Nature Land and Power: The role of landownership and co-management in sustainable management of upland ecosystems in Scotland

Upland ecosystems represent the largest areas of near natural and semi-natural habitats in the UK and the majority of the world’s heather dominated habitats, with 3.4M hectares (43%) of Scotland consisting of Mountain, Moorland and Heath (UK NEA, 2011). The uplands provide a range of ecosystem services, including 70% of the UK’s drinking water, 40% of the soil carbon resource and high experiential values. The extent and condition of moorlands has been shaped by a history of management including burning, grazing and predator control. Upland areas have experienced considerable change since WWII, resulting from management and policy shifts in response to market demands (e.g. high sheep stocking densities in response to payments designed to address food security). This has resulted in a decline in the areas of bog, heathland and native woodland habitats, due to encroachment from conifer afforestation and agriculture and increasing deer densities linked to sporting estate management. An increasing emphasis on environmental values from the 1970s led to impacts being moderated by conservation policy and reform of agricultural policy. Current trends include habitat restoration, reintroductions, hill farming decline, native woodland expansion and renewable energy development. Nevertheless, ‘traditional’ land uses remain important to rural economies and a core aspect of management on many private landholdings. The uplands therefore represent multifunctional landscapes – with a wide range of users and trade-offs apparent. This paper examines the role of landownership and land management to the development of upland ecosystems, including reviewing key outcomes of different landownership models. Four key challenges are examined: i) renewable energy and wildness values; ii) deer management and native woodlands; iii) grouse shooting and raptor conservation; and iv) rewilding in a cultural landscape context. Conclusions are drawn in relation to:  i) the role of landowners and landownership; and ii) the role of co-management in sustainable upland ecosystems.