Late Quaternary Vegetational History of the North York Moors. VI. The Cleveland Moors

Abstract

Vegetational history of the northern part of the North York Moors is described from the last stage of Late Devensian time through to the later Flandrian period. Following the existence of an open landscape dominated by dwarf-shrub heath during the final part of the Late Devensian, a mosaic of plant communities, including Betula woodland and Empetrum heath, developed in the early Flandrian. The initial forest cover was formed by a Pinus sylvestris- Corylus association, within which there is evidence of minor human disturbance of the vegetation. Human disturbance (probably by Mesolithic man) is also postulated during the deciduous forest period of middle Flandrian age when cleared areas resulted in eroded soil being deposited at one site. Later prehistoric cultures, especially of the Bronze and Iron Ages, whose archaeological remains are frequent, caused further soil erosion; but the activities of these groups were more widespread, leading to marked and lasting ecological changes. Forest reduction seems to have been rather indiscriminate at all times; the regeneration of shrubs and trees was difficult, and mixed agrarian practices were paramount. Some early historic peoples are documented as being effective agronomists and this may be reflected in the pollen spectra, where a continuing increase in Calluna vulgaris heathland is also recorded. Evidence for medieval pastoralism