Biodiversity in Caves

[TheodoreML]

Hello,
I'm currently an undergrad student who's trying to figure out a dissertation project. So far I've gotten the idea to do it on cave biodiversity. I'm interested in measuring the species richness of Pridhamsleigh Cavern, possibly comparing the richness between warmer and colder seasons. (Or possibly comparing the species richness between mines and caves, or different caves.). I would think such a project would help conservation efforts, as well as build up biodiversity data for these caves/mines.

The thing I'm not too sure on is who I should be asking for permission. Originally I was thinking of taking small water samples, but I'm not sure if Prid is a SSSI (site of scientific special interest) I get two different results online. If I'm not allowed to take samples I'd be happy to just take observational samples. I've sent an email to the Devon and Cornwall Underground Council, but I haven't heard back yet.

Also if anyone has any recommended articles on the topic of cave biodiversity I would be most grateful - I've only come across very few.

Thank you
Theo

 

[mikem]

For that area it's best to speak to:

Home - William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust

Volunteer-run William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust advancing cave studies, conservation and education in Devon since 1962.

pengellytrust.org

 

[LadyMud]

What's the timescale for collecting your data, Theo? Will you have time to compare two seasons (presumably winter and summer)?

 

[Andy C]

Pridhamsleigh Cavern is in a SSSI*, so you would need to obtain permission for sampling from Natural England.

*you can check the status of any cave location on Defra's Magic Map application go to Map Layers - Designations -Land Based Designations - Statutory - SSSIs

 

[aricooperdavis]

Why Prid? It being an SSSI will make your life harder, as will how frequently it's used. How about Clifford's, or one of the smaller less frequented Devon caves?

 

[TheodoreML]

Why Prid? It being an SSSI will make your life harder, as will how frequently it's used. How about Clifford's, or one of the smaller less frequented Devon caves?

Originally I was inspired by "Cave Life in Britian by Lee Knight", which mentioned Prid. Additionally, I haven't heard of many caves around Devon, but its good to know that there are other caves about that aren't SSSI.

 

[TheodoreML]

What's the timescale for collecting your data, Theo? Will you have time to compare two seasons (presumably winter and summer)?

If I can find a cave that isn't SSSI and if my project is approved by my supervisor, I'll be hoping to collect data during 2026 (summer data during my placement year, and then winter data during my final year.

 

[nearlywhite]

Originally I was inspired by "Cave Life in Britian by Lee Knight", which mentioned Prid. Additionally, I haven't heard of many caves around Devon, but its good to know that there are other caves about that aren't SSSI.

Lee is still very active and based very close to Exeter so worth taking to him to see what he suggests.

 

[sjt]

Hello,
I'm currently an undergrad student who's trying to figure out a dissertation project. So far I've gotten the idea to do it on cave biodiversity. I'm interested in measuring the species richness of Pridhamsleigh Cavern, possibly comparing the richness between warmer and colder seasons. (Or possibly comparing the species richness between mines and caves, or different caves.). I would think such a project would help conservation efforts, as well as build up biodiversity data for these caves/mines.

The thing I'm not too sure on is who I should be asking for permission. Originally I was thinking of taking small water samples, but I'm not sure if Prid is a SSSI (site of scientific special interest) I get two different results online. If I'm not allowed to take samples I'd be happy to just take observational samples. I've sent an email to the Devon and Cornwall Underground Council, but I haven't heard back yet.

Also if anyone has any recommended articles on the topic of cave biodiversity I would be most grateful - I've only come across very few.

Thank you
Theo

Surely your project is exactly the kind of scientific interest the scheduling is there to facilitate, and should be encouraged in the interest of monitoring!

I smell bureaucracy.

 

[mrodoc]

Despite some official lines Prid's life has been investigated by all sorts of individuals. If you find another eel I would be interested. And contact Lee as he samples all over the UK and is a bit of an expert on Devon. I suspect any caves with water such as Cliffords might be of interest but of course there are plenty of non aquatic invertebrates to think about and I am no expert.

 

[JoshJSmith]

Hello,
I'm currently an undergrad student who's trying to figure out a dissertation project. So far I've gotten the idea to do it on cave biodiversity. I'm interested in measuring the species richness of Pridhamsleigh Cavern, possibly comparing the richness between warmer and colder seasons. (Or possibly comparing the species richness between mines and caves, or different caves.). I would think such a project would help conservation efforts, as well as build up biodiversity data for these caves/mines.

The thing I'm not too sure on is who I should be asking for permission. Originally I was thinking of taking small water samples, but I'm not sure if Prid is a SSSI (site of scientific special interest) I get two different results online. If I'm not allowed to take samples I'd be happy to just take observational samples. I've sent an email to the Devon and Cornwall Underground Council, but I haven't heard back yet.

Also if anyone has any recommended articles on the topic of cave biodiversity I would be most grateful - I've only come across very few.

Thank you
Theo

Hi Theo,

I'm a bit late to this thread but if you do decide to go ahead with sampling at Prid reach out, I can help with getting permission from NE. Depending on what kind of sampling you plan to do it might well not be necessary to obtain a license etc., but it'll still be a good idea to talk to the local team. Prid in particular is notified in part for the fairy shrimp that's endemic to the area, so your results would be of interest.

I'm also involved with the entomological community in Devon, and there's a few folks who would probably be happy to assist with the ID of more challenging invertebrate groups and would definitely be interested in your results once complete (myself included!).

Cheers,

Josh