Lessons from the past for the future of the uplands

Dr Althea Davies, University of Stirling (Email)
 
Dr Davies is interested in finding out how knowledge about the way landscapes have been formed historically might influence how those who inhabit or visit those areas today appreciate them.  She will be using a range of different kinds of evidence, including historical records, archaeology and environmental data, such as pollen preserved in bogs, to trace changes in the upland landscapes of the Peak District and Sutherland over the past 500 years.  Upland areas of this kind continue to be under pressure.  Agriculture, climate change, tourism and other demands all affect the landscape and the plants and animals that live there.  More sensitive species tend to suffer – for example heather began to decline in some areas 200-500 years ago.  If these kinds of changes can be traced, it will give a much longer-term perspective which can help us to understand the processes at work and to ensure that the upland ecosystem and rural communities are better able to adapt to future change.  Dr Davies will be using techniques developed by economists to help assess people’s values regarding landscape change or conservation.  These methods will be used to assess how information from the past affects their preferences for the future.