Scientific Evaluation of Ilkley Tarn

The Friends of Ilkley Moor are embarking on an ambitious programme to revitalise Ilkley Tarn and to restore it as a nature rich place.

In the past, Ilkley Tarn was a major breeding site for amphibians. We believe that 50 years ago sticklebacks and invertebrate life also flourished. Now, owing to the large number of ducks, Ilkley Tarn is polluted and largely devoid of other life. As a first step in restoring the Tarn, FoIM is undertaking a thorough scientific evaluation under the supervision of Prof Rick Battarbee, FRS, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Change at University College London.

Together with Dr John Boyle of Liverpool University and the consultants Goldsmith Ecology, a bathymetric survey of the Tarn has been undertaken (to create water and sediment depth maps to accurately calculate the total volumes of water and sediment in the Tarn). A hydrological monitoring programme has also been set up to track flows in and out of the Tarn.

Water samples have been taken for chemical and microbiological analysis. A survey to see whether any submerged vegetation has survived the depredations of the ducks has been undertaken. Surface sediment samples have been taken to find out whether any invertebrate life is present. And finally, sediment cores have been taken where mud has accumulated over the last 150 years to assess whether there is any fossil evidence to indicate what plant and animal life existed in the Tarn before the current period of duck pollution started.

A brief scientific survey of the Upper Tarn has also been carried out. It is smaller and at a higher elevation than the Tarn but nevertheless provides a potential control site as few or no ducks are present there.

FoIM is excited to be able to commission a serious scientific evaluation of the Tarn. FoIM hopes that when all the samples have been evaluated we will be able to draw up a proper plan to restore the Tarn as a thriving wildlife pond. Owen Wells, Chair of the Friends of Ilkley Moor said “Ilkley Moor is now the largest part of the new Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve and it is only right that Ilkley Tarn should be an example of how nature can be restored and take pride of place in the new Nature Reserve.”