The Traditional Management of European Heathlands

Throughout western Europe heathlands dominated by ericaceous subshrubs occur on poor soils. Mostly, these heaths have developed and have been maintained by human activities. Traditional management has perpetuated ecosystems of a low nutrient status in which plant succession is arrested. Traditional...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied ecology 1998-12, Vol.35 (6), p.987-990
Main Author: Webb, N. R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Calluna vulgaris
conservation
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
cultural landscape
Cultural landscapes
Forest soils
Forum Papers: Biodiversity and High-Nature-Value Farming
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General agroecology
General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping
General agronomy. Plant production
General aspects
Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development
Grazing management
heathland
Heathlands
management
Nutrient management
Pastures
Sustainable agriculture
Vegetation
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Summary:Throughout western Europe heathlands dominated by ericaceous subshrubs occur on poor soils. Mostly, these heaths have developed and have been maintained by human activities. Traditional management has perpetuated ecosystems of a low nutrient status in which plant succession is arrested. Traditional management has involved a complex interaction between grazing, arable cultivation and the use of turf and plant material from the heaths. This basic system occurs throughout the European heathlands but with local variants. This paper reviews and compares the various systems of heathland use and management with the aim of developing new methods to maintain these cultural landscapes.
ISSN:0021-8901
1365-2664
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2664.1998.tb00020.x