Exmoor (Collins New Naturalist Library)

(Hardback)

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Description

Exmoor is one of only three large moorlands in southern England. Together with Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, they have long been an inspiration for field naturalists of all descriptions. It seems appropriate, therefore, that this volume should bring the inspiration and the particularities of place together and allow the landscape of Exmoor to shine.

Exmoors landscape shares many qualities with moorlands elsewhere and large parts may not be particularly distinctive. As much as two-fifths of Exmoor is moorland, eciduous woodland or unfarmable coastal slopes, but the majority is pastoral farmland. However, it is in the juxtaposition of these habitats, and the edge-zones and transitions, that there is both charm and scientific interest to be derived. Exmoors pattern and combination of vegetation types give it significance, with a disposition of low- and higher-altitude communities. And in hidden corners and combes off the main plateau, on the steepest slopes and on very wet ground, a diverse ancient landscape survives, and we find rich hedges providing some linear habitats. In addition are the stunning coastal woods. Its position as an upland massif on the western seaboard also gives it a distinctiveness.

As someone actively involved with the environment of the southwest, Flemming Ulf-Hansen now provides us with a scholarly yet accessible volume on this fabulous area.

The new volume in acclaimed New Naturalist Library

Reviews

Praise for a previous title in the series

Trees by Peter Thomas

Never less than interesting, it is written in non-technical language that is consistently illuminating New Scientist

Excellent Bulletin of the British Ecological Society

A valuable, enjoyable addition to the literature Times Higher Education Supplement

If trees have always fascinated you and if you have any trees in your

guardianship, read this book. Even a quick skimming of its pages will

enlighten you and make you curious to know more Gardens Illustrated

A pleasure to read. I will order it for my forest ecology class

David Greene, The Quarterly Review of Biology

Author Bio

Flemming Ulf-Hansen is an ecologist living in Somerset, who graduated from the University of Bradford and gained a masters degree from the University of Western Ontario. His doctorate was on the ecology and evolution of grass weeds from the University of Liverpool. He joined the Nature Conservancy Council in 1988 and has nearly 37 years of experience of conserving protected sites and wildlife, mainly on Exmoor but more recently Salisbury Plain. Particularly interested in ecological restoration and working closely with farmers and land-owners, he was involved in peatland restoration, chairing the Exmoor Mires Project through its formative stages. He was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2010 to study the ecosystem approach to habitat restoration. In his work he has also been involved in the management of grasslands, woodlands and heathlands, as well as invasive species control developing a healthy loathing for rhododendron and Montbretia.