Long-term vegetation change in the Western and Northern Isles, Scotland

Abstract

Summary The available palaeoecological evidence for vegetation change in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland is reviewed in the light of hypotheses concerning the status of blanket mire landscapes. All three island groups supported woodland during the early Holocene (11,000–5000 yr ago), with a richer tree flora than today. Blanket mire development began approximately 5000 yr ago, accelerated by the arrival of Neolithic people and grazing animals. It is therefore probably largely anthropogenic in origin. The pattern of vegetation change on Orkney has been different from the other island groups, largely because of the more fertile bedrock there, and consequently different landuse practices.