The simplest project (on Kinder Scout) involved only the limiting of sheep grazing. This resulted in a reduction of bare ground; an increase in cover and of flowering in wavy hair-grass, heather and bilberry; and an increase in the numbers of red grouse.
Successful revegetation took place on Burbage Moor where a bare area had been created by an accidental summer fire. Here, sheep were not removed but heather seed was spread using a muck-spreader. After 6 years, 54% of the bare area was covered with heather.

Experimental erosion control near Kinder Scout

On trampled areas around Snake Summit, transplants of crowberry, hare’s tail cotton-grass, wavy hair-grass and mat grass were used. Fertiliser and lime were added to combat the acidity of the bare peat. Survival was good for the grasses.

A complicated trial in Kinderlow, involved excluding grazing (on part of the area) and the application of lime, fertiliser, grass seed and heather seed. Best results were found on gentle slopes with mineral soils where grazing was excluded.
Practical restoration work has taken place on Holme Moss where the area was treated first with a mechanical application of fertiliser, lime and grass seed (to provide a nurse crop of grass which would stabilise the bare ground). Heather, crowberry, bilberry and cotton grass were added later. On some areas of deep, mobile peat the grass seed was applied onto a woven mesh, laid directly on the bare peat.

Trials at the different sites have shown that eroded areas of moorland can be revegetated by

1. Reducing grazing pressure - or removing entirely (where there is still some vegetation)

2. Mechanised spreading of heather and wavy hair-grass seed using agricultural machinery (on large bare areas)

3. Planting a nurse crop of grass (bents and fescues), on the worst areas of bare peat

4. Using netting to stabilise very mobile deep peat, while a nurse crop is established.

Avoiding Erosion

The main aim now is to avoid further erosion:-

• Damage from fires can be limited by good fire-fighting plans and by making firebreaks (cutting wide paths through the heather) to stop the spread of any accidental fires. Publicity to make people aware of the risk from discarded cigarette ends is also very important. Preventing grazing of any burnt area for 2 or 3 years can encourage recovery.
  
• Through the establishment of the North Peak Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) in 1988, and an ESA in the South West Peak in 1992, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF) gives financial support to farmers managing their land in ways which conserve and restore moorland. Reduction of grazing levels is a main feature of the ESA.
  
  

Footpath Erosion

Footpath Erosion has become more of a problem in recent years due to the increased popularity of walking and other countryside activities - including mountain biking. Greater pressure on the popular paths and the fragile nature of the ground they pass over, has led to a number of problems. However this does only affect a fairly small number of upland paths; the majority of the 2,000 miles of public rights of way within the National Park are free from the problems of erosion.

The worst erosion occurs where the footpath is on wet land (especially on deep peat) or by a river bank. Many footpaths through popular honeypot sites have become seriously eroded.

The Winnats Pass is a spectacular limestone gorge not far from the village of Castleton. It is a popular tourist attraction as well as carrying the only road beyond the village (the road past Mam Tor has been closed by a landslip). The vegetation cover around the footpaths through the pass was monitored during the 1970’s and areas at risk of erosion were identified. 40% of the area of the pass was found to be at risk since the vegetation cover is both delicate and damaged. The south facing side of the pass (near Speedwell car park) suffers the heaviest use and the lower slopes in particular have deteriorated.