The changing economic values of the ‘rough ground’ in West Cornwall

Abstract

For over 3,000 years, from the Middle Bronze Age until the early twentieth century, the heath lands and other 'waste' grounds of West Cornwall were integrated in the rural economy. This chapter uses the term 'rough ground', as this term encompasses a range of mixed vegetation communities. It illustrates how after more than 3,000 years as a valuable economic resource, agricultural use and returns from rough ground declined during the 20th century. The chapter highlights a case study of the West Pen with Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA), which is a historic landscape in the west of Cornwall. It provides a valuation of its ecosystem services, and evaluates the results of the agri-environment schemes that have been introduced in the West Pen with ESA since 1987. The chapter explains how land managers have responded to these types of incentives, and evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of different types of agri-environment schemes. Keywords: agri-environment schemes; coastal rough ground; economic resources; environmentally sensitive area (ESA); West Cornwall; West Penwith ESA