Scottish vegetation history: The Highlands.

Huntley, B.; Daniell, J.R.G.; Allen, J.R.M.

Abstract

Pollen analytical, plant macrofossil and dendrochronological evidence together are used to reconstruct the late-glacial and Holocene vegetation history of the Highlands of Scotland. During the late-glacial period trees were almost, if not entirely, absent from the Highlands; vegetation analogous to that of Arctic regions of Europe today was present throughout the region. During the Holocene, in contrast, forest cover was extensive, with tree lines higher up the mountains and pine forests present even in the far northern Highlands during one millennium or so of especially favourable conditions with warmer, and sometimes drier, summers than today. During recent millennia the climate has been more similar to that of the present and the Highland vegetation was a mosaic of communities similar to that which we can find today in parts of western Scandinavia. During recent centuries extensive logging and deforestation, along with intensified grazing and management, have resulted in the present predominantly treeless landscapes. Appropriate conservation management, informed by palaeoecological record, may enable some areas to once again achieve their ecological potential, but only if allowed by other external human pressures.

Citation

Huntley, B., Daniell, J., & Allen, J. (1997). Scottish vegetation history: The Highlands. Botanical journal of Scotland, 49(2), 163-175. https://doi.org/10.1080/03746609708684864

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 1997-01
• Journal: Botanical journal of Scotland
• Print ISSN: 1359-4869
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 163-175
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03746609708684864
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1566982