Natural Landscapes
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The landscape is
formed and shaped by a combination of climate, geology, natural
features and human activity. The geographical setting of the
nominated Site is dominated by its underlying geology and by the
sea.
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Much of the area is a
gently sloping plateau of metamorphosed rock underlain and
punctuated by granite intrusions. The granite forms a central
spine, 240-300m above sea level in the west to over 400m in the
east - which manifests itself at the surface by rough upland.
The moors are confined to the upland areas and provide some of the
most important and appreciated 'wild' landscapes. Their
combination of altitude, climate and traditional management make
these important habitats, typically un-improved grassland rich in
plant species. The wide open landscapes of the
moors, marshes and meadows support a number of rare plants and
animals including golden plover, otter, and the marsh fritillary
butterfly.
The land is incised by
a number of river valleys harbouring rivers and estuaries that
meander across much of the county, often arising high on the
moorland spine as fast and tumbling streams before winding through
farmland, towns and villages on their way to the sea.
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valleys are often quiet havens for wildlife, supporting reedbeds,
wet willow carr, marshes, ancient woodlands, saltmarshes and
mudflats. The north coast estuaries include the Camel, Gannel and
Hayle rivers with ever-changing sand banks and channels at their
mouths. On the south coast, the gentler cliffs are punctuated by
the deep estuaries or drowned river valleys of the Fal, Helford,
Fowey and Tamar rivers, many of which have been designated as
candidate Special Areas of Conservation for the estuarine wildlife
they support. |
To the east the
natural boundary of the River Tamar forms the border between the
administrative counties of Cornwall and Devon. The nominated Site
extends at this point beyond the Tamar Valley Mining District to
the west Devon town of Tavistock.
Cornwall and west Devon was essentially a rural economy based on
farming and fishing before industrialisation changed the face of
the landscape. Cornwall now has more derelict land than any other
county in England, with 12% of the total national resource at
4,888 ha. However one might view them, Cornwall's mine sites
provide a home and protected sanctuary for many species of flora
and fauna including animals such as rabbits, snakes, birds and
field mice. |
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Associated with these habitats are
disused engine houses, mine shafts and adits, which form important
roosting sites for bats and for birds such as the barn owl, raven
and stock dove. Common lizards and slow worms also colonise these
areas. The bare ground and heathland areas are important for a
wide range of invertebrates, including the naturally scarce
species silver-studded blue, tiger-beetle wasp and western
bee-fly. Soil rich in copper supports many national rare species
of liverwort and mosses as well as highly specialised plants.
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