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