Taping at Scoska Cave
The sheltered entrance to Scoska Cave has been proclaimed the richest cave in Britain for mosses and liverworts and one of the richest in Europe, by a study by Allen Pentecost and Zhang Zhouhui in 2001.
The entrance passage demonstrates a great variety of cave flora and fauna. In particular, it provides an excellent example of how plant species vary in response to diminishing light as one progresses further into the passage away from daylight. This starts with woodland species, and gradually progresses down to just algae as the light dimishes and the moisture increases. It is a fascinating transition to observe.
One side of the passage was taped-off several years ago, to help protect the plants from damage from visiting cavers, and to preserve this example of floral diversity. The plants can easily be dislodged and destroyed by careless trampling or dumping of rucksacks. Since the original efforts, the flora on that side of the passage has flourished.
In 2022 however, we learned that the tape had been removed, so we replaced it.
We recently heard that the conservation tape and pins had once again been removed, so on 30th October our Projects Officer, Andrew Hinde, replaced them. He also recorded 66 Tissue Moths and 23 Herald Moths hibernating, plus Meta minardi egg sacs hanging from the cave roof for the first time at this site.
By taping off one side of the passage we hope to provide a protected habitat for this diversity of flora and fauna to thrive, without blocking or inconveniencing access to cavers along the other side of the passage. If you are visiting Scoska Cave, please do leave the tape alone (and why not admire the diversity of flora for yourself). If the tape is damaged or missing please let us know (conservation@cncc.org.uk).
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.