Low Force waterfall, Teesdale.
Protecting geological heritage
2 November 2009
The UK is literally full of geology - so much so that many names of geological periods come from names of regions of the country. The most well-known being the Devonian (after Devon) and the Cambrian (the old name for Wales).
In a bid to protect this geological heritage, or geodiversity, geologists have helped set up seven geoparks in the UK, all with the same aims: to preserve geodiversity and promote sustainable development.
Richard Hollingham visits the stunning North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) European Geopark where he meets ex-British Geological Survey geologist, Dr Elizabeth Pickett among waterfalls and golden-leaved trees.
The Marble Arch Caves Geopark, Northern Ireland.
Elizabeth, now geodiversity officer with the North Pennines AONB Partnership, explains what on Earth a geopark is and why this particular region has been designated one. It turns out the area has a special geological feature called the Whin Sill. It was once molten rock, but now forms dramatic landscape features from the Farne Islands in Northumberland right down to Teesdale in County Durham.
On his tour of the country, Richard also goes to the March Arch Caves European Geopark in Northern Ireland to talk to another geodiversity officer, Dr Kirsten Lemon. In a cavern the size of a school classroom, Kirsten tells Richard what's special about this region.
We hear how scientists have settled a long-standing argument over whether or not Snowy plovers and Kentish plovers are in fact the same species. You'll have to listen to find out who's right. And, from why bioenergy might not be the best alternative to fossil fuels, to a story about beetles that will resonate with anyone who's got kids.
Finally, Sue Nelson visits Karen Varnham from the University of Bristol in the Outer Hebrides to find out why hedgehogs are causing such a stir.
As always, download and then tell us what you think. You can email us at editors@nerc.ac.uk or if you're on Facebook or Twitter, comment there - see the link below.
Interesting? Spread the word using the 'tools' menu on the right.
