Long-term development of a cultural landscape: the origins and dynamics of lowland heathland in southern England

摘要: The lowland heathlands of southern England comprise ca. 14 % the total area this habitat in Europe yet their history is poorly understood. This paper presents first detailed palaeoecological evidence (combining palynological, microscopic charcoal and radiocarbon data) relating to origin long-term dynamics heathland vegetation England. Valley peat sites, situated on Lower Greensand Group (coarse-grained sandstones) at Conford (Hampshire) Hurston Warren (West Sussex) have been investigated. sequence from indicates unusually late survival Pinus sylvestris (to as 6050 cal. b.p.) attributed edaphic factors and, after 7050 b.p., frequent fires. After intervening phases dominance by deciduous woodland, became established proximity both sites Late Bronze Age (ca. 3000 with increases indicators grazing burning demonstrating an association between development human activity. Thereafter, pollen records show that remained a dynamic state scale nature activity varied through time. Major expansions extent occurred relatively recently; 1450 b.p. 850 Conford. A review suggests most intense use greatest coverage probably during medieval post-medieval periods.