Green and Pleasant Land

The Myth of the Natural Habitat

It is a common misconception that the British countryside is a "natural" wilderness. In reality, not one square inch of our land has remained untouched by human activity. While some habitats appear ancient—such as Iron Age forts that have remained largely unchanged for over 2,000 years—the landscape we see today is the result of thousands of years of human management.

The Two Pillars of Habitat Formation

The specific characteristics of our environment are determined by two primary factors:

1. Human Intervention: Continuous management over time is key to maintaining current biodiversity.

2. Underlying Geology: The soil type dictates what grows; for example, vegetation on calcareous chalk soil differs significantly from that on acidic heathland.

A Historical Timeline of the British Landscape

1. From Ice Age to 'Wild Wood'

Thousands of years ago, the last Ice Age destroyed existing habitats across most of Britain. As the ice retreated, a natural process of regeneration occurred, covering nearly the entire landmass in a dense forest known as the 'wild wood'.

2. The Neolithic & Iron Age Revolution (c. 3000 BC)

The shift from hunter-gatherer societies to farming marked the first major transformation. Neolithic humans began clearing the 'wild wood' for:

• Fuel and building materials.

• Space for crops and livestock.

• Defensive structures, such as the Iron Age forts still visible in Devon and Dorset today.

3. The Invaders and "Non-Native" Species

Successive waves of Roman and Norman invaders fundamentally changed land management. They introduced species we often mistakenly view as native, including deer, rabbits, and pheasants.

• The Archaeophyte Age: Generally, plants and animals present before 1492 (the voyage of Columbus) are considered indigenous.

4. The Enclosure Acts (1605–1914)

Over 5,200 parliamentary acts transformed land ownership. This era created the modern "patchwork" look of the countryside:

• Hedgerows were established to form field boundaries.

• Common land was privatised, forcing self-sufficient peasants to move to industrial cities.

5. The Agricultural & Industrial Revolution

The 1701 invention of Jethro Tull’s steam-powered seed drill began a move toward mechanisation. Simultaneously, the growth of the British Empire sparked a passion for exotic gardens, leading to the introduction of "problem species" like grey squirrels, sika deer, and Canada geese.

The 20th Century: Crisis and Conservation

War and Urbanisation

Global events in the mid-1900s put unprecedented pressure on the land:

• Dig for Victory: WWII forced the cultivation of previously unfarmed acres to prevent food shortages.

• Economic Boom: The 1950s and 60s saw vast tracts of countryside lost to housing, motorways, and mineral extraction.

The Rise of the Nature Reserve

In response to the dramatic loss of habitat between 1939 and 1959, the concept of the 'nature reserve' was born. Organisations like the Wildlife Trusts emerged to protect the remaining fragments of biodiversity.

Key Takeaway: Without active human management, most of our established habitats would revert to woodland. Today, management is essential to correct past mistakes and navigate new pressures like climate change.