Distinctive Landscapes Result from Human Activity

Natural processes, such as those associated with rivers and glaciers, don’t just shape landscapes. People have played a significant role in shaping the appearance of places, particularly over extended periods of time. In the UK, agriculture, forestry, and settlement have all contributed to the distinctive appearance of both upland and lowland areas.

Agriculture – Farming the Land

Agriculture has influenced the UK landscape for thousands of years. Different types of farming have shaped the land in different ways:

• Upland areas often have pastoral farming – sheep and cattle grazing on steep, rough land. You’ll see dry stone walls, terracing, and patches of heather moorland.
• Lowland areas are better suited for arable farming, as they offer flat, fertile soils for growing crops. Here you’ll find large open fields, hedgerows, and drainage ditches (especially in places like the Fens).

Over time, traditional farming practices have created a patchwork pattern that defines much of the UK’s rural scenery.

Forestry – Managing Trees and Woodland

Forests in the UK today are a mix of natural woodland and planted forests:

• Ancient woodlands (like oak forests) are found in many lowland areas and are rich in biodiversity.
• In contrast, conifer plantations (often found in upland areas like Kielder Forest in Northumberland) are usually planted in neat rows for timber production. These can appear dark, uniform, and unnatural.
• Forestry has changed the shape, colour, and texture of the landscape, especially where fast-growing non-native trees have been planted in large blocks.

Settlement – Building Towns and Villages

Where people live and how they’ve built their homes and infrastructure also affect the landscape:

• Nucleated villages (clustered together) are often found in fertile lowland areas.
• Dispersed farmsteads are more common in hilly or remote upland regions.
• Towns and cities expand over time, turning greenfield land into urban areas. This process is called urban sprawl.

Human settlement changes the natural land cover, introduces roads, buildings, and infrastructure, and sometimes leads to the loss of natural habitats.

A Changing Landscape

Together, agriculture, forestry, and settlement have transformed the UK landscape. What you see today is the result of thousands of years of interaction between people and the environment.

From the neatly ploughed fields of East Anglia to the grazing hillsides of the Pennines and the forested slopes of Scotland, human activity has left a visible footprint on every part of the country.