very back of the cave. The floor was of rounded flint pebbles/shingle (finer then those present in the neighbouring White Cliff Cave East) on an even slope of 20º. A plan of the cave floor (Fig. 8) was approximately semi-circular and roughly symmetrical.

Fig. 8. White Cliffs Cave West floor plan.

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4.2.2.2 Biological description A scour zone at the base of the walls extended around the interior of the cave above the pebble floor (BarCv). For the most part this was 20cm in height, though at the back of the cave it extended higher. The wall/ceiling 1.5m from the back of the cave had various growths on it representing three biotopes: ChrHap, AudPil and GCv. These three biotopes were represented in varying proportions elsewhere on the walls/ceiling. ChrHap was indicated by the presence of gelatinous growths, typically dark brown in colour; AudPil by the presence of the algae Rhodochorton purpurea and Pilinia rimosa; and GCv by the presence of the green alga Pseudendoclonium submarinum. Closer to the entrance (and covering the walls of the entrance itself), marine animal communities were dominated by limpets (Patella vulgata @ 1-9/m2) and barnacles (Semibalanus balanoides mostly with some Chthalamus montagui, together @ 1-9/10cm2) (ScrFa), overlying a green algal film. Outside the cave on the vertical chalk cliff on either side of the entrance were three distinct colour bands indicating a zonation of different communities. Just exposed at low water level was a red band extending 20-30cm up the cliff (the algal species here were not noted, so the biotope represented is uncertain). This was followed by a 2.5m high green band (GCv), above which was a 1m wide black band (ChrHap). The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae on As black, dark green and brown vertical upper littoral fringe soft rock growths on upper walls and ceiling. LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and mid- At entrance extending for at least shore cave walls and ceilings. 8m towards the back of cave. LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil Audouinella purpurea and Cladophora Patches of Rhodochorton and rupestris on upper to mid-shore cave Pilinia present at back of cave. walls LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) At entrance extending approx. on sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper 3m into cave. Fauna limited to littoral to lower shore caves limpets and barnacles only. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral Around lowest part of walls cave walls and floors (scour zone) from halfway to back of cave.

The following species of flora (algae, lichens and cyanobacteria) were recorded by IT, after analysis of a number of rock samples in the laboratory (see also Appendix I): Location: sm out, 2m out 2-3m 8m out, 10m out, 2m up, Species of flora 1.5m up, 5m up out, 2m up brown gelatinous shaded 1.5m crust Apistonema carterae 9 9 9 Entophysalis conferta 9 9 9 9 Pilinia rimosa (Waerneilla 9 9 9 9 9 lucifuga) Pseudendoclonium submarinum 9 9 9 Rhodochorton purpureum 9 Schizothrix sp. 9 9 Verrucaria sp 9

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4.1.3 Needles Cave [Phase II survey]

Needles Cave is found at the eastern end of Scratchell’s Bay, and is approximately 800m ESE of the Needles Lighthouse. It lies at the foot of an impressive 100+m high vertical chalk cliff with the chalk strata, including numerous narrow bands of flints, orientated diagonally. The cave, which is also known as Scratchell’s Cave, was surveyed in 1986 by one of the survey team (Ian Tittley) together with Sarah Fowler (then of the Nature Conservancy Council) as part of a general survey of chalk caves outside SE England (see Tittley 1988). IT recalled that the small open fishing boat they were aboard was able to enter the cave completely. This feat could only have been achieved in flat calm conditions, and we were fortunate to have the same conditions when undertaking a survey of the cave from 17:20 – 18.40 hrs on 6th September 2005. Indeed, we were able to beach our small inflatable at the end of the cave, whilst undertaking the survey.

Fig. 9. Needles Cave location. Plate 6. Entrance to Needles Cave, Scratchell’s Bay. [Photo. ref. NC_ent_05]

4.2.3.1 Physical description This is the only cave with a west-facing entrance. The entrance itself is small (~4m wide and ~4m high) and roughly triangular. Beyond the entrance the cave is tunnel- like, 37m deep/long (making it one of the longest caves surveyed), with widths varying from 5.4m near the entrance to a maximum width of 14.3m some 15m from the back of the cave. The maximum ceiling height is ~6m, the higher parts of the ceiling occurring in the first (outer) third of the cave. At the time of survey (over low water @1.0m above Chart Datum), about 70% of the floor of the cave was flooded with sea water to a depth of 0 - ~2m. The remainder of the cave floor was of large bedrock outcrops and boulders (Fig. 10). By surveying this cave in the early evening, sunlight shone right into the cave, reflecting off the water, walls and ceiling and illuminating even the far end of the cave. This allowed for a much better appreciation of the cave as a whole. A photograph of the far end of this cave is included in the frontispiece of this report.

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Fig. 10. Needles Cave floor plan.

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Fig. 11. Sketched cross-sections at three positions within Needles Cave.

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Ceiling heights were measured at 1m horizontal distances across the cave at five cross-sections, as set out in Table 6. Sketched profiles are presented in Fig. 11.

Table 6. Ceiling heights (in metres) at four positions along the length of Needles Cave. Note that all cross-sectional measurements start from the right-hand wall (facing the rear of the cave).

Cross-section at 4m along mid-line (from rear of cave) (T1) 1m 2m 3m 4m 5m 6m 7m 8m 9m 10m 0.72 0.80 0.92 1.01 1.40 1.24 1.25 1.19 0.86 0.57

Cross-section at 6.7m along mid-line (from rear of cave) (T2) 1m 2m 3m 4m 5m 6m 7m 8m 9m 10m 11m 12m 13m 14m 0.51 0.46 0.83 1.87 2.00 1.33 1.38 1.62 2.18 2.50 1.78 1.21 0.68 0.38

Cross-section at 16m along mid-line (from rear of cave) (T3) 1m 2m 3m 4m 5m 6m 7m 8m 9m 10m 11m 12m 13m 1.30 2.22 ~5.0 ~3.0 2.30 2.60 2.30 3.10 3.50 2.10 1.60 0.98 0.42

Cross-section at 24m along mid-line (from rear of cave) (T4) 1m 2m 3m 4m 5m 6m 7m 8m 9m 10m 10.1m 10.9m 1.80 3.20 3.30 2.60 ~3.0 0.60 See note 1 1.20 1.80 0.80 0.50 0.00 0.70 1.03 3.00 5.00 4.10 3.10 3.00 2.50 2.20 1.50 1.30 1.30 0.00

Cross-section at 33m along mid-line (from rear of cave) (T5) 1m 1.2m 1.5m 2m 3m 4m 4.9m ~5m ~4.4 0.6 0.6 ~6 ~5.6 ~5.0 ~4.0 2.50 2.20 0.00 All heights measured to water level (depth ~ 1m) Note 1. As can be seen in the floor plan, a number of large angular boulders were present on the right- hand side of the cave, from the entrance to midway into the cave. Figures in the first row are ceiling heights from the tops of the boulders; figures in the second row are the estimated heights of the boulders from the (unseen) cave floor; figures in the third row are the (estimated) ceiling heights above the cave floor.

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4.2.3.2 Biological description Biological records were made at four of the cross-sections within the cave, at 6.7m, 16.0m, 24.0m and 32.0m. The notes made from each of these cross-sections are presented in Table 7.

A full list of floral species recorded from within the cave is given in Table 8.

Table 7. Notes made from Needles Cave cross-sections, with biotopes represented. [All width measurements are taken from the right-hand wall of the cave, facing towards the back of the cave.] Cross-section @ 6.7m from back of cave (T2). Biotopes represented 0-5m Extensive brown crust (sampled) on horizontal ceiling. Near- (uncertain biotope) width vertical face with red crusts, 0.5m wide (lower) to green-tinged VmucHil? (Hyella caespitosa) rock to max. ceiling height of ~3m, 2-3m from opposite wall, with occasional crustose Corallinaceae GCv patches and occasional red patches. ? 4m out 1.5m ceiling height – brown crust extends almost to scoured ? from wall part of wall, and becomes steadily paler.

Cross-section @16.0m from back of cave (T3) Biotopes represented 20cm Scour zone BarCv height 0.2 – 1.0m Typical CvOv biotope with barnacle spat/Dynamena pumila, FaCr small encrusting orange sponge (indet.) and small Halichondria panicea. Forms a band 0-2m wide. 1.0 – 3.0m Crustose Corallinaceae, with lower part with large crustose ScrFa reds, some Patella vulgata, with green tinge (?Hyella caespitosa) increasing in upper part. 3.0 – 5.0 – Covers the highest part of the ceiling. Green tinge continuous GCv 4.0m across downwards-sloping ceiling (~7m across cave). 4.0 – 3.0m Sloping roof with crustose algae 1 including a mix of red ?VmucHil 1 Corallinaceae and dark brown crusts. 3.0m (Cave centre). Predominance of green algae with patches of red ? crusts and coralline crusts. 3.0 – 4.0m (Midway across cave). Grey tinge to chalk rock, with many Uncertain biotope more flints apparent. 2.0 – 1.0 Brown crusts on north side of sloping wall. Uncertain biotope m 1.0 – 0.2m Zone of spirorbids with occasional Pomatoceros sp., ScrFa ?Dynamena pumilla, Actinia fragacea, bryozoan crust (indet.). ‘Classic’ overhang community. 0.2 – 0m Scour zone. BarCv Footnote: 1 It was from this biotope that the new encrusting red algal species was collected (see further comment on this in the Discussion section)

Cross-section @ 24.0m from back of cave (T4) Biotopes represented Large angular boulders on floor of cave up to halfway across (from RH side). No scour zone present. 0 – 1.0m Animal-dominated zone with spirorbids, small orange FaCr

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encrusting sponge (indet.) & hydroids. 1.0 – 1.5m Brown crust zone (sampled). ? 1.5 – 4.5m Blue-green zone (Hyella caespitosa). ?GCv 4.5 – 4.0m Approx. midway across cave. Predominantly green with ?AudCla crustose Corallinaceae and ?Cladophora sp (sampled). 4.0 – 3.0m Green tinge zone for 3m width. GCv 3.0 – 2.0m Corallinaceae with some green tinge. ? 2.0 – 1.0m Barnacle / spirorbid zone with Actinia equina (rare), Patella sp. FaCr (rare) on overhang. Water level Floor Boulders with crustose Corallinaceae, small encrusting orange ?ScrFa (below sponge (indet.), Patella sp. (rare), Halichondria panicea and water blue-green patches. level)

Cross-section @ 32.0m Biotopes represented Water level 1.5m above cave floor. Floor with various red algae including crustose Corallinaceae and Corallina officinalis. 0 – 1.0m Barnacles, Patella sp., small patches of encrusting orange ?ScrFa sponge (indet.), plus sparse Enteromorpha [Ulva sp.]. 1.0 – 3.0m Pitted chalk with boring blue-green Hyella caespitosa and ?GCv Patella sp. 3.0 – 5.0m Green crust with Rhodochorton purpureum on shaded sloping AudPil rock. 5.0 – 2.5m (Centre line). Green crust with Hildenbrandia sp. on exposed ?VmucHil flints. 2.5 – 1.5m Pitted chalk with blue-green Hyella caespitosa and Patella sp. 2.0 – 1.5m Barnacles, Patella sp. and Halichondria panicea I ScrFa 1.5 – 1.0m Corallinaceae dark zone with Patella sp.

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and mid-shore On upper walls and ceiling, cave walls and ceilings. probably featuring Hyella caespitosa. LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil Audinella purpurea and Pilinia maritima On sloping shaded bedrock from 3- crusts on upper and mid-shore cave walls and 5m up wall, at 33m cross-section. ceilings Lr.FLR.CvOv.AudCla Audinella purpurea and Cladophora rupestris On ceiling (mid-line) halfway along on upper to mid-shore cave walls cave, with crustose Corallinaceae. LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil Verrucaria mucosa and/or Hildenbrandia Hildenbrandia present, often with rubra on upper to mid shore cave walls other red crusts and green tinge. LR.FLR.CvOv.FaCr Faunal crusts on wave-surged littoral cave On lower walls at mid to rear end of walls cave. LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) on On lower walls throughout cave. sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper littoral to lower shore caves LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral cave On lowest part of wall at 17m cross- walls and floors section, but absent elsewhere

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Table 8. Floral species recorded from various locations within Needles Cave.

Species of flora

Location: T2 6.7m from head, 1.75m up, out facing side 7m from north T3 17.0m out T5 side North 33m out 15m out, side: South 1.5m up, shaded vertical 12-14m side: South 1.5m up, shaded out, 11m out, side: South 1.5m up wall, vertical 10m from side: South head, 1.5m up, vertical 27m out side: South Apistonema carterae 9 9 Cladophora rupestris 9 Cladophora sp. 9 Codiolum sp. 9 9 Entophysalis conferta 9 9 Hildenbrandia sp. 9 9 Hyella caespitosa 9 9 9 9 9 Indet black crust 9 Indet dark brown crust 9 9 9 9 Indet red crust 9 9 9 9 Indet red crust 2 9 9 Phymatolithon lenormandii 9 9 9 9 9 Pilinia rimosa (Waerneilla 9 9 lucifuga) Pseudendoclonium submarinum 9 Rhodochorton purpureum 9 9 Verrucaria sp ? ?

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4.1.4 Lord Holmes’ Privy [Phase I survey]

This cave is the westernmost of five caves which all are found within 150m of each other, and are known collectively as Lord Holmes’ caves. This cave was surveyed at 18:00 hrs on 7th September 2005.

LORD HOLMES’ PRIVY

Fig. 12. Lord Holmes’ Privy location. Plate 7. Entrance to Lord Holmes’ Privy. [Photo. ref. LHPr_01]

4.1.4.1 Physical description As can be seen from the photograph above, Lord Holmes’ Privy is a very open cave, having an entrance width of 17.30m yet a length of just 7.00m. It is an example of the beginnings of an arched cave, with a floor of rounded flint pebbles and, just outside the entrance, the occasional chalk boulder/bedrock outcrop offering some protection from wave action. The maximum height of the entrance, which is roughly in the centre of the arch, is 6.0m. The floor of the cave was at least 0.4m above sea level at the time of the survey (1 hour before low water, height 1.0m above chart datum).

Fig. 13. Lord Holmes’ Privy floor plan.

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4.1.4.2 Biological description There is a narrow (10-40cm) scour zone around the base of the walls just above the flint pebbles forming the floor (BarCv). Above this is a zone of green (Blidingia sp.) for a further ~1m (Lic.Bli), which then gives way to a mid-wall area of gelatinous black growth mixed with Chrysophyceae (ChrHap). Both sides of this area are dominated by Chrysophyceae alone (ChrHap). On the highest part of the wall/ceiling, there is an area of grey growth (uncertain biotope), with a black gelatinous algal growth either side of it (ChrHap).

Fig. 14. Distribution of main growths within Lord Holmes’ Privy.

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae on Widespread in various guises on vertical upper littoral fringe soft rock upper walls/ceiling. LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) on On left (west) side of entrance, sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper littoral to particularly with Patella sp. lower shore caves dominant on diatom film. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral cave Present as narrow band just above walls and floors pebble floor. LR.FLR.Lic.Bli ‘Blidingia spp. on vertical littoral fringe soft Present as green zone on right (east) rock’ side of entrance.

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4.1.5 Lord Holmes’ Kitchen [Phase II survey]

This cave is one of five caves which all are found within 150m of each other, and are known collectively as Lord Holmes’ caves. This cave was surveyed at 17:00 hrs on 7th September 2005.

LORD HOLMES’ KITCHEN

Fig. 15. Lord Holmes’ Kitchen location. Plate 8. Entrance to Lord Holmes’ Kitchen. [Photo. ref. LHK_ent]

4.1.5.1 Physical description As can be seen from Plate 8, the entrance to Lord Holmes’ Kitchen is low (~ 2.0m) yet wide (~ 10.0m). The cave itself is tunnel-like and has a length of 15.0m. The maximum height of the ceiling is ~ 2.5m, approximately halfway into the cave. The

Fig. 16. Lord Holmes’ Kitchen floor plan

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floor of the cave consisted of a mix of gravel and pebbles forming a slope of 15º. The outer 3m of the cave floor (small boulders and pebbles) was covered by water at the time of the survey (2 hours before low water, height 1.0m above chart datum). The shore here has a southerly aspect and the orientation of the cave entrance is also south-facing. A jumble of large boulders is present just outside the entrance which provides some protection from wave action.

A single cross-section was taken at 7.0m along the mid-line (see Table 9).

Table 9. Ceiling heights (in metres) at a single position within Lord Holmes’ Kitchen cave. Note that all cross-sectional measurements start from the right-hand wall (facing the rear of the cave). See also Fig. 12.

Cross-section at 7.0m along mid-line (from rear of cave) 1m 2m 3m 4m 5m 6m 7m 1.0 1.5 1.5 1.3 1.25 1.1 0.5

4.1.5.2 Biological description A distinct scour zone of bare chalk 20-30cm high (BarCv) occurred at the base of the walls above the floor, covering a larger area at the rear of the cave. Above the scour zone, a pale green zone believed to be dominated by the alga Pseudendoclonium submarinum, continued onto the ceiling from 1.5-5.0m (GCv). This then gave way to a dark gelatinous green zone (ChrHap) from 5-~9m, after which there was a 1m wide patch of green algae mixed with Rhodochorton (AudPil) and Hildenbrandia on exposed flints (?VmucHil). On the east (right-hand) wall, the green algal zone (GCv) extended from 1.5-7m towards the entrance of the cave, after which a zone of limpet- rasped crustose Corallinaceae (?ScrFa) took over from 7-10m. The presence of barnacles (mostly Semibalanus balanoides) was noted to begin at 8m and continued to (and beyond) the entrance. The limpet-rasped crustose Corallinaceae zone extended from 0.5m – 2.0m up the wall and onto the ceiling. Below this zone, on the cross- section at 7.0m from the rear of the cave, a narrow (30cm wide) band of diatoms was noted. At the entrance, a greater proportion of foliose red algae were noted including Gelidium pusillum.

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae on Covering much of the central ceiling vertical upper littoral fringe soft rock area, sometimes mixed with AudPil. LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and mid- On walls and ceiling at the back and shore cave walls and ceilings. middle of the cave. LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil Audinella purpurea and Pilinia Rhodochorton purpurea present in maritima crusts on upper and mid- patches on ceiling. shore cave walls and ceilings LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) Typically present on the walls above the on sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper scour zone, from 0.5-2m above the littoral to lower shore caves floor. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral 20-30cm tall scour zone present around cave walls and floors the base of the walls.

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The following species of flora (algae, lichens and cyanobacteria) were recorded by IT from this cave, after analysis of a number of rock samples in the laboratory (see also Appendix I):

Location: Vertical wall at back Species of flora Apistonema carterae ? Pseudendoclonium submarinum 9

Fig. 17. (upper) Longitudinal section through the mid-line of Lord Holmes’ Kitchen and (lower) cross- section sketch at 7m along mid-line. See also Table 9 for accurate ceiling heights across this cross- section.

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4.1.6 Lord Holmes’ Parlour [Phase I survey]

This cave is one of five caves which all are found within 150m of each other, and are known collectively as Lord Holmes’ caves. This cave was surveyed at 08:00 hrs on 7th September 2005.

LORD HOLMES’ PARLOUR

Fig. 18. Lord Holmes’ Parlour location. Plate 9. Entrance to Lord Holmes’ Parlour. [Photo. ref. LHPa_ent]

4.1.6.1 Physical description In appearance, Lord Holmes’ Parlour could be described as a cave somewhere between being arched and tunnel-like; it is certainly ‘cavernous’. It has a low, wide entrance, ~10m wide and with a maximum height of ~3m (to the top of the dark area in the photograph above) or of ~5m (to the base of the flat rock in line with the outer cliff face). As with the neighbouring Lord Holmes’ Kitchen, the shore here has a southerly aspect and the orientation of the cave entrance is also south-facing. The length of the cave is 26.0m. The maximum height of the ceiling was ~7m (13m along mid-line from the rear of the cave), though this diminished to just 0.6m at 5m along the mid-line. The ceiling height increased again to 2-3m right at the rear of the cave. The walls/ceiling were notably smooth in appearance, particularly for the outer half of the cave. Most of the floor of the cave was of rounded flint pebbles (to a distance of 20m from the back of the cave), gradually sloping upwards towards a crest some 5m from the back of the cave. The outer half of the cave floor was under water at the start of the survey (1¼ hours after low water, height 0.9m above chart datum).

4.1.6.2 Biological description A scour zone, 20-50cm high, was present at the base of the walls above the pebble floor (BarCv), being broader at the rear of the cave and extending onto the ceiling. Before this area at the rear of the cave, much of the walls/ceiling had an overall covering of green with patches of red (GCv +?AudCla). There were also occasional patches of black gelatinous growths (ChrHap). The walls/ceiling of the outer two- thirds of the cave were dominated by crustose Corallinaceae, presenting a distinct pink colour. The outer part of the cave had a distinctive marine influence, with beadlet anemones Actinia equina (1-9/30cm x 30cm) and Patella sp. (1-9/m2) occurring on crustose Corallinaceae. By contrast, the inner half of the cave exhibited a distinct

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splash influence and was very similar to the adjacent cave of Lord Holmes’ Cellar, with green growths and black Chrysophyceae.

Fig. 19. Lord Holmes’ Parlour floor plan.

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae on Black gelatinous growths occurring on vertical upper littoral fringe soft rock rear part of ceiling LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and mid- On much of ceiling and walls. shore cave walls and ceilings. LR.FLR.CvOv.AudCla Audouinella purpurea and Cladophora (?)On central section of ceiling. rupestris on upper to mid-shore cave walls LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) Present on the walls close to the on sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper entrance, from 0.5-2m above the floor. littoral to lower shore caves LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral 20-50cm tall scour zone present around cave walls and floors the base of the walls.

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4.1.7 Lord Holmes’ Cellar [Phase II survey]

This cave is one of five caves which all are found within 150m of each other, and are known collectively as Lord Holmes’ caves. This cave was surveyed at 06:50 hrs on 7th September 2005.

LORD HOLMES’ CELLAR

Fig. 20. Lord Holmes’ Cellar location. Plate 10. Entrance to Lord Holmes’ Cellar. [Photo. ref. LHC_ent]

4.1.7.1 Physical description Lord Holmes’ Cellar is an arched cave with a wide entrance (width ~31m) which has a maximum height of ~6m. The shore has a southerly aspect and the orientation of the cave entrance is also south-facing. The length of the cave was ~37m (one of the longest surveyed), and the maximum measured height of the ceiling on one of the cross-sections was ~10.5m approximately 12m into the cave from the mouth. The floor of the front half of the cave had fine shingle overlying sand, while the rear half of the cave was of large pebbles.

Fig. 21. Lord Holmes’ Cellar floor plan.

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Ceiling heights were measured at 1m horizontal distances across the cave at four cross-sections, as set out in Table 10. Sketched profiles are presented in Fig. 22.

Table 10. Ceiling heights (in metres) at four positions along the length of Lord Holmes’ Cellar. Note that all cross-sectional measurements start from the right-hand wall (facing the rear of the cave).

Cross-section at 4m along mid-line (from rear of cave) (T1) 1m 2m 3m 4m 5m 6m Note that the mid-line intersected at a width position of 0.62 1.78 1.91 2.01 1.17 0.20 3.07m.

Cross-section at 9m along mid-line (from rear of cave) (T2) 0m 1m 2m 3m 4m 5m 6m 7m 8m 9m 10m 11m 12m 13m 0.20 0.20 0.15 0.98 1.21 1.30 1.43 1.35 2.50 3.13 3.10 3.41 3.19 2.77

14m 15m 16m Note that the mid-line intersected at a width position of 6.80m. 2.05 1.26 0.45

Cross-section at 14.3m along mid-line (from rear of cave) (T3) 1m 2m 3m 4m 5m 6m 7m 8m 9m 10m 11m 12m 13m 14m 0.61 0.62 ~3.50 4.78 4.60 5.50 5.45 5.38 ~5.30 5.25 5.00 ~6.00 5.80 5.45

15m 16m 17m 18m 19m 20m Note that the mid-line intersected at a width position of 5.03 4.94 4.90 4.53 2.20 0.74 ~7.5m.

Cross-section at 25m along mid-line (from rear of cave) (T4) [see note 1] 1m 2m 3m 4m 5m 7m 9m 11m 13m 15m 17m 19m 21m 23m 0.59 0.94 1.25 1.38 5.17 6.15 6.30 ~6.3 ~7.0 ~9.0 10.29 ~10.5 ~8.5 3.84 25m 27m 28m 29m 30m 31m 3.75 3.33 3.10 1.29 0.93 0.42 Note 1. For the mid-section of the ceiling at T4 (close to the entrance of the cave) – i.e. from 5m to 27m width – measurements were taken every other metre in order to save time.

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Fig. 22. Four cross-sections of Lord Holmes’ Cellar, taken at 4m, 9m, 14.3m & 25m along mid-line. See also Table 10.

4.1.7.2 Biological description Biological records were made at the four cross-sections within the cave – i.e. at 4m, 9m, 14.3m and 25.0m. The notes made from each of these cross-sections are presented in Table 11.

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A full list of floral species recorded from within the cave is given in Table 12.

Table 11. Notes made from Lord Holmes’ Cellar cave cross-sections, with biotopes represented. [All width measurements are taken from the right-hand wall of the cave, facing towards the back of the cave.]

Cross-section @ 4m from back of cave (T1). Biotopes represented Powdery green growth as very thin patches either side from 1.0m+ above scour zone. ? GCv

Height Cross-section @9m from back of cave (T2) Biotopes represented above floor 0 – 0.75m Scour zone / bare chalk BarCv ~1.0m Dense black algal growth on ceiling ? + some green Pseudendoclonium out to ~5m from wall GCv 1 - ~2m Powdery green growth (sampled) on face exposed to entrance + darker powdery green on shaded face, covering all of uneven ? ceiling at about 3.5m height max., possibly with cyanobacteria in amongst. 3.5 – 0.5m Powdery green + darker green growths GCv Brown chrysophyte ChrHap 0.5 – 0m Scour zone – white rock with some green algal patches BarCv

Height Cross-section @ 14.3m from back of cave (T3) Biotopes represented above floor 0 – 30cm Scour zone; BarCv roof at 40-50cm of various green/black growths + brown ChrHap gelatinous Chrysophyceae 1 - 2m Past lip: mostly Chrysophyceae, with lighter growth up to ChrHap ceiling at 4m.. 4 - 5m Black growth on ceiling ~10m from scour/wall ChrHap 5 - 7m (~10m-~20m width) bare white chalk with flints + black growth patches 6 - 4m Black / green growths Chr Hap 4 – 1.5m Gelatinous blackish Chrysophyceae with green ChrHap ?Pseudendoclonium GCv 1.5m – Brown Chrysophyceae + some Rhodochorton purpureum 20cm 20cm - 0 Green filamentous algae. FLR.Lic.Bli

Height Cross-section @ 25.0m from back of cave (T4) Biotopes represented above floor 0 – 30cm Scour zone BarCv 30cm - Sloping roof to ‘lip’, Rhodochorton-dominated brownish- AudPil ?2m coloured growth. Black gelatinous growth forming small patches on near-vertical wall just after ‘lip’, 3m from edge of cave. ?Phymatolithon pink crust + Hyella stain. ?2 – 3m Verrucaria with some Arthropyrenia forming a band 0.5 – 1m VmucHil wide from lip upwards on near-vertical wall + Chrysophyceae ChrHap

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3 – 7m Patches of black growth on white chalk bedrock to centre of ceiling, just before chalk rock & flints, to about 10m from west ChrHap (cyan) wall. 7 - 3m Extensive black/green gelatinous growth to 3m high, 4m from ChrHap (cyan) wall. 3 – 1m Brown gelatinous growth with ?Blidingia ? 1.5m & Red growth (?Gelidium) + green stain + Hildenbrandia on Includes VmucHil under flints 0.5 – 0.3m Brown stain. ? 0.3 – 0m Clean bare rock / scour zone BarCv

Height At cave entrance Biotopes represented above floor 0 – 1.5m Extending from entrance up to 10m into cave. Crustose Corallinaceae with Corallina officinalis, Actinia equina, dense ScrFa Patella sp. (1-9/10cm x 10cm), sparse barnacles (?Semibalanus balanoides) (1-9/3cm x 3cm) in clusters, pale orange sponge (O)

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae on Various coloured growths covering vertical upper littoral fringe soft rock much of the ceiling and upper walls. LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and mid- Mostly as Pseudendoclonium. shore cave walls and ceilings. LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil Audouinella purpurea and Cladophora Smallish patches of Rhodochorton on rupestris on upper to mid-shore cave shaded lower walls/overhangs. walls LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil Verrucaria mucosa and/or Typically as Hildenbrandia on exposed Hildenbrandia rubra on upper to mid flints. shore cave walls LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) On east side of cave entrance, with on sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper crustose Corallinaceae. littoral to lower shore caves LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral Narrow scour zone around base of walls cave walls and floors Lr.FLR.Lic.Bli ‘Blidingia spp. on vertical littoral fringe Restricted, small amount present just soft rock’ above scour zone.

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Table 12. Floral species recorded from various locations within Lord Holmes’ Cellar cave.

Lord Location: Holmes

Kitchen

west side west side west side T4 west side T4 west side T4 T4 west side T3 T2 T2 east side T2 east side T2 east side east side facing out; 2m

up

Position:

Species of flora 3m up, black crust gelatinous 2-3m up reds under lip brown under lip; –scour coloration area 2m up green 2m up; black 3m up dark green layer, shaded area away 1.5 – 2m from mouth, up light out, back, facing green powder, 2m up 2-3m up under lip 2m up, above lip zone black 2.5m up; Apistonema carterae 9 ? 9 Arthropyrenia halodites 9 9 9 Enteromorpha prolifera 9 Enteromorpha sp. 9 Entophysalis conferta 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 Eugomonyia sacculata 9 Gelidium pusillum 9 9 Hildenbrandia crouanii 9 Hyella caespitosa 9 9 Indet filamentous chlorophyceae 9 Indet red crust 9 Indet crustose Corallinaceae 9 Phymatolithon lenormandii 9 9 9 Pilinia rimosa (Waerneilla lucifuga) 9 9 9 9 9 Pseudendoclonium submarinum 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

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Lord Location: Holmes

Kitchen

west side west side west side T4 west side T4 west side T4 T4 west side T3 T2 T2 east side T2 east side T2 east side east side facing out; 2m

up

Position:

Species of flora 3m up, black crust gelatinous 2-3m up reds under lip brown under lip; –scour coloration area 2m up green 2m up; black 3m up dark green layer, shaded area away 1.5 – 2m from mouth, up light out, back, facing green powder, 2m up 2-3m up under lip 2m up, above lip zone black 2.5m up; Ralfsia verrucosa 9 Rhizoclonium tortuosum 9 9 Rhodochorton purpureum 9 9 9 Schizothrix sp. 9 Sphacelaria sp. 9 9 Thallochrysis littoralis 9

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4.1.8 Lord Holmes’ Scullery [Phase I survey]

This cave is the easternmost of five caves which all are found within 150m of each other, and are known collectively as Lord Holmes’ caves. This cave was surveyed at 18:30 hrs on 7th September 2005.

LORD HOLMES’ SCULLERY

Fig. 23. Lord Holmes’ Scullery location. Plate 11. Entrance to Lord Holmes’ Scullery. [Photo. ref. LHS_ent]

4.1.8.1 Physical description The entrance to Lord Holmes’ Scullery is ~8m wide with a maximum height of ~2.5m. As with the other Lord Holmes’ caves, it has a southerly aspect but the orientation of the cave entrance (and indeed the rest of the cave) is south-west. The cave is tunnel-like, with the floor of the rearmost third of the cave expanding to form a semicircular shape with a maximum width of 16.4m (about double that of the tunnel section). The length of the cave is 35.0m. The ceiling is arched with a maximum height of ~6m. At the time of the survey (over the time of low water, height 1.0m above chart datum) the water level covered the boulder and bedrock floor of the outer two thirds of the cave. The floor of the rearmost third of the cave was of clean small pebbles and gravel forming a gradually sloping beach.

4.1.8.2 Biological description 20-30cm at the base of the walls of the rearmost half of the cave was of bare chalk rock indicating a distinct scour zone (BarCv). Above this, covering the walls and ceiling of the rear ‘chamber’, was a thin brown film which was difficult to scratch off (uncertain biotope). On the walls of the tunnel above the scour zone, a 1 – 1.5m wide band dominated by spirorbids and encrusting bryozoans on the walls/ceiling was present (ScrFa). On the north-eastern side of the cave, the low arched ceiling above the ScrFa zone was dominated by crustose Corallinaceae and Hildenbrandia with other occasional red crusts (VmucHil?). On the south-western wall/ceiling there was a greater proportion of brown crusts with occasional patches of crustose Corallinaceae (up to 2m high). Closer towards the entrance on the north-eastern wall, it was obvious that a greater amount of direct light fell and the wall had a preponderance of Corallina officinalis on the lower 2m.

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Fig. 24. Lord Holmes’ Scullery floor plan.

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil Verrucaria mucosa and/or As Hildenbrandia on exposed flints, Hildenbrandia rubra on upper to mid with crustose Corallinaceae and other shore cave walls red crusts. LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) On walls in central section of cave on sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper above scour zone to 1.5m high. littoral to lower shore caves LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral Narrow scour zone around base of cave walls and floors walls

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4.1.9 Frenchman’s Hole [Phase I survey]

This cave lies approximately 200m east of Lord Holmes’ Scullery, the easternmost of the five Lord Holmes’ caves. This cave was surveyed at 19:00 hrs on 7th September 2005.

LORD HOMES’ SCULLERY

Fig. 25. Frenchman’s Hole location. Plate 12. Entrance to Frenchman’s Hole. [Photo. ref. FH_ent1]

4.1.9.1 Physical description Frenchman’s Hole is a classic marine tunnel-like cave. The entrance is ~5m wide with a maximum height of ~2m. The length of the cave is 29.2m and the ceiling height was in the region of 3m. The shore here has a southerly aspect and the orientation of the cave entrance (and the cave itself) is to the south too. At the time of the survey, which coincided with low water (height 1.0m above chart datum), most of the floor of the cave was covered by shallow water, with platforms of chalk bedrock appearing from the 15m mark to the back of the cave. There was no true pebble beach at the rear of the cave, though pebbles and gravel formed the floor of a shallow pool at the far end of the cave.

4.1.9.2 Biological description Most of the cave (i.e. both walls and ceiling) was dominated by crustose Corallinaceae with occasional patches of an unknown crustose red at the rear end. There was a narrow scour zone present around the rearmost half of the cave (BarCv), particularly adjacent to where pebbles and gravel had accumulated. A spirorbid/barnacle dominated zone (ScrFa) extended above the scour zone to 1.5m, from close to the entrance to almost the back of the cave. A crustose brown stain dominated the ceiling, but it was thought this could possibly be a mineral stain.

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Fig. 26. Frenchman’s Hole floor plan.

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) On walls along much of cave on sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper length, above scour zone to 1.5m littoral to lower shore caves high. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral Narrow scour zone around base of cave walls and floors walls Note that there are no descriptions of biotopes as yet which adequately describe the cover of crustose Corallinaceae or the brown stain on the ceiling (should this be biological in origin).

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4.1.10 Bar Cave [Phase I survey]

Bar Cave (so called, we believe, because of the large slab of chalk rock which forms a ‘bar’ wedged above the entrance) lies approximately 800m west of the centre of Freshwater Bay. This cave was surveyed on 6th September 2005 at 16:30 hrs.

LITTLE & LARGE CAVES

Fig. 27. Bar Cave location. Plate 13. Entrance to Bar Cave. [Photo. ref. BC_01]

4.1.10.1 Physical description The entrance to Bar Cave is ~2m wide and ~4m high (to the underside of the ‘bar’). The shore has a southerly aspect and the orientation of the cave entrance is facing south too. The plan of the floor of the cave is roughly circular, the maximum width being 12m and the length along the mid-line being 18m. The floor itself, which slopes upwards towards the back of the cave at an angle of ~30º, is of clean gravel with clean pebbles at the back. Most of the floor was out of the water at the time of the visit (2 hours before low water @ 1.0m above chart datum). The ceiling of the cave forms a near-vertical ‘wall’, some 2-3m thick across the cave, about halfway into the cave.

Fig. 28. Bar Cave floor plan.

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4.1.10.2 Biological description A narrow scour zone extended all around the base of the walls (BarCv). Above this was a green zone (GCv). In shaded positions and high up on the walls/ceiling were red algal crusts and Hildenbrandia sp. (VmucHil). At ~10m from the back of the cave the ceiling ‘wall’ had a covering of green algae (GCv); Pilinia and Rhodochorton (AudPil); ?Chrysophyceae (ChrHap); and crustose Corallinaceae. The outer zone of the cave (closer to the entrance) had barnacles (mostly Semibalanus balanoides), beadlet anemones Actinia equina, limpets (Patella vulgata) and pink coralline crusts, extending 8-10m into the cave (ScrFa).

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance: Code Title Notes

LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae on Present in patches on central section of vertical upper littoral fringe soft rock ceiling LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and mid- Covering much of the ceiling. shore cave walls and ceilings LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil Audouinella purpurea and Cladophora In patches on the ceiling. rupestris on upper to mid-shore cave walls LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil Verrucaria mucosa and/or In patches on the ceiling, particularly on Hildenbrandia rubra on upper to mid exposed flints. shore cave walls LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) On walls for the outer 8-10m to the on sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper entrance. littoral to lower shore caves LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral Around base of walls, particularly at the cave walls and floors back of the cave.

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4.1.11 Little Cave [Phase I survey]

Little Cave lies approximately 100m east of Bar Cave, and just 5m west of Large Cave. The names of these two caves derive from the relative size of their entrances (see photo below). This cave was surveyed at 06:50 hrs on 8th September 2005.

LITTLE CAVE

Fig. 29. Little Cave location. Plate 14. Entrance to Little Cave. [Photo ref. Li&La_ent]

4.1.11.1 Physical description Little Cave has an entrance width of 5.40m and a maximum height of ~3m. The shore here faces south and the orientation of the entrance is also to the south. The length of the cave was measured as being 21.50m, with a maximum width of 12.10m. The floor

Fig. 30 Little Cave floor plan.

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of the outer part of the cave consisted of a mix of flint pebbles, flint cobbles and chalk bedrock and boulders, while the inner part had rounded flint pebbles, clean gravel and a few flint cobbles. The rearmost 11m of the floor was out of the water at the time of the survey (20 mins. before low water @ 1.0m above chart datum). The maximum height of the ceiling was close to the entrance at ~4m, and there was a crack/fault present down the centre line of the ceiling.

4.1.11.2 Biological description A scour zone (0.5m high) (BarCv) extended around the base of the walls at the back of the cave to 4m down the length. At the back of the cave, the ceiling chalk bedrock had a Hyella tinge and a brown stain, together with patches of Corallinaceae and Hildenbrandia (VmucHil). For the outer part of the cave, the growths on the walls could be divided into three distinct zones: a scour zone low down (BarCv); a mid zone with barnacles (mostly Semibalanus balanoides), spirorbids and beadlet anemones Actinia equina (ScrFa); and an upper zone of Corallinaceae and red crusts (uncertain biotope). Closer to the entrance Actinia anemones predominate with only a few limpets Patella sp. present (ScrFa). At least four species of sponge were present (all in very small amounts) including Halichondria ?panicea and an orange encrusting species.

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil Verrucaria mucosa and/or As patches of Hildenbrandia. Hildenbrandia rubra on upper to mid shore cave walls LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) Present on walls in the mid and outer on sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper sections of the cave. littoral to lower shore caves LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral Present around base of walls to a height cave walls and floors of 0.5m.

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4.1.12 Large Cave [Phase I survey]

Large Cave lies approximately 100m east of Bar Cave, and just 5m east of Little Cave. The names of these two caves derive from the relative size of their entrances (see Plate 15). This cave was surveyed at 07:25 hrs on 8th September 2005.

LARGE CAVE

Fig. 31. Large Cave location. Plate 15. Entrance to Large Cave (on right). [Photo ref. Li&La_ent]

4.1.12.1 Physical description The entrance to Large Cave is ~6m high and 6.00m wide (at sea level). The shore has a southerly aspect, although the orientation of the entrance is to the south-west. The total length of the cave was 46.10m, making it the longest of all the caves surveyed. The ceiling was also noticeably taller than most of the other caves surveyed, with a maximum height of ~12m midway into the cave. There was a small hole to the outside, ~1m high and 0.5m wide, ~13m from the back of the cave, which allowed for the exchange of a small amount of sea water. The floor of most of the cave was of partially exposed chalk bedrock, the depth of water being up to 2m deep at the time of the survey (10 min.+ after low water, height 1.0m above chart datum). The water level at this time reached 11m from the rear of the cave. At the rear of the cave was a beach of flint pebbles which extended ~5m into the cave, with three large chalk boulders placed centrally at ~11m along the mid-line.

4.1.12.2 Biological description This cave was noticeably different from all of the others in that the animal-dominated zone extended well into the cave, far beyond the immediate vicinity around the entrance. A narrow scour zone (BarCv) was present at the rear of the cave above the pebble beach. Above this was a band of Hildenbrandia and crustose Corallinaceae (VmucHil) with a green tinge of Hyella (?GCv). The walls were dominated by crustose Corallinaceae with barnacles (mostly Semibalanus balanoides) and beadlet anemones Actinia equina (FaCr). The right-hand wall of the cave (viewed towards the rear) was more shaded than the left-hand wall and had an unidentified brown stain commonly present on it. Much of the ceiling was bare, though parts were dominated by crustose Corallinaceae. Further back towards the rear of the cave, the ceiling had on it an unidentified brown stain. Near the entrance on the left-hand wall, other darker gelatinous algae were present above the coralline crusts (ChrHap), where the wall became the ceiling. In this same area (on both walls), the faunal crusts extended ~2m

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above sea level and displayed a variety of sponges (> 5 spp.) including Grantia compressa, Halichondria sp. and an unknown encrusting orange sponge; and sparse barnacles and limpets. The number of Actinia equina was estimated as being 1-9/0.1 m2 on the right-hand wall and 1-9/m2 on the left-hand wall.

Fig. 32. Large Cave floor plan.

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae on Present at the top of the left-hand vertical upper littoral fringe soft rock wall/ceiling close to the entrance. LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and mid- Present as Hyella-tinged rock towards shore cave walls and ceilings the rear of the cave. LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil Verrucaria mucosa and/or Present towards the rear of the cave, Hildenbrandia rubra on upper to mid with GCv. Also on left-hand wall close shore cave walls to the entrance, with crustose reds. LR.FLR.CvOv.FaCr Faunal crusts on wave-surged littoral On both walls, extending from the cave walls entrance to near the rear of the cave. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral Present as narrow scour zone at the rear cave walls and floors of the cave above pebble beach.

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4.1.13 Neptune Cave West [Phase I survey]

As its name suggests, Neptune Cave West lies just to the west of the Neptune Cave System, but it is a separate cave from the inter-connecting caves which make up the ‘system’. It is approximately 750m west of the centre of Freshwater Bay. This cave was surveyed at 06:40 hrs on 6th September 2005.

NEPTUNE CAVE WEST

Fig. 33. Neptune Cave West location. Plate 16. Entrance to Neptune Cave West. [Photo ref. NCW_ent_02]

4.1.13.1 Physical description Neptune Cave West is a classic example of an ‘arched’ cave. The width of the entrance is 16.0m and the maximum height is 6.5m. The length along the midline is 25.0m. The aspect of the shore is southerly and the orientation of the cave entrance is also to the south (190º). The floor of the cave is of rounded flint pebbles sloping up

Fig. 34. Neptune Cave West floor plan.

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towards the back of the cave at ~20º. The slope increases at the back of the cave. At the time of the survey (20 mins.+ after low water, height 0.8m above chart datum), the entire floor of the cave was out of the water. The plan of the floor is roughly semicircular, though from ~7m to the back of the cave there is an ‘inner sanctum’ where the width narrows and the ceiling height is lower (Fig. 34).

4.1.13.2 Biological description In general, the biological communities associated with this cave were limited in their diversity. There was a distinct scour zone above the pebble floor at the back of the cave (BarCv) with a few small isopods (sea slater – type). Some rotting seaweed had accumulated as a strandline at the back of the cave and a small number of flies were associated with this. Above the scour zone there was a band of green algal film (GCv), which extended to the ceiling. A small band of Rhodochorton purpureum was present in places, though in insufficient amounts to constitute a true biotope, as was the case with small scattered patches of Chrysophyceae. In places, there was an unidentified grey film too.

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and mid- Present as Hyella-tinged rock on upper shore cave walls and ceilings walls and ceiling. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral Present as narrow scour zone all round cave walls and floors the base of the walls.

The following invertebrates were recorded from near entrance of cave: Patella vulgata (1-9/30cm2); Actinia equina (1-9/1m2); Botryllus schlosseri (10cm x 5cm patch); Chthamalus ?montagui (1-9/3cm2). In addition, the following floral species were recorded from the wall, 1.5 – 2.0m above the floor of the cave, close to the entrance.

Location: Entrance area, 22m Species of flora from back, 1.5-2m up Blidingia sp. 9 Enteromorpha sp. 9 Entophysalis conferta 9 Phymatolithon lenormandii 9 Rhodochorton purpureum 9

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4.1.14 Neptune Cave System [Phase I survey]

The Neptune Cave System lies beneath the headland at the western edge of Watcombe Bay, approximately 250m west of Fort Redoubt which stands at the western edge of Freshwater Bay. This cave system was surveyed at 08:20 hrs on 8th September 2005.

NEPTUNE CAVE SYSTEM

Fig. 35. Neptune Cave System location. Plate 17. The three south-facing entrances (A,B & C) to the Neptune Cave System. [Photo. ref. NCS_14]

4.1.14.1 Physical description Neptune Cave System is a complex of chambers and tunnels with six entrances. There are three main south-facing entrances (A, B & C) to the System (as can be seen in the above photograph); two further ones which are smaller and which face east (D & E); and one other east-facing entrance (F) opening at mid-tide level onto the beach of Watcombe Bay (see Fig. 22). The dimensions of these entrances are given in Table 13 below. Our access to the system was via entrance F (having beached the inflatable boat on Watcombe Bay beach).

Table 13. Dimensions of the entrances to Neptune Cave System.

Entrance: A B C D E F Width (at sea level) 6.10m 10.00m 9.00m 1.70m 0.5m ~ 3m Max. Height ~7m ~5m ~6m ~8m ? ~5m Orientation S S S E E E

The System consists of one large chamber with a number of tunnels coming off it. The walls and ceilings are covered by crustose Corallinaceae which gives a pink appearance to the whole cave system. The floor consists of bedrock covered with crustose Corallinaceae, with a jumble of boulders rising 1m above the floor level of the rest of the cave in the western half of the system (opposite entrances A & B). Two dead-end tunnels had a floor of flint pebbles and cobbles within them. The maximum length of the system is 41.80m (from entrance B to a dead-end tunnel beside entrance F), and the maximum width of the main chamber is ~43m. The maximum height of the eastern tunnel was ~2.5m and that of the main chamber was ~8m.

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Fig. 36. Neptune Cave System floor plan.

4.1.14.2 Biological description In general, much of the cave complex was tinged green by the cyanobacterium Hyella caespitosa, as well as a distinct pink/purple crustose Corallinaceae zone all around the walls, approximately 2m above floor level. A blackish-green growth was noted high up +/- 8m at the highest point of the ceiling of the main chamber.

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The following notes were made by IT of the conspicuous communities present within the cave system.

Notes Biotope represented Entrance (F) • Entrance tinged bright green (?Pseudendoclonium) + Verrucaria spp. GCv + VmucHil patches + Arthropyrenia halodites • Brown stain noted further in ? East tunnel (1) • Lots of brown stain on walls and ceiling ? Main chamber (2) • Crustose Corallinaceae and Hyella (green tinge) on vertical walls. ?GCv • Ceiling with Hildenbrandia, crustose Corallinaceae, Hyella and Verrucaria. VmucHil • Much crustose Corallinaceae and Hyella generally with limpets (Patella sp.) ?FaCr Entrance B • Barnacle zone on wall ?ScrFa • Hyella and Verrucaria common on walls and ceiling VmucHil • CvOv biotope better developed near entrance, comprising crustose Corallinaceae, barnacles, sponges, bryozoans etc. FaCr • Corallina officinalis on wall at entrance HLR.FR.Coff • Middle boulders wave-washed smooth with Hyella, crustose Corallinaceae ScrFa & Patella sp. • Rhodochorton purpureum, ?Pilinia rimosa (Waerniella lucifuga) on ceiling AudPil in middle of cave Entrance A • Opposite entrance – low tunnel (~2m high) decreasing in height to cobble BarCv beach and scoured area • West wall with much crustose Corallinaceae, Hyella, Hildenbrandia on flints and a crustose red (?) VmucHil • Barnacle / limpet / crustose Corallinaceae zone near entrance ScrFa • Green growths on wall and ceiling with patches of dark/black gelatinous growth more abundant at higher, more shaded, levels GCv + ChrHap • Rhodochorton purpureum well developed on upper surface of ‘bar’ AudPil • Crustose Corallinaceae noted high up/almost into spray zone ?

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae on Blackish green gelatinous growths on vertical upper littoral fringe soft rock shaded parts of upper walls and ceilings. LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and mid- On walls (above crustose Corallinaceae shore cave walls and ceilings zone) and ceiling. LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil Audouinella purpurea and Cladophora Present on ceiling and on top of bedrock rupestris on upper to mid-shore cave ‘bar’ above tunnel entrance, opposite walls Entrance A. LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil Verrucaria mucosa and/or Common on ceilings, particularly in the Hildenbrandia rubra on upper to mid vicinity of entrances. shore cave walls LR.FLR.CvOv.FaCr Wave-surged, littoral cave walls with Present on vertical walls close to faunal crust Entrance B. LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) On boulders in central chamber and

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Code Title Notes on sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper from 2-3m on walls, with Patella sp. littoral to lower shore caves conspicuous. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral Low on walls within tunnels, scoured by cave walls and floors rounded flint pebbles. HLR.FR.Coff Corallina officinalis on exposed to Sufficient light and wave surge enters moderately exposed lower eulittoral the cave system to allow lush growths of rock Corallina officinalis close to the entrances.

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4.1.15 Left Nostril Cave [Phase II survey]

Left Nostril Cave lies just to the south of a rock promontory known as ‘The White Horse’ at the south-eastern edge of Culver Down. A physical feature is marked on the 1:10,000 Ordnance Survey map at this point as simply ‘The Nostrils’, and it is assumed that this refers to the two caves which lie some 15m apart from each other here. We called the cave to the south ‘Left Nostril Cave’ and the other one ‘Right Nostril Cave’. Left Nostril Cave was surveyed at 17:45 hrs on 8th September 2005.

LEFT NOSTRIL CAVE

Fig. 37. Left Nostril Cave location. Plate 18. Entrance to Left Nostril Cave. [Photo. ref. LNC_01]

4.1.15.1 Physical description Left Nostril Cave has an arched entrance, although the chalk strata lie in such a way as to make the entrance more triangular than semicircular in shape. The shore has an east-south-easterly aspect and the cave entrance faces the same direction. The width of the entrance was measured as 12.00m and the maximum height was ~8m. The length of the cave was 18.50m. The shore height of the floor of the cave entrance was at mid eulittoral level. The shore approaching the entrance was of small and medium sized chalk boulders with a covering of Enteromorpha sp. (= Ulva sp.), but beyond the entrance to the cave itself these gave way to flint gravel mixed with some sand. The floor gradually sloped upwards at an angle of ~10º towards the back of the cave where a flint pebble ridge (becoming a horizontal platform) was present 6m from the back.

4.1.15.2 Biological description Three cross-sectional descriptions were made of the communities present on the walls/ceiling of the cave at 6m, 10m and 18m along the mid-line. These are presented in Fig. 24 below. Upon entering the cave, the first 2m showed a definite marine influence, with beadlet anemones Actinia equina and limpets Patella sp. present on the lower section of the Hyella-stained vertical wall (ScrFa). A scour zone (BarCv) was present throughout the cave to a height of 30-50cm above the gravel/pebble floor. Thereafter, the floral communities occurred in distinct zones (apparent largely by their colour and texture), the positioning of which depended largely upon the amount of incident light falling upon them and the hardness of the underlying chalk. Typically,

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Fig. 38. Left Nostril Cave floor plan.

Rhodochorton (AudPil) occurred fairly low down on the walls with a band of Verrucaria (VmucHil) alongside, and Hyella (?GCv) present closer to the entrance. Above 2-3m, Pseudendoclonium (GCv) dominated the upper walls, with a small patch of Rhodochorton (AudPil) at the apex of the ceiling at 6m along the mid-line. Patches of Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae (ChrHap) were also present.

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Fig. 39. Sketches of cross-sections at three positions within Left Nostril Cave, indicating the distribution of the main community types.

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The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae on As occasional patches on ceiling and vertical upper littoral fringe soft rock upper walls. LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and mid- As Pseudodendoclonium on upper walls shore cave walls and ceilings and ceiling. LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil Audouinella purpurea and Cladophora On lower walls of inner and mid rupestris on upper to mid-shore cave sections, sometimes mixed with walls VmucHil. LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil Verrucaria mucosa and/or On lower and upper walls of inner and Hildenbrandia rubra on upper to mid mid sections, sometimes mixed with shore cave walls AudPil. LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) On lower part of walls near the entrance on sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper above the scour zone. littoral to lower shore caves LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral As scour zone present at base of walls cave walls and floors throughout cave.

The following species of flora (algae, lichens and cyanobacteria) were recorded by IT from this cave, after analysis of a number of rock samples in the laboratory (see also Appendix I):

Location: black gelatinous crust Species of flora Apistonema carterae 9 Entocladia viridis 9 Entophysalis conferta 9 Hyella caespitosa 9 Indet filamentous chlorophyceae 9 Pilinia rimosa (Waerneilla lucifuga) 9 Pseudendoclonium submarinum 9 Schizothrix sp. 9 Verrucaria sp. 9

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4.1.16 Right Nostril Cave [Phase I survey]

Right Nostril Cave lies some 15m to the north-east of Left Nostril Cave. Both caves lie just to the south of a rock promontory known as ‘The White Horse’ at the south- eastern edge of Culver Down. Right Nostril Cave was surveyed at 18:40 hrs on 8th September 2005.

RIGHT NOSTRIL CAVE

Fig. 40. Right Nostril Cave location. Plate 18. Entrance to Right Nostril Cave. [Photo ref. RNC_02]

4.1.16.1 Physical description Despite Right Nostril Cave’s close proximity to Left Nostril Cave, the two are quite different, both in terms of their physical attributes and the associated biological communities present. The shore has the same aspect and orientation of its entrance (ESE). However, Right Nostril Cave is a ‘classic’ tunnel cave with a length of 38.50m. The entrance is the shape of a skewed triangle (as can be seen in the photograph above), 6.50m wide at its widest (ground level) and with a maximum height of ~9m. The position of the floor of the entrance is also higher up the shore than the neighbouring Left Nostril Cave, being in the upper eulittoral. Within the cave itself, the floor was of chalk bedrock worn into a series of parallel ridges and grooves running almost the whole length of the cave. Many of the grooves were filled with water, forming long, narrow rockpools. Towards the rear of this area, small patches of sand had accumulated. The rearmost 10m had a slope of rounded flint pebbles and a small amount of sand. A large chalk boulder was positioned on the mid-line at this 10m point.

4.1.16.2 Biological description From the entrance to ~8m into the cave (i.e. at a distance of 30m on the mid-line), a distinct marine influence was apparent, with limpets Patella sp., barnacles (mostly Semibalanus balanoides), beadlet anemones Actinia equina, Corallina officinalis, Phymatolithon and Hyella on the lower walls (ScrFa). Further into the cave, Phymatolithon dominated the walls to a height of 10m from the floor. Above this, Pseudendoclonium dominated (GCv) with Hildenbrandia growing on the large number of flints exposed in the walls (VmucHil). Hyella was also present within the GCv biotope. The long, channelled, shallow rockpools, present from the entrance to halfway into the cave, had typical mid-shore coralline rockpool biota associated with them including Phyllophora crispa, Phyllophora pseudoceranoides, Corallina

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Fig. 41. Right Nostril Cave floor plan.

officinalis, Cladophora rupestris, Himanthalia elongata (rare) and Laminaria sporelings (LR.FLR.Rkp.Cor). Some of the sand patches on the floor towards the rear of the cave had small lugworm Arenicola marina casts visible. On the lower part of the walls at the rear of the cave, above the pebble beach, a narrow, bare, scour zone was present (BarCv).

The following biotopes were recorded from within the cave and at its entrance:

Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Green algal films on upper and mid- Primarily featuring Pseudendoclonium shore cave walls and ceilings with some Hyella on upper walls. LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil Verrucaria mucosa and/or Confined largely to Hildenbrandia Hildenbrandia rubra on upper to mid growing on exposed flints in walls. shore cave walls LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa Sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids) No spirorbids but barnacles, limpets and on sand/pebble-scoured rock in upper beadlet anemones present on lower littoral to lower shore caves walls along front half of cave. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral Present as narrow band above pebbles at cave walls and floors rear of cave. LR.FLR.Rkp.Cor Coralline crust-dominated shallow Many long, narrow pools present from eulittoral rockpools entrance to 12m from back.

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The following species of flora (algae, lichens and cyanobacteria) were recorded by IT from this cave, after analysis of a number of rock samples in the laboratory (see also Appendix I):

Location: Species of flora Hyella caespitosa 9 Indet. light brown crust 9 Phymatolithon lenormandii 9

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4.1.17 Culver Cut [Phase I survey]

As indicated in section 3.1, Culver Cut (an invented name) is not a true cave (it is not enclosed by a roof or overhang), but the communities present were typical of an ‘open’ cave situation. Culver Cut is situated at the southern end of Whitecliff Bay, on the north side of the massive chalk headland of Culver Down. We happened to survey the Cut whilst waiting for the tide to fall sufficiently to allow us to clamber around the headland to survey the two Nostrils caves.

CULVER CUT

Fig. 42. Culver Cut location. Plate 19. Culver Cut. [Photo. Ref. CC_02]

4.1.17.1 Physical description Culver Cut consists of a large, open, inclined crack in the chalk bedrock. The base of the crack is 1.5m wide and has an accumulation of rounded flint cobbles and pebbles overlying smooth chalk bedrock. The height of the crack is 3.60m; its length is 6.50m.

Fig. 43. Sketch of Culver Cut.

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4.1.17.2 Biological description A scour zone is present around the base of the walls of the Cut to a height of ~0.5m (BarCv). Above this, the walls are mostly covered with the green alga Blidingia (LR.FLR.Lic.Bli), especially on the north side which has a greater amount of direct sunlight. A spray zone at the back of the Cut has a 1.5m band of orange/black Chysophyceae (ChrHap), with small amounts of Chrysotila on the north side in the spray zone. The following invertebrates were recorded from just above the scour zone (at about Mean High Water Neaps level): Anurida maritima (1 seen); Littorina saxatilis agg. 4/m2; Patella vulgata 6/m2; Semibalanus balanoides (rare); + a silverfish (rare) in the supralittoral.

The following biotopes were recorded from the cave: Code Title Notes LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae on Present as orange/black growths vertical upper littoral fringe soft rock within spray zone at back of Cut. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Barren and/or boulder-scoured littoral Present as 0.5m high band around cave walls and floors base of walls.. LR.FLR.Lic.Bli Blidingia spp. on vertical littoral fringe Present on north wall where greater soft rock amount of sunlight falls.

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4.1.18 Other caves (not surveyed)

A number of caves on the western and eastern fringes of Freshwater Bay were not surveyed due to lack of time. However, photographs were taken of their entrances resulting in each being identified by a name. These photographs are set out on the following page (in order from west to east). Fig. 27 below gives the locations of these caves.

The caves all appeared to differ from each other in some way. Fort Redoubt Slot is hardly a cave at all but more of a gap between two slabs of bedrock. The entrance appears narrow, tall and sloping. All three of the remaining Fort Redoubt Caves (West, Middle and East) appear to be ‘open’ caves similar to Lord Holmes’ Privy, only penetrating into the cliff a few metres. Freshwater Cave West has a smaller entrance than the neighbouring Freshwater Cave East, with this latter cave appearing to penetrate into the cliff some way.

The remaining caves all lie on the east side of Freshwater Bay. The two Mermette caves have very small entrances close to low water mark, and surveying them may prove difficult. By contrast, the three Mermaid’s caves (West, Middle and East) have much larger entrances and look worthy of further exploration.

Freshwater Caves Mermette Caves Fort Redoubt Caves West & East West & East Fort Redoubt West, Middle & East Slot Mermaid’s Caves West, Middle & East

Fig. 44. Map showing the locations of the various caves in the immediate vicinity of Freshwater Bay. None of these caves were surveyed during the current survey.

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Plate 20. Fort Redoubt Slot (L) and FR Cave West (R). Plate 21. Fort Redoubt Cave West (L) and Middle (R).

Plate 22. Fort Redoubt Cave East. Plate 23. Freshwater Cave West (L) and East (R).

Plate 24. Mermette West, Mermette East and Mermaid’s Plate 25. Mermaid’s Cave Middle. Cave West.

Plate 26. Mermaid’s Cave East. Plate 27. Supralittoral caves, Compton Bay.

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5 Discussion

5.1 The Isle of Wight’s sea caves in context

Less than 0.6% of the British coastline (the equivalent of 113 km) is formed of chalk (Fowler & Tittley 1993). Significant lengths of chalk are exposed along the coasts of Kent (38 km) and East Sussex (29 km), with additional outcrops in North Humberside (17.5 km), Dorset (12 km), Norfolk (3.5 km) and Devon (3.0 km). In a European context, the greatest proportion of coastal chalk and many of the best examples of littoral habitats are located on the English coast (Tittley et al. 1998). Chalk caves are even more limited in their distribution, being largely confined to Thanet (Kent), Flamborough Head (North Humberside), the Isle of Wight and Beer Head (Devon).

The chalk cliffs of the Isle of Wight measure approximately 10 km in length, and differ from those present in Kent and Sussex in that none of the Isle of Wight chalk cliffs are protected by coastal works (which can influence the types of marine communities growing there). Consequently, continual erosion of the chalk takes place here, albeit at a relatively slow pace on account of the hardness of the chalk.

Chalk caves offer a dark and damp environment to would-be colonisers, which remains relatively stable and undisturbed. They tend to be dominated by encrusting species of algae, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), fungi and lichens, all of which have become highly specialised to this type of environment. Many of these species also occur on shaded chalk cliffs which are influenced by salt spray, though others are only found within caves.

The coastal chalk of the Isle of Wight is particularly hard, a result of geological forces folding and thrusting the chalk strata into a near-vertical alignment. The hardness also reflects a relatively high proportion of impurities in the chalk.

5.2 Cave names

As explained in section 3.3.7, a number of caves already had names associated with them, as indicated on the 1:10,000 Ordnance Survey map. Those that appeared to lack names were given ones by the survey team that were considered appropriate. However, there may have been an error in the identification of the five caves known as Lord Holmes’ caves. The map names three of these (LH’s Kitchen, LH’s Parlour and LH’s Cellar in order from west to east) and the new names for the other two caves are LH’s Scullery and LH’s Privy. It was assumed that the three caves with the most conspicuous entrances would have been those named on the map. However, once the GPS positions for the entrances of these caves were plotted on a GIS map later, the allocation of names for each cave did not match the locations shown on the map. Thus the names given to these caves during the present field survey (in order from west to east) are given below, with the names given on the 1:10,000 OS map (see Fig. 45 below). This point was raised with a member of the local Freshwater Bay lifeboat

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crew (who in the past have had to extract drowned bodies from some of the caves), but he was unable to shed any further light on the situation.

SCULLERY

KITCHEN PARLOUR CELLAR PRIVY

Fig. 45. The location of the (five) Lord Holmes’ Caves from GPS readings (large dots), with the positions of the Kitchen, Parlour and Cellar as they appear on the OS 1:10,000 scale map (small dots).

5.3 Cave ‘types’

The 17 caves explored during the current survey (13 to Phase I level and 4 to Phase II level) can be grouped into four main ‘types’ which reflect a similarity in the physical nature of the caves and, as a consequence, the biotopes present within them (Table 14). These similarities are the result of various environmental factors which can affect the caves (see Table 15). What was of particular interest was that no two caves were the same.

Table 14. The four main types of cave encountered during the current survey.

ARCHED TUNNEL-LIKE OPEN COMPLEX White Cliffs Cave East Needles Cave Lord Holmes’ Privy Neptune Cave System White Cliffs Cave West Lord Holmes’ Kitchen Culver Cut Lord Holmes’ Cellar Lord Holmes’ Parlour Bar Cave Lord Holmes’ Scullery Neptune Cave West Frenchman’s Hole Left Nostril Cave Little Cave Large Cave Right Nostril Cave

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Table 15. Environmental factors which are likely to have an influence on the range and extent of communities present within the Isle of Wight’s sea caves.

Environmental factors Comment Hardness of chalk / orientation The Upper Chalk on the Isle of Wight is considerably harder than of rock strata that of Thanet, being similar in hardness to that present at Flamborough Head (Fowler & Tittley 1993). Differences in communities in relation to chalk hardness were clearly seen at the two Nostrils caves at Culver Cliff. Here the distinct zones of Verrucaria and Chrysophyceae could clearly be related to the soft upper and harder middle/lower chalks. Since these are vertically- bedded, the different communities occurred adjacent to one another. Height on shore Communities in caves whose entrances are in the littoral fringe or splash zone (i.e. at the top of the shore) will experience less marine influence than those whose entrances occur in a lower zone down the shore. Aspect / Orientation Important for the amount of sunlight entering the cave and the proportion falling as direct sunlight on communities near the entrance. Also important in determining the exposure of communities to wave-wash (see below). The only cave displaying a distinct ‘dog-leg’ at its entrance was Lord Holmes’ Scullery, where the aspect of the entrance is southerly but the orientation of the cave is south-westerly. A section of wall opposite the entrance had a very lush growth of Corallina officinalis on it, indicating a high level of wave-wash affecting it (see photo ref. LHS_03). Shading Linked to aspect/orientation of the entrance as well as the dimensions of the entrance. The communities present on opposing walls close to the entrance of Exposure / wave-wash Linked to height on shore of entrance as well as aspect/orientation of entrance, with prevailing wind direction (and hence incident waves) being from the south-west. Scour Most obvious at the rear of caves where walls are adjacent to the pebble/gravel material forming the cave floor. Presence and height of the scour zone above the cave floor gives an indication of the amount of wave surge affecting the cave communities during storm events. Humidity / freshwater seepage Only obvious in Needles Cave (as drips from the ceiling towards the rear of the cave), though may have been present (but unrecorded) in others. The presence of freshwater on the surfaces of ceilings/walls may restrict which floral growths (algae, cyanobacteria, fungi etc.) can grow there. Cave type: ‘open’ vs. ‘arched’ There would appear to be an apparent progression over time vs. ‘tunnel-like’ vs. ‘complex’. linked to an erosion sequence, the orientation of the chalk strata and the hardness of the chalk in question. Thus a cave may start as a simple ‘open’ cave with a wide entrance yet with very little depth to it (such as Lord Holmes’ Privy); then gradually become deeper over time as further erosion takes place, giving rise to an ‘arched’ ceiling (such as White Cliffs Cave East or Left Nostril Cave); or, particularly if the cave has a small, low entrance, then a tunnel-like cave may develop as a result of erosion (such as with Needles Cave or Frenchman’s Hole). The one ‘complex’ cave encountered (Neptune Cave System) had numerous entrances and appeared to show a mix of both arched and tunnel-like characteristics.

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Table 16. Surveyed caves grouped by ‘type’, with accompanying notes and biotopes present within each cave. entrance

Cave ‘type’ Orientation of Floor type Comments Biotopes represented Aspect of shore Arched LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap White Cliffs Cave East N N/NW pebbles (shingle) North-facing caves with large entrances, softer chalk, LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv cleared by sea at low water, more comparable with cave LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa White Cliffs Cave West N N/NW pebbles (shingle) alga communities in Kent and Dorset. Chrysophyceae LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv more noticeably present. LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv Large entrance, south-facing aspect, pebble beach. More LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil Lord Holmes’ Cellar S S pebbles/gravel LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil Chrysophyceae dominant than Corallinaceae. LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Lr.FLR.Lic.Bli LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv gravel with pebble Smallish entrance, south-facing, pebble/gravel beach. Walls LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil Bar Cave S S beach at back ceiling with crustose Corallinaceae & green algal film. LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Neptune Cave West S S pebbles Large entrance, south-facing. Limited range of communities. LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Left Nostril Cave ESE ESE pebbles East-facing cave in softer chalk, outer parts open, inner parts LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap shaded, dry at low water, with communities more like those of LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil the White Cliffs Caves above. LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv

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entrance

Cave ‘type’ Orientation of Floor type Comments Biotopes represented Aspect of shore Tunnel-like Needles Cave W W boulders/bedrock West-facing cave, small entrance, long and tunnel-like. In LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv harder chalk, very shaded, washed by sea at low water, with LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil LR.FLR.CvOv.AudCla communities different from those above. Crustose Corallinaceae LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil and reds predominant. Freshwater seepage. LR.FLR.CvOv.FaCr LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Lord Holmes’ Kitchen S S pebbles (shingle) LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil South-facing caves, often long and tunnel-like, in harder LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa chalk, often very shaded, washed by sea at low water with LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Lord Holmes’ Parlour S S pebbles/boulders communities more like those in Needles Cave. Note that LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap LH’s Parlour could be described as being part arched and LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv part tunnel-like. LR.FLR.CvOv.AudCla LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Lord Holmes’ Scullery S SW boulders/bedrock with Interior angled to entrance. Much of cave washed by sea at low LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil pebble beach at back water. Part arched & part tunnel-like. Limited communities. LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Frenchman’s Hole S S boulders/bedrock with Classic tunnel-like cave. Much of walls & ceiling dominated by LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa pebble beach at back Corallinaceae. Limited range of communities. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv Little Cave S S bedrock, boulders & South-facing. Dominated by Corallinaceae. Limited range of LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil cobbles with pebbles & communities. LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv gravel at back Large Cave S SW bedrock with pebbles Longest cave surveyed at 46m & probably the highest ceiling LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap and cobbles at back (~12m). Animal-dominated zone extends well into cave beyond LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil entrance. Much of ceiling bare, but Corallinaceae also present. LR.FLR.CvOv.FaCr LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv

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entrance

Cave ‘type’ Orientation of Floor type Comments Biotopes represented Aspect of shore Right Nostril Cave ESE ESE bedrock with pebbles at East-facing cave, long and tunnel like, in softer chalk, outer LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv back parts open, inner parts shaded, dry at low water, with LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa communities more like those of the White Cliffs Caves above. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv LR.FLR.Rkp.Cor Open Lord Holmes’ Privy S S pebbles (shingle) Very open ‘cave’ – more an exaggerated overhang with shaded LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap cliff behind/underneath. Dominated by Chrysophyceae. LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv HLR.FLR.LicBli Culver Cut ESE ESE bedrock Not really a true cave – more a shaded shaft in the cliff. LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap Dominated by Chrysophyceae. LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv HLR.FLR.LicBli Complex Neptune Cave System S S Bedrock & boulders South-facing cave complex, in harder chalk, in places very LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap with some pebbles at shaded, washed by sea at low water with communities more like LR.FLR.CvOv.GCv ends of tunnels. those in Needles Cave. LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil LR.FLR.CvOv.VmucHil LR.FLR.CvOv.FaCr LR.FLR.CvOv.ScrFa LR.FLR.CvOv.BarCv HLR.FR.Coff

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5.4 Cave biotopes

The principal biotopes (following Connor et al. 2004) that were recorded from the 17 caves surveyed are listed in Table 17 below and are also given in Table 16 above.

Table 17. Principal biotopes recorded from all caves surveyed.

Biotope Code Biotope name Present in which caves LR.CvOv.ChrHap ‘Chrysophyceae and Haptophyceae on 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17 vertical upper littoral fringe soft rock’ LR.CvOv.GCv ‘Green algal films on upper and mid- 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 shore cave walls and ceilings’ LR.CvOv.AudPil ‘Audouinella purpurea and Pilinia 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 15 rimosa crusts on upper and mid-shore cave walls and ceilings’ LR.CvOv.AudCla ‘Audouinella purpurea and Cladophora 3, 6 rupestris on upper to mid shore cave walls’ LR.CvOv.VmucHil ‘Verrucaria mucosa and /or 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 Hildenbrandia rubra on upper to mid shore cave walls’ LR.CvOv.FaCr ‘Wave-surged, littoral cave walls with 3, 14 faunal crust’ LR.CvOv.ScrFa ‘Sand/pebble scoured rock in upper to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16 lower shore caves with sparse fauna (barnacles and spirorbids)’ LR.CvOv.BarCv ‘Barren boulder scoured littoral cave 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, walls and floors’ 15, 16 LR.CvOv.Cor 1 ‘Pink & red crustose Corallinaceae on 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 littoral cave walls and ceilings’ LR.CvOv.CyaB 1 ‘Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) on ?1, 3, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 littoral cave walls’ LR.CvOv.Br 1 ‘Brown algal crusts on upper and mid- 3, 8, ?12, ?14 shore cave walls and ceilings’

Other biotopes recorded (but not classified as cave biotopes) LR.FLR.Lic.Bli ‘Blidingia spp. on vertical littoral fringe 4, 7, 17 soft rock’ LR.FLR.Rkp.Cor ‘Coralline crust-dominated shallow 16 eulittoral rockpools’ HLR.FR.Coff Corallina officinalis on exposed to 14 moderately exposed lower eulittoral rock

KEY TO CAVE IDENTIFICATIONS IN TABLE ABOVE 1 White Cliffs Cave East 7 Lord Holmes' Cellar 13 Neptune Cave West 2 White Cliffs Cave West 8 Lord Holmes' Scullery 14 Neptune Cave System 3 Needles Cave 9 Frenchman's Hole 15 Left Nostril Cave, Culver Cliff 4 Lord Holmes' Privy 10 Bar Cave 16 Right Nostril Cave, Culver Cliff 5 Lord Holmes' Kitchen 11 Little Cave 17 Culver Cut 6 Lord Holmes' Parlour 12 Large Cave Footnote: 1 These three biotopes have yet to be recognised by JNCC. See text for further comments.

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In their report describing the intertidal reef and sea cave features of the Thanet Coast SAC, Tittley et al. (2002) suggested an enlargement to the (then) existing JNCC classification for littoral cave biotopes. The vast majority of their suggestions were accepted by JNCC and are now incorporated into the present classification (Connor et al., 2004). However, the present JNCC cave biotope classification (Connor et al., 2004), while improved, is still not complete and does not cover the full range of communities present within all caves [pers. comm., Ian Tittley]. This is certainly true for some of the caves surveyed during the present survey. For instance, we encountered extensive areas of crustose Corallinaceae which are not adequately described with a cave biotope as yet, nor is the presence of the chalk-boring cyanobacterium Hyella caespitosa.

It is suggested that these points are raised directly with JNCC in order, possibly, to amend the current cave biotope classification still further.

5.5 Cave communities and species

There is a ‘good’ range of floral species present within the caves surveyed. Of particular excitement however, was the re-discovery of an undescribed species of encrusting red alga, which had first been found by Ian Tittley in 1986 within Needles Cave. This species has the provisional genus name of Kylesalia. During the current survey, not only was this species re-recorded from Needles Cave, it was also found in several of the other caves surveyed. After initial examination of rock samples taken from cave walls and ceilings, Ian Tittley also believes he has found yet another undescribed species of encrusting red alga, though this will take some time to confirm.

The variety and abundance of faunal species associated with the caves was low on both counts. This is probably the result of a number of factors, perhaps the main one being the limited amount of marine influence which can affect a cave (linked with height on the shore, wave exposure, spray, freshwater seepage etc.). The dominant species were the limpet Patella sp. (the majority likely to have been P. vulgata) and the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides1 (this latter species being fairly sparse in most situations), though some caves had surprising high numbers of the beadlet anemone Actinia equina on vertical walls close to the entrances. The encrusting faunal communities present on walls close to cave entrances (particularly those which still had sea water in them at low water) were certainly under-recorded, as it proved very difficult to obtain samples from them. Typically, they consisted of encrusting sponges, silt-covered serpulid worms, encrusting bryozoans, and often thin coverings of colonial ascidians overgrowing other organisms.

It is perhaps worth mentioning what faunal species one might have expected to find in the caves. There were no mussels Mytilus edulis, which one might have expected to find on the walls close to the entrances to certain caves. There were also no signs of piddock holes, particularly those of the common piddock Pholas dactylus, presumably because of the hardness of the chalk, and possibly because of the height on the shore of the cave walls. Pholas dactylus, however, has been recorded in chalk rubble in the sublittoral off Freshwater and in clay off Tennyson Down (Wood 1992). Also, the keel worm Pomatoceros sp. was not recorded from within the caves.

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1 Note that Herbert (2002) recorded both Chthamalus montagui and C. stellatus from the shores of Freshwater Bay, so these two barnacle species may also have been present on some of the caves.

5.6 Site condition / possible threats

None of the caves surveyed were found to be suffering from any obvious anthropogenic damage. There were almost no items of litter found within any of the caves surveyed. In fact, all of the caves could be said to be in excellent condition, with a good range of algal species and communities present. The fact that only two of the caves (White Cliffs Caves East & West) lie on the northern side of the Isle of Wight mean that the remainder are located away from the most likely sources of pollution within the Solent. The remoteness of the caves, and the fact that most are only accessible by boat, will also help to maintain their natural condition.

In addition, the caves are not threatened by coastal development/protection, as in East Sussex and at Thanet in Kent.

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6. Conclusions

The following brief conclusions can be drawn from the present study:

• All caves are in excellent condition, with a good range of algal species and communities present.

• There is also a good range of cave ‘types’ present within a relatively small area.

• The caves are not threatened by coastal development/protection (as in south- east England).

• Access to the caves requires extremely calm sea conditions, likely only to occur during periods of little or no wind. For future visits, winds from the south-east, south or south-west need to be of force 2 or less, whilst those from the north-west, north or north-east may be as strong as force 3 to 4.

• A survey team of four persons utilising a small inflatable boat seemed to be ideal, particularly where there is an even division of skills/tasks amongst team members.

7. Recommendations for future work

A number of recommendations can be made regarding the re-survey of the intertidal sea caves within the South Wight Maritime SAC in future.

• The caves in the immediate vicinity of Freshwater Bay require surveying to a similar level of detail as was undertaken for the present survey, be this at Phase I or Phase II level.

• Further work should be carried out in describing in greater detail the communities present in certain of the caves. In particular, the encrusting faunal communities present on walls close to the entrances of certain caves should be properly sampled and identified.

• With regard to possible monitoring techniques of communities within certain caves, a more rigorous assessment of species diversity/extent could be undertaken using digital photography of non-fixed quadrats along pre- determined cross-sections.

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7. References

Browning, L. 2001. Report of the SEASEARCH survey trip, Christchurch Bay and Isle of Wight, 23-24 June 2001. Unpublished report by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Eastleigh, Hants. Bunker, F.StP.D. & Holt, R.H.F. 2003. Survey of sea caves in Welsh Special Areas of Conservation 2000-2002. A report to CCW from Marine Seen, Pembrokeshire. CCW Marine Monitoring Report No. 6, 184 pp. Connor, D.W., Allen, J.H., Golding, N., Howell, K.L., Lieberknecht, L.M., Northen, K.O. & Reker, J.B. 2004. The Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland: Version 04:05. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. ISBN 1 861 07561 8 (internet version). Daley, B. & Insole, A. 1984. Geologist’s Association Guide. No. 25. The Isle of Wight. Fowler, S.L. & Tittley, I. 1993. The Marine Nature Conservation Importance of British Coastal Chalk Cliff Habitats. A report to English Nature from The Nature Conservation Bureau Ltd., Newbury. EN Report No. 32. Herbert, R.J.H. Intertidal Reef Survey, Hanover Point to St Catherine’s Point SSSI and Freshwater Bay, south coast of Isle of Wight, July-August 2002. Report to English Nature. Hiscock, K. ed. 1996. Marine Nature Conservation Review: rational and methods. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom, MNCR series). Jones, D.K.C. 1981. The Geomorphology of the British Isles, Southeast and Southern England. Methuen, London, New York. 332pp. Tittley, I. 1988. Chalk cliff algal communities (vol 2): outside SE England. Unpublished report by the Natural History Museum, London to the Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough. CSD Report No. 878 (R1604). Tittley, I., Spurrier, C.J.H., Chimonides, P.J., George, J.D., Moore, J.A., Evans, N.J. & Muir, A.I. 1998. Survey of chalk cave, cliff, intertidal and subtidal reef biotopes in the Thanet coast cSAC. English Nature Research Reports 325. 100pp. Tittley, I., Spurrier, C.J.H. & Chimonides, P.J. 2002. Thanet intertidal survey: assessment of favourable condition of reef and sea-cave features in the Thanet Coast cSAC. English Nature Research Reports 568, 82pp. Wood, C.R. 1992. Sublittoral Chalk Habitats in Southern England. Unpublished report of the Marine Conservation Society (SE Region) Chalk Cliffs Project, 1985-1991.

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APPENDICES

Appendix I List of species recorded from selected caves Appendix II Field Log Appendix III Field Recording Sheet (Pro Forma) Appendix IV List of digital photographs taken

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Appendix I

List of species recorded from selected caves

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Appendix I: List of species recorded from selected caves (N.B. Algal identifications provisional pending further taxonomic study)

White White Needl Lord Lord Neptu Left Right Cliffs Cliff es Holm Holm ne Nostri Nostri Cave Cave Cave es’ es’ Cave l l Species Comments East West Cellar Kitch West en Apistonema carterae Alga: Haptophyceae, light or dark brown patches on cave walls and ceilings at supralittoral levels; often mixed with cyanobacteria. 9 9 9 ? 9 9

Arthropyrenia Lichen: pinkish crusts with black spots - apothecia; at supralittoral and halodites upper littoral levels 9 Blidingia sp. Alga: Chlorophyceae, small tubular species with cells less than 5 microns diam.; in more illuminated parts of caves around high tide level 9 Cladophora rupestris Alga: Chlorophyceae, dark green branched filamentous species, occasionally on cave walls and ceilings at supralittoral levels (usually a 9 littoral species) Cladophora sp. Alga: Chlorophyceae 9 Codiolum sp. Alga: Chlorophyceae, dark green stalked unicells; stage in the life history of Urospora spp.; common around high tide level 9 9 Enteromorpha Alga: Chlorophyceae, tubular species, common on cliffs and in the more prolifera illuminated regions of caves; upper littoral levels 9 Enteromorpha sp. Alga: Chlorophyceae, as above. 9 9 9 Entocladia viridis Alga: Chlorophyceae, microscopic filaments associated with gelatinous mats of Apistonema. 9 9 Entophysalis conferta Cyanobacterium: unicellular clusters either on rock or epiphytic on larger algae, at high tide level and above. 9 9 9 9 9 9 Eugomonyia sacculata Alga: Chlorophyceae, chalk-boring species, of microscopic filaments with distended cells; tinges chalk rocks bright green at supralittoral and upper 9 midlittoral levels.

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White White Needl Lord Lord Neptu Left Right Cliffs Cliff es Holm Holm ne Nostri Nostri Cave Cave Cave es’ es’ Cave l l Species Comments East West Cellar Kitch West en Gelidium pusillum Alga: Rhodophyceae, dark red, wiry, mat-forming species at upper midlittoral levels. 9 Hildenbrandia Alga: Rhodophyceae, red crustose species, abundant in shaded caves at crouanii littoral and supralittoral levels; distinguished by spore cleavage. 9 Hildenbrandia sp. Alga: Rhodophyceae, as above but sterile. 9 Hyella caespitosa Cyanobacterium: chalk boring, filamentous species, common at littoral and supralittoral levels; tinges chalk rock blue-green in colour 9 9 9 9 9 Indet. black crust Probably an alga. 9 Indet. dark brown crust Probably an alga. 9 Indet. light brown Probably an alga. crust 9 Indet. filamentous Alga: insufficient characters to define genus and species. chlorophyceae 9 9 Indet. red crust Alga: Rhodophyceae, red crust on shaded cave walls and ceilings at supralittoral levels; distinguished from Hildenbrandia by larger cell size; 9 9 referred to by Tittley (1988) as a species possibly new to science (Kylesalia) Indet. red crust 2 Alga: Rhodophyceae, red crust on shaded cave walls and ceilings at supralittoral levels; distinguished from Hildenbrandia by larger cell size 9 and from the previous species by filaments that separate easily under pressure. Indet. crustose Alga: Rhodophyceae, crustose Corallinaceae occur abundantly both on Corallinaceae chalk cliffs and in caves. 9 Phymatolithon Alga: Rhodophyceae, a crustose Corallinaceae species that occurs abundant lenormandii both on chalk cliffs and in caves at upper littoral and occasionally 9 9 9 9 supralittoral levels.

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White White Needl Lord Lord Neptu Left Right Cliffs Cliff es Holm Holm ne Nostri Nostri Cave Cave Cave es’ es’ Cave l l Species Comments East West Cellar Kitch West en Pilinia rimosa Alga: Phaeophyceae, a filamentous species that forms a golden brown (Waerneilla lucifuga) velvety growth on shaded walls and ceilings of caves around high tide 9 9 9 9 9 level. Pseudendoclonium Alga: Chlorophyceae, clusters of cells, branched filaments that aggregate to submarinum form a layer, colouring shaded walls and ceilings green. 9 9 9 9 9 9 Ralfsia verrucosa Alga: Phaeophyceae, blackish brown discoid crusts at upper littoral levels. 9 Rhizoclonium Alga: Chlorophyceae, filamentous species that forms at mat over chalk tortuosum rocks. 9 Rhodochorton Alga: Rhodophyceae, a filamentous species that forms a red velvety growth purpureum on shaded walls and ceilings of caves around high tide level. 9 9 9 9 Schizothrix sp. Cyanobacterium: coarse filaments that grow in and among gelatinous algal mats. 9 9 9 9 Sphacelaria sp. Alga: Phaeophyceae, dark brown filamentous mats on shaded cave walls around high tide level. 9 Thallochrysis littoralis Alga: Chrysophyceae, light or dark brown patches on cave walls and ceilings at supralittoral levels; often mixed with cyanobacteria. 9 Verrucaria sp. Lichen: dark green crusts; at supralittoral and upper littoral levels. 9 ? 9

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Appendix II

Field Log

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Sea-Scope x Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

APPENDIX II Field Log

Monday 05 September 2005 Tide: LW 18:05 (1.0m) P.m. Weather: sunny; wind: light, SW f3 Sea state: slight 12:15 Team (RI, MW, IT & CP) arrive at Lymington Pier to catch 12:45 WightLink ferry to Yarmouth. 13:00 Drive in two vehicles to accommodation (Sandpipers Hotel) at Freshwater Bay. Sort out boat and other survey equipment & PPE. 15:30 Take boat to shore launch site, Freshwater Bay. 16:10 Depart Freshwater Bay (Tennyson Monument @16:25; Sun Corner @ 16:45; Needles @ 16:50) Phase I surveys of White Cliff Cave East & White Cliff Cave West Mark GPS positions of a number of cave entrances on return to Freshwater. 19:35 Return Freshwater Bay 20:40 Evening meal at hotel

Tuesday 06 September Tides: LW 06:19 (0.8m) & 18:32 (1.0m) A.m. Weather: cloud & sunny; wind: light, variable though predominantly E. Sea state: calm though with 0.5m swell P.m. Weather: sunny; wind: negligible Sea state: flat calm 05:45 Take boat to shore launch site 06:15 Depart Freshwater Bay Phase I survey of Neptune Cave West Initial look-see of Neptune Cave System, but swell too great to hold boat in shallows safely. Mark GPS positions of cave entrances in Neptune & Freshwater cave systems, and also of caves on the east side of Freshwater Bay (Mermaid caves) 08:20 Return to Freshwater Bay CP returns to EN Offices Lyndhurst to collect drysuit for IT and to p’copy more recording forms Write up of notes + downloading of photos 15:30 Take boat to shore launch site 16:10 Depart Freshwater Bay Phase I survey of Bar Cave 17:10 Phase II survey of Needles Cave 19:10 End survey and return to Freshwater Bay 19:40 Arrive Freshwater Bay 20:45 Evening meal at hotel Write up of notes + downloading of photos

Sea-Scope xi Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

Wednesday 07 September Tides: LW 06:46 (0.9m) & 18:59 (1.0m) A.m. Weather: cloudy at first, then sunny; wind: negligible. Sea state: flat calm. P.m. Weather: sunny; wind: SW f2-3 Sea state: slight 05:45 Take boat to shore launch site 06:15 Depart Freshwater Bay 06:52 Phase II survey of Lord Holmes’ Cellar cave. Phase I survey of Lord Holmes’ Parlour cave. Take GPS fixes on Frenchman’s Hole, Bar Cave, and Little and Large Caves. 09:20 Return to Freshwater Bay MW takes CP to catch 12:15 ferry at Yarmouth and meets JC arriving off 11:45 ferry Write up of notes + downloading of photos 16:00 Take boat to shore launch site 16:30 Depart Freshwater Bay Phase II survey of Lord Holmes’ Kitchen cave Phase I survey of Lord Holmes’ Privy cave Phase I survey of Lord Holmes’ Scullery cave Phase I survey of Frenchman’s Hole cave 20:10 Return to Freshwater Bay 20:35 Evening meal at hotel Write up of notes + downloading of photos

Thursday 08 September Tides: LW 07:13 (1.0m) Freshwater & 20:19 (0.1m) Bembridge A.m. Weather: cloudy at first, then sunny; wind: SW f1-3. Sea state: slight. P.m. Weather: sunny; wind: SW f3-4. Sea state: slight 05:45 Take boat to shore launch site 06:15 Depart Freshwater Bay 06:50 Phase I survey of Little cave. 07:25 Phase I survey of Large cave. 08:20 Phase I survey of Neptune Cave System. 09:20 Return to Freshwater Bay Dismantle boat, pack up survey equipment & PPE & load Pelagial vehicle. MW & JC depart to catch 12:30 ferry at Yarmouth. Write up of notes + downloading of photos 15:25 RI & IT depart Freshwater and drive across island to Sandhills Holiday Park, Culver Cliff 16:30 Leave car at Sandhills Holiday Park and meet with Roger Herbert.

Sea-Scope xii Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

Thursday 08 September (cont.) 16:55 Walk to Culver Cliff, but have to wait 30 mins. for tide to drop at N. end of Culver Down/Whitecliff Ledge. 17:15 Phase I survey of Culver Cut, Culver Cliff 17:45 Phase II survey of Left Nostril cave, Culver Cliff. 18:40 Phase I survey of Right Nostril cave, Culver Cliff. 19:10 Depart Nostril caves and walk back to Sandhills Holiday Park 19:40 Drive back across island to Freshwater. 20:40 Evening meal at hotel Write up of notes + downloading of photos

Friday 09 September 08:45 RI & IT depart Freshwater for Yarmouth 09:00 Check-in at Ferry Terminal 09:30 Ferry from Yarmouth to Lymington 10:10 IT catches train to London from Lymington Pier RI drives to EN Offices, Lyndhurst to return borrowed items to CP and to obtain SSSI & SAC maps & citations. 12:00 RI departs Lyndhurst for Devon.

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Sea-Scope xiv Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

Appendix III

Field Recording Sheet (Pro Forma)

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Sea-Scope xvi Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

Cave ID: Date of survey:

Surveyors: Time of survey:

GPS position: GPS datum: OSGB36 Bearing to entrance:

Aspect of shore: Orientation of Approx. distance entrance: from entrance:

Entrance Entrance Length of Cave: Height: Width:

Sketch of cave entrance (indicating position/height above sea level):

TRANSITS:

Sketch/description of Feature 1 Bearing: Sketch/description of Feature 2 Bearing:

Sea-Scope xvii Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

Sketch / Plan of cave floor + wall profiles

Photographs: Ref. No. Subject

Sea-Scope xviii Littoral sea caves survey, South Wight Maritime SAC - Final Report

Appendix IV

List of digital photographs taken

Sea-Scope xix

LIST OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN

All photographs taken by Robert Irving ©Sea-Scope (unless otherwise accredited)

PHOTO REF. DESCRIPTION

White Cliffs Cave East WCCE_01 View of entrance from offshore. WCCE_02 View of entrance from offshore – closer. WCCE_03 View from western side of entrance towards rear of cave, showing black growth (ChrHap) and green growth (GCv) on wall/ceiling, with surveyor (IT). WCCE_04 View from eastern side of entrance towards rear of cave, showing black growth (ChrHap) and green growth (GCv) on wall/ceiling. WCCE_05 Silhouette view of entrance from within cave, with IT taking a rock sample & CP & MW looking on at water’s edge.

White Cliffs Cave West WCCW_01 View of entrance from offshore. WCCW_02 View of entrance from offshore - closer. WCCW_03 Close-up of wall at entrance to cave, with limpet community (ScrFa) together with green algal community (GCv). WCCW_04 View from entrance of NE wall of cave, featuring black growths (ChrHap) and scour zone at base of wall (BarCv), and 3 surveyors (MW, CP & IT). WCCW_05 View from entrance of SW wall of cave, with surveyor (CP) inspecting the black growths (ChrHap) on the ceiling/inclined walls. WCCW_06 Silhouette view of cave entrance from inside cave, with two surveyors (CP & MW) beside boat. WCCW_07 Various growths on wall/ceiling.

Needles Cave [Most photos taken by CP] NC_01 View of rear of cave showing extensive scour zone (BarCv). NC_02 View of SE section of rear of cave, showing scoured chalk bedrock with exposed flints – poor quality. NC_03 View of SE section of rear of cave, showing scoured chalk bedrock with exposed flints. NC_04 View of NE section of rear of cave, showing scoured chalk bedrock with exposed flints. NC_05 View of NE section of rear of cave (adjoining NC_04), showing growths on ceiling above scour zone. NC_06 View of SE section of rear of cave (adjoining NC_03), showing growths on ceiling & wall above scour zone. NC_07 Pink & red growths on ceiling. NC_08 Pink & red growths on ceiling (featuring dark red growth – sp. novo?) NC_09 View of rear of cave showing sandy floor and growths on ceiling. NC_10 View of S side of cave (inner section), featuring beach, wall & ceiling. NC_11 View of N side of cave (inner section), featuring beach, wall & ceiling. NC_12 View of S side of cave (mid section), featuring floor boulders & wall.

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PHOTO REF. DESCRIPTION

NC_13 View of rear section of cave from halfway into cave, with two surveyors (RI & IT) & beached boat. NC_14 Vertical wall with Hyella-stained rock and crustose Corallinaceae. NC_15 Bedrock/boulder floor with crustose Corallinaceae and small sponge crusts (incl. Halichondria panicea and Esperiopsis fucorum) (ScrFa). NC_16 View of apex of ceiling near entrance, with encrusting green algae, ?Cladophora sp. and crustose Corallinaceae. NC_17 View of northern wall close to entrance showing pitted nature of chalk bedrock, with red algal tufts (?AudPil) and crustose Corallinaceae. NC_18 View of whole cave from near entrance, with surveyors at rear of cave – over- exposed. NC_19 View of whole cave from near entrance, with surveyors at rear of cave. NC_20 Red algal turf (dominated by Corallina officinalis) on top of floor boulder/bedrock on southern side of cave entrance. NC_21 Northern wall at entrance to cave, with distinct zonation apparent. Cliffs backing Scratchell’s Bay in distance. NC_22 View of southern side of entrance to cave – over-exposed. NC_23 View of southern side of entrance to cave, taken from inside cave. NC_24 View of green and red growths on ceiling. NC_25 View of green and red growths on ceiling – close-up. NC_26 View of part of rear of cave – blurred image. NC_27 View of inner southern wall below low ceiling – blurred image. However, shows unidentified brown growth on ceiling. NC_28 Silhouette view of cave entrance. NC_29 Undertaking measurements of ceiling heights on cross-section, with two surveyors (RI & MW). NC_30 Two surveyors (RI & MW) at rear of cave – poor photo. NC_31 Surveyor (MW) measuring ceiling height on cross-section at rear of cave. NC_32 Strawberry anemone Actinia fragacea on lower wall. NC_33 Lower part of southern wall near entrance, showing crustose Corallinaceae with ?Rhodochorton purpureum patches, with Hyella-stained rock above. NC_34 Rear of cave bathed in evening sunlight, with beached boat. NC_35 Surveyor (CP) close to entrance, showing ceiling with green and red growths – over-exposed. NC_36 Surveyor (IT) taking a rock sample from the ceiling – over-exposed. NC_37 Crack along mid-line of ceiling, with green algal growths (GCv) – close-up. NC_38 Crack along mid-line of ceiling, with green algal growths (GCv). NC_Cliff_01 View of cliff above Needles Cave (entrance shown bottom right), showing rock strata (portrait). NC_ent_01 View of entrance to Needles Cave (portrait). NC_ent_02 View of entrance to Needles Cave (portrait). NC_ent_03 View of entrance to Needles Cave (landscape). NC_ent_04 View of entrance to Needles Cave (landscape). NC_ent_05 View of entrance to Needles Cave (landscape) – close-up. NC_ent_06 Entrance to Needles Cave – close-up, & showing whole of internal view of cave. NC_ent_07 Entrance to Needles Cave – close-up, & showing whole of internal view of cave.

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PHOTO REF. DESCRIPTION

NC_view from View of the Needles, taken from the entrance to Needles Cave. ent

Lord Holmes’ Privy [All photos taken by CP] LHPr_01 View of entrance LHPr_02 View of east side of cave LHPr_03 View of west side of cave LHPr_04 The lichen Blidingia on lower wall close to entrance (Lic.Bli) LHPr_05 View of whole cave with surveyor (IT) (portrait) LHPr_06 Close-up of bare, scoured chalk bedrock (BarCv) LHPr_07 Laurencia pinnatifida + Corallina officinalis on vertical rock outside entrance. LHPr_08 Shredded fronds of ?Sacchoriza polyschides showing above water in the shallows close to the shore. LHPr_ent View of the whole cave from offshore.

Lord Holmes’ Kitchen LHK_01 Silhouette view of entrance with surveyor in centre. LHK_02 Close-up of western side of rear of cave showing scoured chalk bedrock (BarCv) above pebble beach. LHK_03 Close-up of eastern side of rear of cave showing scoured chalk bedrock (BarCv) above pebble beach. LHK_04 Rear part of cave in full, with two surveyors (IT & CP). LHK_05 Close-up of lower wall close to entrance with limpets & barnacles (ScrFa) on green-stained bedrock. LHK_06 Close-up of lower wall close to entrance with limpets & barnacles (ScrFa) on green-stained bedrock - burred focus. LHK_07 Close-up of lower wall close to entrance with limpets & barnacles (ScrFa) on green-stained bedrock. LHK_08 Limpets Patella vulgata (ScrFa) on green-stained rock, with crustose Corallinaceae below. LHK_09 Green & red growths on ceiling towards rear of cave . LHK_ent View of cave entrance from offshore.

Lord Holmes’ Parlour (Most photos taken by CP) LHPa_46 Close-up view of entrance from offshore, with surveyor (MW). LHPa_47 View of eastern wall, approx. 1/3 into cave, showing smooth Hyella-stained surface (GCv) with crustose Corallinaceae, protruding flints and Patella vulgata. LHPa_48 View from eastern side near entrance of rest of cave, with surveyor (MW) in foreground. LHPa_49 View of inner half of western wall, with scour zone at base (BarCv), above which is a zone of green algae (GCv). LHPa_50 Rear of cave showing sloping pebble beach and scour zone at base of walls, with surveyor (MW) in foreground. LHPa_51 View of rear of cave showing pebble ridge of beach, and a change in ceiling height from 0.6m to 3m (surveyor standing up in chamber at back). LHPa_52 Surveyor (MW) standing up in small chamber at rear of cave.

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PHOTO REF. DESCRIPTION

LHPa_53 View of rear section of western wall, showing scoured rock (BarCv) and green (GCv) and red (?AudCla) on low ceiling. LHPa_54 Silhouette view of entrance taken from near rear of cave. LHPa_55 Distinct, extensive red growth on sloping ceiling. LHPa_56 Green-ish growths on ceiling – not sharp. LHPa_57 Green-ish growths on ceiling. LHPa_58 Red growth on ceiling (portrait view). LHPa_59 Scoured zone (BarCv) on western wall halfway into cave, with Hyella (?GCv) and crustose Corallinaceae on ceiling. LHPa_60 Silhouette view of entrance with surveyor swimming out, taken from near rear of cave. LHPa_61 Western wall near entrance with Actinia equina anemones (ScrFa) on Hyella- stained rock (?GCv) with crustose Corallinaceae. LHPa_62 View of western side of entrance from offshore. LHPa_63 Limpets Patella vulgata (?ScrFa) on Hyella-stained vertical rock (?GCv) at entrance to cave. LHPa_64 Sea-facing wall at entrance to cave with limpets, Verrucaria mucosa and Corallina officinalis. LHPa_ent View of cave entrance from offshore.

Lord Holmes’ Cellar – see also diagram marking location of internal photos. Most photos taken by CP LHC_01 Rear of cave with surveyor (MW) & tape, scour zone (BarCv) & pebble beach LHC_02 Rear of cave with surveyor (MW) & tape, scour zone (BarCv) & pebble beach (closer) LHC_03 Silhouette view of east half of entrance - blurred LHC_04 Silhouette view of west half of entrance LHC_05 View of sloping eastern wall towards rear of cave, featuring green algal growth (GCv). LHC_06 [This photo has been deleted] LHC_07 View SE towards the eastern side of cave entrance, showing pebble/gravel floor, wall (with distinct ‘lip’ on lower part) and ceiling. ChrHap and GCv feature on wall/ceiling. LHC_08 View SW towards western side of entrance, showing gravel floor and walls/ceiling with dark growths of Chrysophyseae (ChrHap). LHC_09 Inflatable boat in centre, with wall on western side of cave entrance. LHC_10 Vertical rock face on eastern entrance to cave. LHC_11 Silhouette view of cave entrance (close-up). LHC_12 View towards rear of cave showing scour zone (BarCv), with IT in foreground taking a rock sample. LHC_13 View towards rear of cave showing pebble beach and green algal growth (GCv) and dark growths (ChrHap) on low ceiling. LHC_14 View of eastern wall halfway into cave, showing scour zone (BarCv) at base of wall and green algal growths (GCv) and black growths (ChrHap) above. LHC_15 View of eastern wall halfway into cave, showing scour zone (BarCv) at base of wall and green algal growths (GCv) and black growths (ChrHap) above. LHC_16 View of eastern wall at entrance, showing undercut ‘lip’.

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PHOTO REF. DESCRIPTION

LHC_17 View of NW part of cave, showing ridge of pebble beach and ceiling with green (GCv) and black (ChrHap) growths. [Overlaps with LHC_18] LHC_18 View of NW part of cave, showing ridge of pebble beach and ceiling with green (GCv) and black (ChrHap) growths. [Overlaps with LHC_17 & 19] LHC_19 View of W wall with green (GCv) and black (ChrHap) growths, scour zone (BarCv) at base and pebble beach in foreground. [Overlaps with LHC_18] LHC_20 View of W wall at entrance with green (GCv) and black (ChrHap) growths, scour zone (BarCv) at base and pebble beach in foreground. [Overlaps with LHC_19] LHC_21 View of western side of entrance, with beached inflatable boat in foreground. [Overlaps with LHC_21] LHC_22 View of western half of cave from near centre of entrance, with IT in foreground. [Overlaps with LHC_23] LHC_23 View of eastern half of cave from near centre of entrance. [Overlaps with LHC_22] LHC_24 View towards rear from near west side of entrance, with surveyor in distance to give scale. [Overlaps with LHC_25]. LHC_25 View of eastern side of cave from near west side of entrance. [Overlaps with LHC_24 & 26]. LHC_26 View of entrance from near west side of entrance. [Overlaps with LHC_25]. LHC_27 View towards rear of cave from near east side of entrance, with surveyors at rear to give scale. [Overlaps with LHC_28]. LHC_28 View of western side of cave from near east side of entrance, with surveyors at rear to give scale. [Overlaps with LHC_27 & 29]. LHC_29 View of entrance from near east side of entrance, with beached inflatable boat in foreground. [Overlaps with LHC_28]. LHC_30 View SW (seaward) from cave entrance, with part of the Needles in distance. LHC_31 View S from cave entrance, showing emergent rocks close inshore. LHC_32 View of rear of cave with two surveyors (RI & MW), showing GCv and ChrHap on ceiling & walls and BarCv at base of wall. LHC_33 View towards rear of cave showing GCv and ChrHap on ceiling & walls together with some patches of bare chalk. LHC_34 View towards rear of cave (from closer to entrance) showing GCv and ChrHap on ceiling & walls together with some patches of bare chalk, and the sloping pebble beach floor. LHC_35 Close-up of scour zone (BarCv) with green algal community (GCv) above, towards rear of cave. LHC_36 View of low ceiling and ‘lip’ at NE part of the rear of the cave, with GCv and BarCv apparent. LHC_37 View of start of cross-section T2 at base of eastern wall, with surveyor (MW) providing scale. LHC_38 View of end of cross-section T2 at base of western wall, with CP holding tape and RI in foreground. LHC_39 Limpets Patella vulgata grazing on vertical section of eastern wall near entrance, with patches of crustose Corallinaceae and green tinge of the cyanobacterium Hyella caespitosa. (ScrFa, GCv? + ?) LHC_40 Limpets Patella vulgata and sparse barnacles Semibalanus balanoides & Chthamalus ?montagui on vertical section of eastern wall near entrance, with green tinge of the cyanobacterium Hyella caespitosa. (ScrFa, GCv?) LHC_41 Section of ?inclined section of eastern wall near entrance, with limpets Patella vulgata, crustose Corallinaceae and barnacles. (ScrFa, GCv? + ?).

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PHOTO REF. DESCRIPTION

LHC_42 Lower section of wall at western side of entrance, with Patella on Hyella-stained vertical rock (GCv) above crustose Corallinaceae and Corallina officinalis with Actinia equina. LHC_43 Close-up of community described in LHC_42. LHC_44 View of whole cave taken from western side of entrance. LHC_45 View westwards from cave entrance towards the Needles, showing Highdown Cliffs. LHC_ent Entrance to Lord Holmes’ Cellar, taken from offshore.

Lord Holmes’ Scullery LHS_01 View of entrance with two surveyors (JC & IT) swimming in LHS_02 View of entrance with two surveyors (JC & IT) swimming in LHS_03 Dense Corallina officinalis on western side of entrance LHS_04 Pebble beach, low ceiling and scour zone (BarCv) at rear of cave LHS_05 Pebble beach, scour zone (BarCv) and low ceiling with thin, hard brown film (uncertain biotope) at rear of cave LHS_06 View from entrance towards back of cave, showing arched ceiling with crustose Corallinaceae – dark. LHS_07 Faunal crusts on low vertical wall on east side of entrance (ScrFa) LHS_08 Faunal crusts on low vertical wall on east side of entrance (ScrFa), with the sponges Esperiopsis fucorum & Halichondria sp. apparent LHS_09 View of ceiling above west wall, just in from entrance, with crustose Corallinaceae – blurred. LHS_10 Small ‘indent’ in cliff just to the east of LH Scullery cave – the start of a new cave? LHS_ent View of the entrance from offshore

Frenchman’s Hole FH_01 Ceiling & west wall halfway into cave with surveyor (IT) - blurred FH_02 Entrance silhouette from inside FH_03 Rear of cave showing ceiling with surveyor (JC) - dark FH_04 Shallow rockpool at rear of cave with scour zone (BarCv) FH_05 View towards entrance showing ceiling with cover of crustose Corallinaceae - dark FH_06 Towards rear of cave showing walls & ceiling with crustose Corallinaceae & 2 surveyors (IT & JC) FH_07 Encrusting algal patches on ceiling FH_08 Encrusting algal patches on ceiling - blurred FH_09 Crustose Corallinaceae on ceiling - blurred FH_ent1 View of entrance from offshore FH_ent2 Closer view of entrance from offshore - blurred

Bar Cave BC_01 Entrance from offshore BC_02 Entrance from offshore BC_03 Entrance silhouette from inside BC_04 Ceiling with (VmucHil) on flints & ? (GCv) BC_05 Rear of cave showing scour zone (BarCv) & pebble beach

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PHOTO REF. DESCRIPTION

BC_06 Entrance from inside with surveyors & boat in distance BC_07 East side of cave with surveyor (RI) BC_08 West side of cave near entrance BC_09 Central section of west side of cave with surveyor (IT) BC_10 East side of cave with surveyor (RI) & breaking wave! BC_11 Anemones etc. (ScrFa) on east wall near entrance BC_12 Ceiling of mid-section of cave with BC_13 Ceiling of rear-section with (VmucHil) on flints & (GCv) BC_14 Ceiling of rear-section with (VmucHil) on flints & (GCv) + scale pencil for ?sp novo. BC_15 West wall with crustose Corallinaceae + surveyor (IT)

Little Cave LiC_01 Rear of cave showing pebble beach, scour zone (BarCv) and green-stained ceiling. LiC_02 View along western wall of cave towards rear. LiC_03 Entrance silhouette of entrance. LiC_04 View towards rear from eastern side approx. halfway into cave, with 2 surveyors (JC & IT) – dark. LiC_05 View towards rear from western side approx. halfway into cave, with 2 surveyors (JC & IT), showing ceiling & pebble beach. LiC_06 View towards rear from centre approx. halfway into cave – dark + water spots on lens. LiC_07 Beadlet anemones Actinia equina & other encrusting fauna (ScrFa) & Corallinaceae on eastern wall near entrance. LiC_08 Orange sponge (?Esperiopsis fucorum) and other encrusting fauna (ScrFa) on eastern wall near entrance. LiC_09 Encrusting fauna (featuring various small sponge growths) (ScrFa) on eastern wall near entrance. LiC_10 Encrusting fauna (featuring various small sponge growths & spirorbid worms) (ScrFa) on eastern wall near entrance – best shot. LiC_11 Red growths on ceiling. Li&La_ent Entrances to Little and Large Caves

Large Cave LaC_01 Close-up view of entrance (portrait) LaC_02 Rear of cave showing scoured walls (BarCv) and pebble beach LaC_03 Narrow secondary entrance halfway along eastern wall LaC_04 View towards entrance from rear of cave with surveyor (IT) – water on lens LaC_05 View towards entrance from rear of cave with surveyor (IT) – water on lens LaC_06 View towards rear of cave – v. dark (portrait) LaC_07 View towards rear of cave – v. dark (landscape) LaC_08 (FaCr) biotope low on eastern wall close to entrance LaC_09 (FaCr) biotope low on eastern wall close to entrance LaC_10 (FaCr) biotope low on eastern wall close to entrance LaC_11 (FaCr) biotope low on eastern wall close to entrance, with crustose Corallinaceae

Sea-Scope xxvi

PHOTO REF. DESCRIPTION

LaC_12 View of rear of cave showing walls & ceiling with crustose Corallinaceae & surveyor (IT) - blurred LaC_13 (FaCr) biotope low on eastern wall close to entrance LaC_14 Close-up of Actinia equina & sparse barnacles (ScrFa) LaC_15 Close-up of Halichondria sp. & Actinia equina (ScrFa) Li&La_ent Entrances to Little and Large Caves

Neptune Cave West NCW_01 View of eastern wall from SW side of entrance, showing green algal film (GCv), with beached boat and surveyors (IT, CP & RI). NCW_02 View of western wall from SE side of entrance, showing green algal film (GCv) and scour zone (BarCv). NCW_03 Central view (portrait) towards rear of cave showing green algal film on ceiling (GCv) and scour zone around base of walls (BarCv). NCW_04 Rear chamber of cave showing scoured walls (BarCv) and clean flint pebbles. NCW_05 Silhouette view from inside of the cave entrance, with two surveyors (IT & CP). NCW_ent_01 View of entrance from offshore. NCW_ent_02 View of entrance from offshore - closer but less sharp.

Neptune Cave System – see also diagram marking location of internal photos. NCS_01 Close-up of shore entrance (F) from Watcombe Bay beach. NCS_02 Internal view S from entrance F along ‘tunnel’ to entrance B – dark. NCS_03 View SE from end of ‘tunnel’ towards entrance C, showing Hyella and crustose Corallinaceae on walls (?GCv) NCS_04 Silhouette view S of entrance B from close to end of ‘tunnel’. NCS_05 View SW towards entrances A & B of main chamber, showing boulder/bedrock floor encrusted with crustose Corallinaceae – poor (water on lens). NCS_06 View SE from opening of western tunnel of main chamber with entrances A (on right) & B (on left), showing boulder/bedrock floor encrusted with crustose Corallinaceae. NCS_07 Portrait view of entrance D from western end of main chamber, with wall/ceiling at the back of the main chamber on the left. NCS_08 Silhouette view of entrance A, with boat & 2 surveyors (CP & MW). NCS_09 Partial silhouette view of entrances A & B – v. poor quality. NCS_10 Silhouette of entrance B – v. poor quality. NCS_11 View eastwards across main chamber of entrance D – poor quality. NCS_12 Shore entrance (F) from the western side of Watcombe Bay beach. NCS_13 View SW of main chamber and entrance A, showing boulder/bedrock floor encrusted with crustose Corallinaceae. NCS_14 View from offshore of the three main entrances (A, B & C). NCS_15 View from offshore of the three main entrances (A, B & C). NCS_16 View of entrance A from offshore. NCS_17 View of entrance B from offshore. NCS_18 View of entrance C from offshore. Note that light can be seen entering the cave through entrance D. NCS_19 View from SE of the four entrances to the Neptune Cave System (A, B, C & D) plus, at the far left, the entrance to Neptune Cave West.

Sea-Scope xxvii

PHOTO REF. DESCRIPTION

Culver Cut CC_01 Distance view of whole ‘Cut’ (portrait) CC_02 Closer view of whole ‘Cut’ (landscape)

Right Nostril Cave RNC_01 Silhouette view of entrance from inside cave. RNC_02 External view of cave entrance (with Roger Herbert). RNC_03 Portrait view of cave floor (showing series of shallow parallel pools – Rkp.Cor) & walls from close to entrance – dark. RNC_04 View towards entrance from rear of cave showing pebble beach, exposed bedrock ridges on floor, and smooth inclined walls. RNC_05 View of rear end of cave, showing inclined pebble beach, scour zone around base of walls (BarCv) and green algal growths on inclined walls (GCv). RNC_06 Beadlet anemones Actinia equina (ScrFa) on lower part of wall close to entrance. RNC_07 Beadlet anemones Actinia equina on floor of cave adjacent to rockpools. The Nostrils_1 View of the entrances to both R. Nostril & L. Nostril caves The Nostrils_2 View of the entrances to both R. Nostril & L. Nostril caves

Left Nostril Cave LNC_01 View of entrance from outside LNC_02 View of whole cave from outside entrance (face on) LNC_03 View of whole cave from outside entrance (face on) LNC_04 View of side wall close to entrance (BarCv + ?) [x-sect 1] LNC_05 Upper zone of wall [x-sect 2] LNC_06 Ceiling with green tinge [x-sect 3] LNC_07 Ceiling with green tinge and lines of flints [x-sect 4] LNC_08 Wall with green tinge and lines of flints [x-sect 5] LNC_09 Lower wall with ? [x-sect 6] LNC_10 Patch of ?Rhodochorton on ceiling at rear of cave LNC_11 Ulva sp. on chalk boulders at entrance The Nostrils_1 View of the entrances to both R. Nostril & L. Nostril caves The Nostrils_2 View of the entrances to both R. Nostril & L. Nostril caves

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