10/02/25 - Plugging into the North Yorkshire Moors

8th February 2025

Field Research: A Walk Across the Moors

This past Saturday, I finally returned to the North Yorkshire Moors for some long-overdue fieldwork. Back in September, I had buried a roll of 35mm negative film at two sites near Danby. The aim was to observe any potential effects from the electro-active bacteria present in the soil. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect then and I’m still not entirely certain how best to process the film now. Developing it seems the next logical step, but I may need to experiment further.

Beyond unearthing the film, my trip had several other intentions. One was to walk across the moorland and test my earth battery in various locations, each with distinct land characteristics: mossy patches, peat bogs, heather-covered areas, and so on. I was curious to see if the electrical output would vary depending on the soil type or landscape qualities. At each spot, I also collected soil samples to examine back in my studio, where I'll break them down to create experimental chromatographs. My aim is to cross-reference the chromatograph images with the electrical readings from the different soil types.

Another part of the fieldwork involved a more experimental act: burying two types of light-sensitive materials. I had pre-soaked 4x4-inch filter squares and metre-long strips of cotton fabric in a silver nitrate solution. The hope is that these materials will capture some aspect of the soil system at Danby through chemical interactions over time. These buried pieces will form the basis for a yet unknown experiment that ties into my ongoing chromatography work. It will be some time before I unearth these materials to reveal the soils connection to the materials. Fieldwork days like this always offer moments of curiosity and creative unpredictability, and I look forward to seeing how these different elements come together.

To begin, I set out to locate the buried negative film. I'd taken photographs of the burial spots back in September to help me find them. At the first site, I couldn’t find any trace of the film and I believe nature may have reclaimed it. However, at the second location, nestled beneath leaves and twigs, I was surprised to see part of the negative sticking out of the ground. I carefully unearthed it and placed it into a dark bag. Although the film was likely exposed to light during retrieval, I don’t expect that to be a problem given the time it spent underground. With all my digs, I made sure to restore the site to its original state. I always prioritise environmental care and responsible land management in my fieldwork.

With at least one negative film strip successfully recovered, I made my way toward a spot near Danby Beacon, about 200 metres away, well clear of any tourists. Although I’ve come to appreciate the solitude of walking in remote landscapes, I’ve realised that traces of human presence inevitably find their way into my field research. That said, I still prefer to avoid areas known for frequent visitors.

Once I parked up, I laced up my boots, grabbed my bag, and set off northward across the scorched heather land, taking in the landscape as I walked.

Not far into my walk, I was struck by the contrast between the burnt heatherland and the surrounding bracken, lichen, grass, and rocky moorland. The blackened heather stood like dark veins reaching skyward, with hints of orange and yellow scorched within, creating a beautifully surreal landscape. Heather moorland in the Yorkshire Moors is one of the largest coverings of its kind in England and Wales, and it’s said that there’s now less heatherland globally than tropical rainforests, making it a rare and precious habitat. Landowners often manage it through prescribed burning, as ageing heather becomes less nutritious. Controlled burns help stimulate regenerative growth, providing essential nutrients for wildlife. Known as muirburn, rotational burning, or managed burning, this practice involves quick, controlled fires that remove the heather canopy without damaging the underlying peat or soil, following traditional laws and codes of practice.

Across from the burnt heather stretched a grassland interspersed with rocky outcrops, gentle dips in the earth, and patches of moss and lichen. The ground had a springy, sponge-like quality, giving a soft bounce with each step. The vibrant green tones of the grassland caught my attention, and I decided it was a good place for my first soil reading. Inserting the cathode and anode into the ground, the meter displayed a reading of 0.978 volts, just shy of 1V. This indicated an active landscape with a higher than usual energy output compared to other sites I’ve tested. I opted not to take a sample here and instead headed northwest, further into the springy grass and rocky terrain, leaving the heather land behind.

Position #2 was a small, steep, oval shaped depression where rocks had slid into place and remained undisturbed for years. The inner slopes had small pockets that suggested wildlife activity. I carefully examined the area and took another meter reading, which registered 0.917 volts, a slightly lower reading than at Position #1 but still a clear indication of energy within the soil.

As part of my fieldwork, I intended to collect soil samples and bury light-sensitive materials at specific sites. After taking the soil reading, I made a small incision into the slope where only soil was present and placed a filter sheet inside, sealing it with fresh soil. I then created a larger opening to bury one of my pre-coated cotton sheets. Due to its length, I couldn't lay it flat, so I carefully curled it into place before covering it with soil and patting it down securely.

After a bit of a scramble up the slope to avoid the fate of the fallen rocks below, I continued westward across the grassland. Bracken was becoming more prominent, and the landscape undulated with mounds and dips. The horizon was starting to drop, revealing agricultural fields stretching across the land ahead.

It was at this point I encountered another walker, an older man who spotted my small garden shovel and called out, "Doing a spot of gardening, are we?" I laughed, amused by his comment. This wasn't my first encounter with a curious passerby; I was reminded of my Merrick walk and the fish and chip shop anecdote. We chatted briefly, and he was mostly curious about what I was up to. After I explained, he jokingly asked what drugs I’d been taking, which made me laugh again. He did say it was fascinating and promised to look into it further.

Moving on, I positioned myself on the opposite side of the previous delve and plugged into a grassy mound to see if the ground's elevation would affect the reading. The meter displayed 0.906 volts, a lower reading than Position #2. Despite the decrease, it remained an active site. The drop in electro-active bacterial energy intrigued me, could the upland position be reducing nutrient availability in the soil, thereby affecting bacterial activity?

I documented the reading and made two incisions in the soil, placing a small filter sheet in one and a pre-coated cotton fabric strip in the other. After marking the location on my map, I began descending the grassland slope, ready to explore further.

As the landscape began to shift, the springy, sponge-like ground became wetter and more absorbent, turning boggy underfoot. Peat bogs crept in, accompanied by dense bracken that camouflaged hidden pockets of water. I had to tread carefully, not only to avoid slipping but also to watch for wildlife nestled within the foliage. Red grouse and pheasants inhabited these parts, and more than once, a pheasant would suddenly take flight, startling me out of my wits.

Navigating through this moorland became increasingly challenging due to the uneven terrain and wet conditions. The saturated ground made it difficult to find stable footing as I tried to make my way downhill toward a small forestry area with a stream. In such situations, I find it best to pause, observe the landscape, and search for any natural clearings or wildlife trails. Animals often carve narrow paths through the bracken, and if spotted, these can lead for several hundred feet, offering a manageable route.

Emerging from the bracken, I reached a downward stream embedded into the slope, framed by trees bent at abstract angles. The soil along the slope's edge was soft and pliable, making it easy to dig and handle. This became Position #4 for my readings, and the meter displayed 0.930 volts, a noticeable increase from Position #3. I wondered whether my theory was correct: could lower terrain be more energetically active than higher ground? While this single reading didn’t provide conclusive evidence, it was certainly something to consider.

After recording the reading, I dug into the soil, setting aside the top brown layer to reveal a firmer, clay-like base. I placed a small filter sheet and a pre-coated cotton sheet into the opening, then covered them with the unearthed soil, compacting it securely before moving on.

Continuing southward from the stream, I navigated across the slope, avoiding agricultural boundaries designed to limit wildlife movement. While the land was open for walkers, complete with fence steps to cross into adjacent areas, the shift in terrain was becoming increasingly evident. Being at a lower point on the moors meant the landscape had accumulated significant moisture, turning the soil into long stretches of peat bog. Nearly every step sank into wet, messy ground. Traversing through it was both challenging and enjoyable (part of the adventure).

After crossing a fence and reaching a connecting stream, I found a narrow spot to leap across and made my way into a small patch of forestry. The ground here was even more boggy, with soil that had a fluid, sludgy consistency, splashing over my boots and trousers as I trudged through.

The forested area was alive with lichen and moss clinging to rocky outcrops and tree bark. Fungal elements thrived in this rich, vibrant environment, their presence practically radiating life and energy. I briefly considered setting up my meter to take a reading but decided against it, mindful of the delicate nature of these symbiotic lifeforms. Perhaps next time I encounter such an abundance of lichen, I'll use my small crocodile clips to connect without causing any harm.

With such a vibrant presence of lichen and moss, I was confident the soil would be rich in exoelectrogens and micro-organisms. After carefully navigating across a fallen tree trunk spanning a wide stream, I found myself in an expansive peat bog. This became Position #5 for my readings. I inserted the cathode and anode, and the meter displayed 1.008 volts, the highest reading of the day. A full volt and then some, indicating a highly electro-active environment.

As I had anticipated, the presence of fungal materials correlated with rich soil activity. I collected a sample and buried my materials in the earth. This surge in electrical output was exciting, sparking several questions: Does lowland terrain, sheltered from harsher conditions, foster more active soils? Are moist soils naturally richer in nutrients? And does the presence of moss and lichen, as symbiotic fungi, contribute to a more electro-active soil system, possibly integrating into the broader mycelial network? These are ideas worth exploring further.

With my samples collected, materials buried, and soil readings complete, I began the walk back to my car. I was eager to return home and reflect on the findings from the day. Since that walk, I've broken down the soil into a solution in preparation for creating soil chromatography. I'll share a detailed write up of that process in an upcoming post.

• Woodland Trust. (unknown). Heatherland & Moorland. [Online]. Woodland Trust. Available at: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/habitats/heathland-and-moorland/ [Accessed 10 February 2025].

  
  

• Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. (2016). Heather Burning. [Online]. Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. Available at: https://www.gwct.org.uk/policy/briefings/driven-grouse-shooting/heather-burning/ [Accessed 10 February 2025].

  
  

• Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. (Unknown). Species. [Online]. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Available at: https://www.ywt.org.uk/wildlife-explorer/birds/grouse-partridges-pheasant-and-quail [Accessed 10 February 2025].