Developing an Ecosystems Approach: Dry Stone Walls
Dry stone walls are an integral part of the landscape and cultural heritage of the PDNP and other upland areas of England, marking routeways, territorial, occupancy and tenurial boundaries, separating rough grazing from meadows, pastures and arable land and enabling the management and movement of people and livestock. As the stilldominant form of enclosure in the PDNP dry stone walls are part of the 'scenery' appreciated by residents and visitors, and also providing wildlife habitats and corridors. A report on landscape change in the National Parks of England and Wales, published in 1991 by the Countryside Commission, estimated that in the PDNP there were 8,756 kilometres (km) of dry stone walls, 1,710 km of hedges and 472 km of fences. Although the PDNP has experienced greater loss of field boundaries than any other National Park, it still has the third highest density of dry stone walls in any of the National Parks - at an average of 7.6 km2.
Research Department Reports
Lake, Jeremy
Gaskell, Peter
Courtney, Paul
Smith, Ken
Conservation , Heritage , Methological Research , Modern , Post Medieval , Research Strategy , Stone, Worked
Developing an Ecosystems Approach: Dry Stone Walls (PDF)