Future Landscapes

• How might the Somerset Landscape
  look in the Future?
• Upland
  • As it is Today
  • Focus on Agriculture
  • Focus on Biodiversity
  • Balance between Agriculture and Biodiversity
• Somerset Levels and Moors
  • As it is Today
  • Focus on Agriculture
  • Focus on Biodiversity
  • Balance between Agriculture and Biodiversity
• Lowland Coastal
  • As it is Today
  • Focus on Agriculture
  • Focus on Biodiversity
  • Balance between Agriculture and Biodiversity

Upland - Balance between Agriculture & Biodiversity - 2060

Upland Landscape - in 2060 if the focus is on a balance between biodiversity and agriculture:

The landscape is managed to provide a range of services to society, including food, energy, environmental, recreational and amenity. Energy crops (including miscanthus and short rotation coppice) are being produced for local and farm-scale power plants. Hedgerows and tree stands are allowed to mature, enlarge and connect across the landscape. A range of grassland based livestock systems are practiced, together with the production of some fodder crops, along with provision for wildlife.

Upland

Somerset Levels and Moors

Lowland Coastal

Energy crops such as short rotation coppice or miscanthus can be used to meet local energy needs

Hedgerows and woodland allowed to expand and connect, providing habitat, shade, water and soil retention and other benefits

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More intensive grazing on best fields

Conservation grazing allows local wildflowers and other plants to flourish

Arable fields have at least 5m set aside as a vegetated buffer strip all around to provide wildlife havens, water and sediment retention functions and other benefits