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Kinder Scout National Nature Reserve

Owned and managed by the National Trust, Kinder Scout comprises around 700 hectares of various upland habitats, including blanket bog and sub-alpine dwarf shrub heath. Going forward, assessments will be made of the potential to restore damaged habitat areas, including the regeneration of bog mosses, which are fundamental to the long-term process of peat creation and carbon storage.

The site is an important resource for research and demonstration into the processes of restoration. Kinder has long been used to adopt and demonstrate pioneering techniques for restoration and management of the fragile upland peat environment, including ways to slow - and if possible reverse - the loss of carbon and to improve water catchment. The restoration of the "sideland" vegetation is one of the best and most successful examples of its kind in the country. The site is currently the subject of several major research projects on habitat restoration and will continue to provide opportunities for such research in the future.

Kinder Scout is an important example of the impact of human activities, notably air pollution and over-grazing, on natural ecosystems. Though the ecosystem is now recovering, these destructive processes have been well documented over an unusually long period of time. Observations and related research undertaken at Kinder throws much light on man-induced erosion processes generally and have helped in recognising similar erosion trends elsewhere in upland Britain.

Wildlife highlights: Kinder Scout supports several upland breeding birds, notably species of birds of prey, red grouse, golden plover, twite and waders such as curlew and ring ouzel. Mountain hares also thive here.

Location and Access: Lying between Manchester, Sheffield and Buxton, Kinder Scout can be accesses from several sides. From Hayfield on the A624, from the A57 or the Valley of Edale

These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.