Sections B10-B12

Condition and Threat Recording

Condition & Threat Recording

Why record condition and threat?

• Benchmark for monitoring change• Basis for research and analysis of causes of change

and deterioration• Informing future management strategies• Identifying panels which are at risk• Assessment of sites suitable for enhanced public

access• Standardised data are essential!

What is ‘Condition’?The extent to which natural, animal and human agents have affected the current state of the rock surface and the carvings

What is ‘Threat’?Current and potential risks to which the rock surface and carvings are exposed which might impact on their future condition

What is the difference between Condition and Threat?‘Threat’ is something on-going or something that may affect the rock art in the future, whereas ‘condition’ refers to something that has already affected the rock art.

Condition & Threat Recording

Recording current condition (B10)

Condition of rock surface and carvings is affected by:

• Physical and chemical weathering

• Biological agents

• Animal and human impact

Physical/chemical weathering

Physical/chemical weathering: Planar erosion

Physical/chemical weathering: Cratering and pitting

Physical/chemical weathering: Burnt areas

Biological Agents

Biological agents: moss and detritus

Biological agents: algae

Biological agents: grass/turf patches

Animal and human impacts

Animal and human impact: wear (rubbing/trampling)

Animal and human impact: graffiti

Animal and human impact: quarrying

3. Animal/human impact: Breaking and quarrying

Animal/human impact: quarrying

Exposed rock surface Exposed carved area

Impact type

Approximately what extent of the total exposed rock surface (including the carved area) is affected?

Approximately what extent of the total exposed carved area is affected?

How do we record Condition?

Assessing Condition

Total exposed area of rock surface

Rock surface

Lichens (crustose)<1/3

Lichens (foliose)=0

Algae<1/3

Carved area

Lichens (crustose)<1/3

Lichens (foliose)=0

Algae>2/3

Assessing Condition

Total rock surface

Grass/turf patches<1/3

Detritus<1/3

Droppings<1/3

Total carved area

Grass/turf patches=1/3-2/3

Detritus<1/3

Droppings<1/3

Recording Potential Threats (B12)

Physical/chemical threats: Water flow and water pooling

Is the rock surface at risk from flowing or pooling water?

POTENTIAL THREAT

Physical/chemical threats: prevailing weather

Is the panel is inclined and facing the prevailing weather in an exposed location?

POTENTIAL THREAT

Biological threats

• Lichens, mosses and algae are all physically attached to the rock surface and weaken the structure of the rock

• Lichens may help protect the rock surface from physical and chemical weathering, but may obscure the carvings

• Mosses and algae retain water and are more harmful than lichen

Biological threats: tree canopy

Is the rock situated under trees?

POTENTIAL THREAT

Biological threats: roots

Is the rock likely to be affected by tree or shrub roots?

POTENTIAL THREAT

Biological threats: detritus

Is decaying vegetation likely to accumulate on the rock surface?

POTENTIAL THREAT

Human and animal threats

• Do stock and/or game animals have easy access to the rock surface?

•Is there anything that might attract stock or game animals to the rock?

•What sort of stock animals are they?

Human and animal threats : land management

Will the rock be affected by ploughing, heather burning, quartz granule scatters, clearance, tree felling, feeder bins, heavy vehicles or other land management activities?

POTENTIAL THREAT

Human and animal threats: people

Is the rock located somewhere easily accessible to people?

POTENTIAL THREAT

Potential ThreatsHow severe is the threat to the rock surface and carvings on a scale of 0-3 (0=no threat, 3=severe threat)?

Type of threat

Assessing severity of threat

Total exposed area of rock surface

Water pooling=slight=1

Lichens=slight=1

Algae=moderate=2

Stock animals=1

Game animals=1

Land management=1

People=1

Assessing severity of threat

Water pooling=2

Detritus=1

Stock animals=3

Land management=2

People=1

B11. Condition & Threat notes

Use this section of the form to summarise and contextualise your observations on condition and threat