The impact of agricultural changes on the rural landscape of south east Scotland, 1972-1990

• Main Author: Ghaffar, Abdul
• Published: University of Edinburgh 1996
• Subjects: 338.1
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.651406

This study investigates the impact of agricultural changes on the rural landscape of South East Scotland, focusing upon the period between 1972 and 1990 under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Community (EC). Agricultural Returns are used to examine agricultural change at parish level and an integrated analysis of Ordnance Survey maps, aerial photographs and interpretation via GIS is used to investigate the rural landscape change in two sample areas (one in East Lothian and the second in Berwickshire). Great changes in agricultural holdings, average farm size and in land tenure have occurred in South East Scotland reflecting the effects of the CAP policies. Major agricultural changes, due to the price support policy, are found in the area under wheat, oilseed rape, oats, dairy cattle and sheep production whereas remaining crops and livestock showed no significant changes. The area under farm woodland has increased. The sample areas show major differences in the process of landscape change. Field boundaries have been removed to enlarge fields. Hedgerows and post & wire fence boundaries have been the main focus of removal. Hedgerows boundaries have been re-planted in the sample areas mostly replacing post & wire boundaries. The major removals have occurred in areas best suited for crop production but replantation has occurred in all parts of the sample areas. Other farm features have insignificant changes in sample areas. Farmers have intensified agricultural production focusing upon wheat, oilseed rape, beef cattle and sheep production. The increase of field drainage has been a major activity on the farms to increase the farm productivity. Field boundaries especially hedgerows and post & wire have been removed to increase the farm and field size.