Regeneration

Another landscape we see as natural, though is frequently not, is heathland. The lowland heaths found in this region are anthropogenic heathlands and are classified as a cultural landscape; being the result of successive generations of human activity. Granted, after the last ice age a tundra type landscape developed and that heathland plants were part of that, this was merely a transitory period and extensive woodland quickly became established as the climax community covering most of Britain. It wasn't until the introduction of farming with its associated woodland clearance in the Neolithic that we see heath as we know it developing; pollen analysis of soil samples from the period attests to a reduction in tree pollen and an increase in heather. And it's only through the continued intervention of man that lowland heath, and other heathland too, continues to exist; it's a totally unnatural landscape. Left alone, trees such as Pine and Birch quickly invade and establish, other plants too take the opportunity to move in and before you know it succession has begun the march towards diverse climax community woodland.  Some years back a heath near me was razed by fire, first the heather returned and thrived, though there's been no human intervention and Pine and Birch saplings have taken hold. Yearly more and more trees have established themselves and now the plant communities are beginning to change; you can see succession in action.