Pastoral Stone Enclosures as Biological Cultural Heritage: Galician and Cornish Examples of Community Conservation

Richard Grove,Heather Viles,Diego Cidrás,Joám Evans Pim,Miguel Serrano,Patricia Sanmartín

doi:10.3390/land9010009

Richard Grove, Heather Viles + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/land9010009

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Journal: Land	Publication Date: Jan 2, 2020
Citations: 13	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Oxford, University of Santiago de Compostela

Abstract

The role and importance of a built structure are closely related to the surrounding area, with interest in a given area having a concomitant effect on the relevance given to the constructions it may hold. Heritage interest in landscape areas has grown in recent times leading to a sound valorisation process. This connects with the recent concept of biological cultural heritage (BCH), or biocultural heritage (definition still in process), that can be understood as domesticated landscapes resulting from long-term biological and social relationships. Although pastoral enclosures (in large part dry-stone walling, whose construction has been recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2018) arise as traditional rural constructions linked with a way of life already disappearing, engaged local communities are recovering their biocultural value in terms of identity and positive conservation outcomes. In this sense, this article focuses on valuing traditional stone-built pastoral enclosures in two locations on the Atlantic coast of western Europe: Frojám (NW Iberian Peninsula) and Ladydown Moor (SW England). Findings concerning plant communities related to current or ancient pastoralism, and artefacts of built heritage are described, and an emphasis is placed on community engagement as a mechanism for conservation. The resilience of species-rich grassland communities is identified as a manifestation of biocultural heritage and an opportunity for habitat restoration. Finally, current trends and improvements in understanding of biological heritage and community conservation are addressed.

Highlights

This study examines two areas where long-established land management practices have been disrupted during the last century as a result of technological or demographic change, bringing to an end, long histories of pastoralism
The findings presented in this article stress the leadership and engagement potential of local communities in bringing about effective conservation initiatives that bridge nature conservation, landscape planning and management, and heritage preservation on the basis of long-term biological and cultural relationships between people and their surroundings
As is shown in these case studies, there is a direct link between historic cultural activities and the establishment and survival of habitats and ecosystems within stone-built heritage structures

Summary

Introduction

This study examines two areas where long-established land management practices have been disrupted during the last century as a result of technological or demographic change, bringing to an end, long histories of pastoralism. The ‘flight to the city’ has recently reversed with increasing movement to a rural lifestyle under the guise of sustainability and quality of life, imposing renewed changes on abandoned landscapes [1]. In this sense, there is an increasing recognition of cultural values when discussing wellbeing in rural areas [2]. In 2019, Lindholm and Ekblom [4]

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Conclusion