Buckfastleigh Caves

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 50.4848, -3.7750

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Also within

Devon County DARTMOOR National Park

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (1) Favourable (4)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SX741665 — Unfavourable Recovering 15.86 2014-03-19
SX741667 — Favourable 4.67 2014-03-19
SX743662 — Favourable 1.01 2014-03-19
SX743663 — Favourable 4.58 2014-03-20
SX743664 — Favourable 0.09 2014-03-19

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Cave / Cavern · Geological Period: Quaternary · Rock Type: Limestone

Landscape processes: Glacial, Karst

Description

Buckfastleigh Caves SSSI Description Buckfastleigh Caves are an excellent example of cave formation during the Pleistocene period, and are one of Britain’s outstanding locations for Pleistocene mammals. The cave waters are important for an aquatic crustacean, and the site supports both winter and breeding roosts of a rare bat. The site is one of three networks of cave passages in separate limestone outcrops around Buckfastleigh. Detailed study has shown that the three networks developed over the same timespan during the late Pleistocene period of Geological history about 150,000 years ago. Furthermore, stages in the development of the caves can be related to the stages in the development of the River Dart. Accumulations of debris washed into the caves during their formation contain important fossil remains which give an indication of the age of the caves. The caves also contain important and spectacular mineral deposits. The wide range of important features found within these caves makes this a most valuable site for the study of late Pleistocene cave formation. Joint Mitnor Cave has yielded the richest known fossiliferous assemblage of Ipswichian Interglacial age in Britain, and extensive fossiliferous deposits remain in situ. The fauna includes hippopotamus, straight-tusked elephant, wild boar, fallow deer, spotted hyena, lion, and small mammals. Abundant in the cave waters is the endemic crustacean Niphargellus glenniei, an animal thought to be a pre-glacial relict. The caves also provide an important winter roost site for a large colony of the rare and endangered greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, while the nearby buildings support nursery roosts during the summer months.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum LC bat vespertillonidae
crustacean Niphargellus glenniei Not listed in GB list crustacean niphargidae

Plant communities

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

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