|
Nature in Our
Valley
Geology
The valley is
cut into gritstone but limestone is very close to the
surface at the bottom of the valley. As the river crosses
the different hardness bands of gritstone sections of valley
have formed as gorges or wide sections. The river is guided
by a geological fault line running along the valley floor
from New Mills to Marple Bridge and resulting in the very
steep west side to the valley and easier sloped east side.
The displacement is some 150 meters.
Flora
The flora of
the valley varies greatly from deciduous woodland to open
meadows. The floor of the valley has many areas of marshland
with a large variety of water loving plants. The drier sandy
areas support a different array of plants including gorse
and primrose.
Fauna
Animal life
is varied with the usual rabbits, fox and badger. Somewhat
more unusual inhabitants are mink and also a small group of Roe Deer
that wander the valley but are rarely seen. At
Roman Lakes a large variety of both water fowl and other
birds can be seen. Herons fish all day long both in the
river and the Lakes. Bats and owls are also common in the
area.
THINGS TO DO IN THE
COUNTRYSIDE
Articles to
download and print from the BBC Series Breathing Places -
 |
