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Carneddau山脉山地健康的环境历史。受过度放牧和气候变化的影响，这片脆弱的景观被列为不利条件。有影响力的利益相关者认为，放牧制度多样化和增加林地面积的计划威胁到数百年的农业传统。这种看法阻碍了应对生物多样性丧失和旱地泥炭退化所需的变化。研究可以为挑战这些误解提供证据基础，并为未来山区景观可持续管理的决策提供信息。关于斯诺登尼亚的孢粉学研究很少，最近的研究表明，植被的时空变化可能是由耕作方式和气候的变化引起的。考古和历史证据表明，人类在山区环境中耕作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.