HILL SOILS AND GRASSLANDS IN BRECKNOCKSHIRE: A STUDY OF POTENTIAL LAND USE

Abstract

The present and potential land use of rough hill pastures in Brecknockshire has been investigated. The interests of the Brecon Beacons National Park, reservoir, Forestry Commission and commonland need not compete, but could be complementary. Areas containing a high proportion of the podzolized soils carry the most nutritious pastures, rich in Agrostis and Vaccinium, and agreement amongst the commoners could ensure they are grazed to the limit of their productivity. In the absence of afforestation, the grazing of superior pastures around the peaks of the Fforest Fawr‐Brecon Beacons range is consistent with the interests of both the National Park and reservoir authorities, although the erosion hazard is greater. The S. and E. directed spurs of Drygarn, the N. E. plateau of Mynydd Eppynt and the S. W. flanks of the Black Mountains have similarly productive hill pastures. Areas such as the long back‐slopes of the Fforest Fawr‐Brecon Beacons range and higher land of Drygarn contain a high proportion of peaty gleyed soils under Molinetum, They provide inferior grazing but support the most productive forests, chiefly of Sitka spruce. By agreement amongst the commoners, where they are known, these areas could be leased to the Forestry Commission for afforestation. However, because common rights are so obscure, prior legislation would probably be necessary. Until their recent destruction, the uplands supported woodland and afforestation of selected areas need not be regarded as incongruous. It would also open up otherwise inaccessible places.