The Moorlands of Exmoor

This study was timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the designation of Exmoor National Park and was used by the National Park Authority as the main evidence base for a conference on the future of the moorlands held in October 2004. The work was commissioned by the Exmoor Society, a charity that champions the protection of Exmoor National Park.

The study was based on an integrated assessment of all the special qualities of the moorlands, as defined by the statutory purposes of National Parks (the natural resources, landscape, biodiversity, archaeology and cultural heritage, public understanding and enjoyment, and the economic uses of agriculture and tourism). The significance and condition of the moorlands in relation to these qualities was described, judging their ‘fitness for purpose’.

The study is written up as a 14 page Summary Report and a 140 page Main Report.