Biodiversity Action Plan

Lead Rakes

Lead rakes are the series of hillocks and hollows left by centuries of mineral mining, mostly across the limestone plateau and dalesides.

Some of these date back to Roman times, and form part of the historic character of the landscape. They also provide unusual conditions for vegetation growth thanks to the variety of waste materials which have been brought to the surface through mining. These include fluorspar, calcite, soil and rock. Because of this, many different plants with contrasting environmental requirements grow in unusually close proximity to each other. The toxic nature of some of these waste materials results in areas of metallophyte or metal tolerant vegetation of international importance. This has recently been recognised during the review of the UK BAP, and Calaminarian (or Metallophyte) Grasslands identified as a priority habitat. Spring sandwort, or leadwort is a characteristic species of old lead workings.

As well as the botanical interest, the variety of wildflowers provide a useful source of nectar for insects, and seed for birds and small mammals.

The persistence of lead rakes in the landscape is threatened by scrub encroachment and agricultural improvement. The National Park Authority’s Lead Rakes Project has been painstakingly surveying the entire ore field over the last few years in order to help with cataloguing and preserving the most important sites.

Lead Rakes action plan (420KB)