Changes on the Heathlands of Dorset, England, between 1978 and 1987

• Published in: Biological conservation 1990, Vol.51 (4), p.273-286
• Main Author: Webb, N.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; ecological surveys; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; heathlands; land use; mapping; surveys; topography; vegetation types
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/0006-3207(90)90113-4

In 1987 the vegetation, topography and land use on the heathlands of Dorset (an area of southern England) were surveyed to a specification identical to that used in a survey in 1978. The new study showed that the area surveyed in 1978 had decreased by 425 ha (5%) and that the principal causes of this loss were conversion of the farmland (46%) and development (50%). Changes in the composition of the heathland vegetation over nine years were assessed. The most significant trend was a 15% increase in the area of scrub and woody vegetation. Some areas were identified where heathland had developed since 1978. The results of the survey are discussed in relation to the conservation problems affecting these heaths and in the context of conducting large-scale ecological surveys.