Cliff Force Cave

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.3568, -2.1893

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SD877957 Favourable 98.33 2017-03-20

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Cave / Cavern · Rock Type: Limestone

Landscape processes: Coastal, Glacial, Karst

Description

Description The site is situated above five kilometres north of Hawes and covers part of the valley of Cliff Beck and Muker Common. Cliff Force Cave consists of approximately two kilometres of passages developed in the Namurian Main Limestone. The limestone has a northerly dip and crops out close to the floor of the valley of Cliff Beck which lies within the River Swale catchment. This limestone also crops out on the southern side of Abbotside Common within the catchment of the River Ure. Sinks at Sargill on Abbotside Common enter the Main Limestone. The water entering the sinks resurges at Cliff Force Cave. The Main Limestone acts as a conduit for the transfer of water from the Ure to the Swale catchment beneath the watershed. Cliff Force Cave consists of three levels which are all primarily phreatic. These three levels are thought to represent successive stages of a phreatic flow which shifted to lower inception levels as the aquifer matured. A final stage of vadose incision occurred which appears to be directly related to the lowering of the resurgence. Although each of these stages may reflect the rejuvenation of the valley floor through glacial excavation, the effect of geological structure within such a thin limestone may also have had a great influence on the position of resurgence. The Buttertubs represent a classic example of invasion vadose shafts developed close to a steep valley side. Horizontal caves only developed at the base of the limestone where the underlying shales blocked further vertical groundwater movement. Cliff Force Cave is nationally important as the prime example of a cave developed in a thin bed limestone by drainage passing beneath a major surface watershed. Geological controls, both structural and lithological, have influenced the configuration and morphology of the cave, producing a cave system on multiple phreatic levels, which is unusual in the thinner limestones of the northern Pennines. Further studies of this site are important in order to distinguish between the effects of geological structure and glacial excavation of Swaledale. Such distinctions will enhance knowledge of the glacial history of this part of northern England. The Buttertubs demonstrate vadose shafts and are the product of an entirely vadose development within this limestone, with simple vertical shafts descending to the underlying aquiclude and draining rapidly into the adjacent valley.

Plant communities

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa

H7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Scilla verna heath

Salix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Juniperus communis, Ulex europaeus, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Carex serotina, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Selaginella selaginoides, Hypnum cupressiforme, Frullania tamarisci, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia rangiformis, Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Jasione montana, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Silene uniflora, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Astragalus danicus, Genista pilosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Centaurium erythraea, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Dactylorhiza purpurella, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Filipendula vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Chara curta

H8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath, Upland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Ulex gallii heath

Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex pilulifera, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Hypochaeris radicata, Jasione montana, Lotus corniculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Linum catharticum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola lactea, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis vinealis, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pubescens, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara curta

MC1 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Crithmum maritimum-Spergularia rupicola maritime rock-crevice community

Tortella flavovirens, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Inula crithmoides, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium diffusum, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium binervosum, Catapodium marinum, Festuca rubra, Parapholis incurva, Asplenium marinum

MC2 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Armeria maritima-Ligusticum scoticum maritime rock-crevice community

Schistidium maritimum, Ligusticum scoticum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Sedum rosea, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex crispus, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Asplenium marinum

MC3 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Rhodiola rosea-Armeria maritima 36-ledge community

Angelica sylvestris, Ligusticum scoticum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Sedum rosea, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus

MC4 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Brassica oleracea 36-ledge community

Daucus carota, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium arvense, Echium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pilosella officinarum, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tragopogon pratensis, Brassica nigra, Brassica oleracea, Cheiranthus cheiri, Silene nutans, Silene uniflora, Sedum acre, Anthyllis vulneraria, Ononis repens, Teucrium scorodonia, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Potentilla reptans, Galium aparine, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bromus hordeaceous, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Schedonorus arundinaceus

MC5 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum ssp. diffusum maritime therophyte community

Carex flacca, Hypnum cupressiforme, Tortella flavovirens, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia foliacea, Cladonia rangiformis, Collema spp., Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Cirsium acaule, Echium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon saxatilis, Pilosella officinarum, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Myosotis ramosissima, Brassica oleracea, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Diplotaxis muralis, Jasione montana, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Herniaria ciliolata, Sagina apetala, Sagina maritima, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex littoralis, Sedum acre, Sedum anglicum, Euphorbia portlandica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium arvense, Trifolium occidentale, Trifolium repens, Trifolium scabrum, Vicia sativa, Centaurium erythraea, Eriodium cicutarium, Salvia verbenaca, Thymus praecox, Scilla autumnalis, Scilla verna, Radiola linoides, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Veronica arvensis, Armeria maritima, Ranunculus acris, Reseda lutea, Filipendula vulgaris, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium verum, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bromus hordeaceous, Catapodium marinum, Catapodium rigidum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Lolium perenne, Schedonorus arundinaceus

MC6 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Atriplex prostrata-Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima sea-bird cliff community

Daucus carota, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Malva arborea, Plantago coronopus, Armeria maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus, Bromus hordeaceous, Catapodium marinum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra

MC7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Stellaria media-Rumex acetosa sea-bird cliff community

Juncus articulatus, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio vulgaris, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium glomeratum, Silene uniflora, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Sedum anglicum, Trifolium repens, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa annua, Poa pratensis

MC8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Armeria maritima maritime grassland

Carex caryophyllea, Carex distans, Kindbergia praelonga, Tortella flavovirens, Trichostomum brachydontium, Angelica sylvestris, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Ligusticum scoticum, Achillea millefolium, Cirsium arvense, Hypochaeris radicata, Inula crithmoides, Leontodon saxatilis, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Brassica oleracea, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina apetala, Sagina maritima, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Centaurium erythraea, Scilla verna, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Potentilla erecta, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium pinnatum, Catapodium marinum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa subcaerulea

MC9 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus maritime grassland

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Luzula campestris, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Trichostomum brachydontium, Cladonia chlorophaea, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pilosella officinarum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Solidago virgaurea, Cochlearia officinalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina apetala, Silene uniflora, Sedum anglicum, Euphorbia portlandica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Genista tinctoria, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Geranium sanguineum, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla erecta, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Poa pratensis

MG1 — Brownfield, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Arrhenatherum elatius grassland

Hedera helix, Luzula campestris, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Aegopodium podagraria, Anthriscus sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium, Pimpinella major, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Artemisia vulgaris, Carduus nutans, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Campanula rotundifolia, Knautia arvensis, Scabiosa columbaria, Cerastium fontanum, Silene nutans, Stellaria graminea, Convolvulus arvensis, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Vicia sativa, Vicia sepium, Geranium dissectum, Hypericum perforatum, Clinopodium vulgare, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium album, Origanum vulgare, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Linum catharticum, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum, Epipactis purpurata, Rhinanthus minor, Papaver dubium, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Agrimonia eupatoria, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla reptans, Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium verum, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anisantha sterilis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Briza media, Bromopsis erecta, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara vulgaris

MG10 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope, Upland rush pasture

Holcus lanatus-Juncus effusus rush-pasture

Carex hirta, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Oenanthe crocata, Caltha palustris, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Pulicaria dysenterica, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria alsine, Equisetum arvense, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Iris pseudacorus, Mentha aquatica, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Polygonum hydropiper, Rumex acetosa, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Festulolium loliaceum, Glyceria fluitans, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis

MG11 — Brownfield, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Agrostis stolonifera-Potentilla anserina grassland

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex arenaria, Carex distans, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bufonius, Juncus gerardii, Brachythecium rutabulum, Odontites verna, Oenanthe lachenalii, Bellis perennis, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Matricaria discoidea, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio aquaticus, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Honckenya peploides, Sagina procumbens, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla reptans, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Ammophila arenaria, Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromus hordeaceous, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia juncea, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Parapholis strigosa, Phleum pratense, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis

MG12 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca arundinacea grassland

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex distans, Carex nigra, Carex otrubae, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus gerardii, Juncus inflexus, Juncus maritimus, Kindbergia praelonga, Odontites verna, Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe lachenalii, Torilis japonica, Cirsium arvense, Hypochaeris radicata, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus arvensis, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin maritimum, Triglochin palustre, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago maritima, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla anserina, Galium palustre, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phragmites australis, Poa pratensis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis