European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research -

COST Action C11

INDEX

Sheffield meeting of Management Committee for Cost Action C11 - 3-5 December 2000

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This page contains information about the local natural resources which influence Sheffiled's Greenspace

Summary of background data on Natural Resource of Sheffield Metropolitan District - geology and ecology

1. The Geological Resource in the Sheffield area

The rocks underlying Sheffield have played an important role in the development of the city:

• they control the topography and usage of land
• they influence the soils and plants that grow
• they support industry through the accessibility of coal, water and stone.

The oldest rocks found in the area, formed 300 million years ago, are of the Upper Carboniferous Period (including Millstone Grit Series and Coal Measures), when the region was sub-tropical.

Distribution: to the west are the Coal Measures sandstones underlying the north east, forming ridges separated by valleys of softer rock; the Middle Coal Measures extend further north east underlying the valleys of the rivers Don and Rother; the Middle and Upper Coal Measures extend east to Doncaster and Rotherham.

Peat formation began approximately 10,000 years ago on the moors.

Geology data sources 

There are records from 500 sites in the area, including quarries, mines, railway cuttings. Most of the data relates to 'permanent' exposures, but information on temporary exposures which emerge through excavation and development is proposed.

Geological Sites

Natural: some geological sites are constantly modified, e.g. along a river course; other processes, such as the formation of 'edges', have ceased or proceed only slowly.

Caused by human activity: iron works and coal mining extend from the mediaeval ages; the steel industry stemmed from the local abundance of materials, the local water supply and coal for fuel. The manufacture of quality bricks for kilns depends on clay and mudstones, and sandstones were used for the building and manufacture of grindstones . These sites are of particular interest to the industrial archaeologists.

Quarries, coal pits and spoil tips provide evidence of the City's geology and remnants of old industrial activity can be seen throughout its greenspace system.

Conservation Strategies recommended by the city in its Nature conservation Strategy 

Many of the geological sites have scientific importance:

• at least one representative site of each named geological 'horizon' of rocks should be conserved
• several geological horizons in the Sheffield area contain distinctive marine fossils, which are considered important in the correlation of rock units; a representative sample should be conserved
• other sites have unique or rare geological or geomorphological features and are also worth conservation.
• Several important horizons, particularly in the Middle Coal Measures, are currently hidden. These rocks occur in the east and south east of Sheffield. New sites of geological interest may be created during major construction work in the future.
• Opening up for educational purposes of access to sites of geological interest. New locations need to be identified and promoted for educational purposes, to protect well-known sites from over-use as teaching sites. Site user information needs to be provided and public awareness needs to be raised to protect vulnerable sites.

2. The ecological resource

Sheffield extends over 3,600 hectares, from the western gritstone edges and tors at over 500 meters above sea level, to the low-lying river valleys in the east which are only 10m above sea level at their lowest point. Rivers flowing from the northern and western uplands down to the east/south east and add great diversity to the local landscape and their valleys form the main greenspace structure through the city.

Major characteristics of the districts green structure:

• ancient deciduous woodlands, grass and heather moors
• upland bogs
• arable and pasture land, enclosed by dry stone walls or hedgerows.
• the urban area and its greenstructure: - woodlands, parks, river valleys, cemeteries and private domestic gardens

Major habitat types found in Sheffield

• Woodland
• Scrud
• Grassland and herbaceous parks, farmland, open space
• Arable land
• Heathland, moorland and bog
• Gardens and allotments
• Cliffs and other rock outcrops
• Linear features
• Buildings and walls
• Freshwater habitats

Diagram of Nature Conservation in Sheffield - This sketch map shows the distribution of SSSI's (Sites of special scientific interest) to the west of the city where it joins the Peak District National Park, together with the distribution of woodlands and parks within the city. The red lines are the Ward Boundaries (administrative areas)

A clickable version will be added to allow you to zoom in to view the many smaller sites of scientific interest within the city boundary.

Council Policies on nature and green - Creating and improving wildlife habitats - in the existing City Plan (under review 2003)

The information below relates to the policies that operated until 2003.
A new city planning statement is in the process of being written its policies relating to greenspacehave been summarised. See also http://www2.sheffield.gov.uk/feedback/UDP/default.htm

Habitat creation

• Wildlife Deficiency Areas have been designated in built up areas more than 1 k. from a SSI.
• Introducing differential mowing regimes in Graves Park and Crookes Valley Park has created new wildlife areas; it is planned to extend this to other parks.
• The City can specify the encouragement of habitat creation in its development schemes and in new tenancy agreements on City Council owned agricultural land; private developers can also be encouraged.
• New habitats enhance 'green corridors' and 'green links' in the City.
• Extensive tree planting has been promoted in many areas, to encourage wildlife and recreational activities in the woodlands.
• Habitat types include ponds, low-lying marshlands and washlands, low-lying heaths and flower-rich meadows.

Nature conservation in land management

Proposals include:

• Specific sites may be managed less intensively, to the benefit of wildlife.
  • Note: Maintenance work is still involved but may be distributed more evenly throughout the year.
• Training of the workforce to achieve this change from traditional land management.
• Ecological sustainable farming systems are given preference. The City Council has a number of management agreements and Farm Conservation Scheme agreements in the Sheffield area of the Peak National Park.
• Ecological management is being promoted as a feature of contracts awarded in relation to management of parks and open spaces.
  • Note: there is still a need for a high quality 'gardened' landscape, requiring intensive maintenance of some areas of parks.
• The enhancement of the natural environment in Sheffield's urban fringe and in the inner city; many groups and societies are involved in the study of local and natural history.
• Consultation with local people and visitors, before drawing up countryside management plans.

Nature for people - Public participation and consultation

A survey by the Sheffield City Wildlife Group in 1988 demonstrated rich and varied wildlife interest within the City.

Involving the public in the protection of wild places, as well as wildlife, is an important educational factor. Examples include the establishment of Sunnybank Urban Nature Park in Broomhall, but the City Wildlife Group, with support from the Council and the Urban Programme; and an urban nature reserve at Petre Street, Pitsmoor, established by the Sorby Natural History Society, with the Council.

Nature conservation in people's gardens also plays an important part - e.g. nest boxes, bird tables, ponds.

Consultation with local users is important when planning new parks or improving existing parks.

Access to areas of natural historical interest

Easy access is encouraged, where appropriate.

Community involvement in the protection of conservation sites is encouraged, e.g. litter collection, tree planting, fencing.

Interpretation and Publicity

• The importance of informing the public about wildlife and conservation projects is acknowledged, as is the raising of public awareness of the City's Countryside Interpretation, Information and Publicity Strategy. Future possibilities include exhibitions and displays in libraries, schools, etc. There are permanent exhibitions at Weston Park Museum and Wood Lane House Farm Countryside Centre, Stannington.
• New marked nature trails may be added to existing trails; these contribute to countryside management by promoting the use of certain paths.
• The City continues to support wildlife groups and natural history societies.
• The possibility of establishing a full-time City wide Ranger service has been mooted, in addition to the volunteer Ranger service that is being developed, to protect the most important habitats and to liaise with local communities and the public.

Education

Over 30 school nature areas have been created, to encourage the involvement of children in wildlife and nature conservation. Teacher resource packs are planned. The City also provides funds for schools to purchase trees, shrubs pond liners and wildflower seeds. An Environmental Education Officer was first appointed in 1971.

Monitoring - Policies and progress are under regular review.

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