Dartmoor National Park Authority

Erosion Case Study -  Haytor

Here we present before and after pictures of works done on Haytor Down. This resource is particularly useful for students studying GSCE geography.

Haytor Down is an example of a high moorland area that is managed to accommodate a large number of visitors. The area is one of very few owned by the Dartmoor National Park Authority and is also common land. It is therefore open to public access subject to the Dartmoor Commons Byelaws (also see the Commons factsheet ).

Students may not notice the work that has taken place to maintain the area in its present state. This work has been carried out by the Dartmoor National Park Authority's conservation works team and local contractors, who between them have a wealth of experience in both repairing and maintaining such areas within the National Park after damage has occurred, and using sensitive design to prevent damage occurring in the first place.

These before and after pictures can be used in combination with the case study written up on page 3 of the Erosion factsheet.

There has to be a careful balance to try to meet the National Park’s first purpose of conservation, while stabilising and designing the site so as to increase the sites recreational carrying capacity, and also meet the National Park’s second purpose of promoting enjoyment and understanding.

If the general public does not notice the erosion repair and site management work the Authority will have succeeded in its purposes.

Erosion Problems

1. Trampling by walkers, climbers and livestock has exposed the soil around the base of the rocks.
2. People have driven vehicles onto the open land causing damage around the car park and roadsides.
3. The route from the upper car park to the Rocks is used by thousands of visitors which created erosion gullies.
4. Paths running from the Lower Haytor car park to the Rocks suffered from both narrowing by gorse encroachment and increased erosion from water runoff.
5. The popularity of the path from Lower Haytor car park to Haytor granite quarry led to muddy impassable ground.
6. The fence around the quarry attracts people and livestock causing changes to the surrounding vegetation and soil.
7. In the early 1990s erosion caused by horse riding was a serious problem on parts of Haytor Down.

Techniques Used

1 The exposed area soil appears to be fairly stable so it is not currently being managed but it is regularly monitored for change.

2 Low grassed banks have been created beside the roads and in car parks

2a Large granite boulders are used to block off grass parking areas in the winter when the ground is soft and more vulnerable to damage from tyres. This both protects the grass and reduces the number of people using the area.

3 These gullies have been filled in and the turf restored on the steeper parts of the path.

4 Gorse clearance (burning and mowing) has been undertaken so as to widen or increase the number of paths and so spread the load of walkers walking between the two points. Some works have involved temporary diversions to allow vegetation to recover – accompanied by discreet signs explaining the reasons for the work and asking for people’s co- operation. Grassed over, open drainage gullies have been created to divert rainwater away from the well used paths and reduce the possible gully erosion.

5 Granite paving slabs and rocks have been used to create a ‘gateway’ through the roadside banks and a solid base on a wet, boggy part of the path
Patches of bare earth have been restored with turf as well as reseeded with the Authority’s moorland grass seed mix. Underground springs at some points continue to make this area vulnerable to damage.

6 Currently the situation is being actively monitored and possible future works include placing of boulders, resurfacing and turf restoration.

7 These problems were successfully solved through negotiation with local horse riders, stable owners and the provision of an alternative route.

In addition visitor pressure is reduced throughout the National Park in the following ways:

• The information centre at Lower Haytor car park helps inform the general public. Well informed visitors are less likely to have a damaging impact on the moor.
• The Ranger Service have the duty to maintain the Dartmoor Commons Byelaw (3) that restricts the use of motor vehicles and mountain bikes, both of which can cause damage leading to erosion.
• There are also guidelines and codes of conduct governing the organisation of mass events aimed at reducing people’s impact on the vegetation.
• A redesigned walks leaflet for the Haytor area now avoids the sensitive areas.

On the path between the top car park and Haytor Rocks. These gullies have been filled in and the turf restored on the steeper parts of the path.”

Have a look at some more examples of erosion on Dartmoor:

• Page 1
• Page 2

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Page updated 6 July 2009