Appendix 1: Glossary of Acronyms and Technical Terms
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EXEC UTIVE SU MMARY APPENDIX 1: GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS AND TECHNICAL TERMS Access land Land subject to an agreement made between a landowner in Britain and the governing body in that area which allows the public to use the land for recreation under the Countryside and Rights Of Way Act 2000. Agri-environmental (grants) Grants paid to farmers to manage land in a manner which enhances its nature conservation and/ or landscape value (for example Glastir). Alluvium Material deposited by rivers. Ancient woodland Woodland (in England and Wales) which has continuously existed since before 1600. ASL Above sea level (height in metres). Assarting Informal clearance of woodland for arable use. BBNP Brecon Beacons National Park. Biodigester Sewage treatment method involving increased aeration. Blanket bog A peatland habitat found on flat or gently undulating ground in the British uplands where there is high rainfall. Under these ‘waterlogged’ conditions, peat forms from the partial decomposition of wetland plants, particularly Sphagnum mosses. The peat gradually accumulates, and over thousands of years can reach depths of several metres. The blanketing of the ground with peat gives this habitat its name. CCW Countryside Council for Wales. Calcareous Rocks containing calcium carbonate such as limestone or chalk. Carbon sequestration The absorption and storage of atmospheric carbon in, for example, trees and soils. Charcoal hearth The first stage of the charcoal burning process was the preparation of the hearth or "pit". This consisted of the excavation of a flat level circular depression in the ground large enough for the amount of timber being converted to charcoal. Br econ Beacons National Park Landscape Char acter Ass ess men t Fiona Fyfe Ass ociates, August 2012 12 0 EXEC UTIVE SU MMARY Conservation Area An area designated under Section 69 of the Civic Amenities Act 1967, as an "area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance". Coppice/Coppicing Method of managing woodland in which trees are cut every 10-15 years for small diameter wood. Crannog An artificial island typically used as a dwelling. Used in Europe from Neolithic times until the eighteenth century. Cwm The geographical term for a rounded, glaciated valley also known as a corrie or cirque ; the Welsh word for a valley, sometimes anglicized to coombe . Ecosystem A community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes) in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (things like air, water and mineral soil), interacting as a system. Flush A relatively fertile habitat which occurs where water emerges from springs and seepages (e.g. through cracks in rocks). The water keeps soil conditions moist and brings in nutrients derived from solution from soils and rocks. Geodiversity The variety of rocks, minerals, fossils, soils, landforms and natural processes. Geopark A European Geopark is a territory whose geological heritage is of European significance. It will have a sustainable development strategy with a strong management structure,supported by a European funding programme, to aid further development. Glastir From 2012, Glastir replaces the existing Welsh agri-environment schemes. Glastir pays for the delivery of specific environmental goods and services aimed at: combating climate change; improving water management; and, maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. It is designed to deliver measurable outcomes at both a farm and landscape level in a cost effective way. Hammer pond An old ironworking lake, providing a source of water to power a forge. Headage (payments) Payment to hill farmers on a per-animal basis. Hedgebanks Earth bank topped with a hedgerow. The bank may be faced with stone or turf. Br econ Beacons National Park Landscape Char acter Ass ess men t Fiona Fyfe Ass ociates, August 2012 12 1 EXEC UTIVE SU MMARY Hefted (animals) Animals that have their own territory, often established over generations. Inclined plane Flat surface set at an angle to enable, for example, goods to be moved. Karst landscape Landscape of hard limestone rocks named after the Karst region of the former Yugoslavia, which often includes caves and underground rivers. Kettle hole The remains of a hollow where a block of ice melted in a glacial deposit. It may contain a lake. LCA Landscape Character Area A single unique area which is the discrete geographical area of a particular landscape type. Each has its own individual character and identity. LCT Landscape Character Type Distinct types of landscape that are relatively homogenous in character. Lime kiln Site where limestone was burnt to provide lime for fertiliser, builders’ mortar etc. Limestone pavements A level area where hard limestone is found at the surface, following erosion. LNR (Local Nature Reserve) Nature Reserve with locally-important nature conservation features. They combine conservation with opportunities for quiet enjoyment of nature. Ménage An arena for the exercising and training of horses. Moraine Sediment laid down by a glacier or associated with it. Motte (and bailey) A mound, surrounded by a ditch, on which the strongpoint of a castle was built, overlooking the bailey, or enclosed courtyard. NNR (National Nature Reserve) The best national examples of habitats, geology, wildlife or a combination of these. They are owned or leased by the Countryside Council for Wales (or other conservation bodies). There are 66 in Wales. Nucleated (settlement) Settlement with a distinct core with buildings closely grouped together. Br econ Beacons National Park Landscape Char acter Ass ess men t Fiona Fyfe Ass ociates, August 2012 12 2 EXEC UTIVE SU MMARY Opencast(ing) Mining method in which surface earth and rock are moved to allow access to minerals below. Pale Earthwork marking the boundary of a medieval deer park. Pastoral Relating to the rearing of grazing livestock. Pathogens Micro-organisms that cause disease in their host plant or animal. Patterned ground A set of circles and other regular features formed when ice grows in the ground in periglacial conditions and causes material to move about. On a slope they may form linear features. Phytophthora ramorum Destructive parasitic fungi causing brown rot in plants. Picturesque Artistic quality and style particularly popular in Britain in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Refers to landscape as being ‘like a picture’ in its elements and composition. Pillow mound Artificial rabbit warren. Register of Landscapes of (Special) Historic Interest in Wales Register of landscapes of outstanding or special historic interest in Wales listing 58 sites. Set up by the Countryside Council for Wales in partnership with CADW and the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS UK). Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic interest in Wales Register compiled in 2002 in order to aid to informed conservation of historic parks and gardens by owners, local planning authorities, developers, statutory bodies and all concerned with them. They are deemed to be of national importance. Sites are graded I, II* and II in the same way as listed buildings. Relative wildness Low degree of human influence e.g. due to extensive semi-natural vegetation; few built features; openness and exposure to the elements. (CCW definition). Remoteness Relatively few roads or other transport routes; distant from or perceived as distant from human habitation. (CCW definition). RIGS Regionally Important Geological Sites. Br econ Beacons National Park Landscape Char acter Ass ess men t Fiona Fyfe Ass ociates, August 2012 12 3 EXEC UTIVE SU MMARY Riparian Of, or on, a riverbank. Riverine Of a river. Royal hunting ground/forest Land set aside and subject to forest law where hunting was reserved for the monarch, or, by invitation, the aristocracy. SACs Special Area of Conservation (European designation). Scheduled Monuments Nationally important sites which are given legal protection by being placed on a list or “schedule”. Semi-Natural Habitats of Principal Importance to Wales Semi-natural habitats which fulfill the criteria for designation as statutory or non-statutory wildife sites. Shake hole/ Swallow hole/ Sinkhole Vertical hole, usually an enlarged joint, in the surface of limestone into which a river rising outside the area may disappear, continuing to flow underground. SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest The purpose of the designation is to safeguard, for present and future generations, the quality, diversity and geographic range of habitats, species, geological features throughout the UK. TAN 8 Technical Advice Note 8 (2005): Renewable Energy (published by Welsh Government). Time-depth Ability to see a range of historic features which have been created over many years. Tranquillity Presence and/ or perceptions of natural landscape, birdsong, peace and quiet, natural-looking woodland, stars at night, streams and/or sea, natural sounds and similar influences. (CCW definition). Veteran trees Trees that are or look old relative to others of the same species. Characteristics include very large girth for the species, hollow or hollowing trunk and a large quantity of dead wood in the canopy. WHS (World Heritage Site) A site forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value. Wood pasture Area of open woodland which provided shelter and forage for grazing animals. Br econ Beacons National Park Landscape Char acter Ass