The West Cornish Heath: Landscape Studies in Southwest England

Author(s): Emily Forster, Zoë Hazell, David Robinson, V Straker

Five sites in West Cornwall were sampled for pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating in order to investigate the long-term development of vegetation in the region, particularly that of the Cornish heathlands. Pollen data indicate that heathland taxa - notably Erica ciliaris-type, which includes Erica vagans (Cornish heath) - were present in Carnmenellis (Lower Lancarrow) as early as the late-glacial period, and in West Penwith (Treen Common) from at least the early Neolithic. The data from both sites suggest that Erica ciliaris-type was formerly more prevalent than the now ubiquitous Erica tetralix (crossleaved heath).

Report Number:
53/2011
Series:
Research Department Reports
Pages:
46
Keywords:
Environmental Monitoring Landscape Park Pollen Prehistoric

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