Environmental histories of grazing and the sustainability of montane ecosystems: a case study in Snowdonia, North Wales

该项目将调查北威尔士埃克塞特道山脉山地石楠的环境历史。这一脆弱的景观被归类为处于不利状况，受到过度放牧和气候变化的影响。有影响力的利益攸关方认为，使放牧制度多样化和增加林地的计划威胁到数百年的耕作传统。这种看法阻碍了为应对生物多样性丧失和高地泥炭退化所需的变革。研究可以提供证据基础，以挑战这些误解，并为今后山区景观可持续管理的决策提供信息。有几个孢粉学研究可用于斯诺登尼亚，与最近的工作表明，植被的空间和时间的变化，可能是由农业实践和气候的变化。考古和历史证据表明，人类在山区环境中耕种的地点和方式各不相同。

The project will investigate the environmental history of montane heath in the Carneddau mountains, North Wales. This fragile landscape is classified as being in an unfavourable condition, affected by over-grazing and climate change. Plans to diversify grazing regimes and increase woodland are perceived by influential stakeholders as threatening centuries-old traditions of farming. This perception inhibits the changes that are needed to counter losses in biodiversity and the degradation of upland peats. Research can provide the evidence-base to challenge these misperceptions and inform decisions about future sustainable management of mountain landscapes. There are few palynological studies available for Snowdonia, with the most recent work indicating spatial and temporal variability in vegetation, probably caused by changes in farming practices and climate. Archaeological and historical evidence points to variation in where and how humans farmed the mountain environment.