countrysidelandscapes
Countrysidelandscapes are the landscapes found in rural areas outside towns and cities. They arise from the interaction of natural processes—climate, soils, water—and human activity, including farming, settlement, and infrastructure. The term covers a broad range of environments, from rolling meadows and hedgerowed fields to wooded hillsides, moorlands, and river valleys.
Core elements include topography (slopes and valleys), land cover (grasslands, crops, woodlands, wetlands), and water features
Field patterns and boundary treatments are distinctive. Hedgerows and stone walls often define regular or irregular
Regional variants reflect climate, history, and farming systems. European countrysidelandscapes frequently feature hedgerows and small fields;
Significance and pressures: Countrysidelandscapes support biodiversity, soil and water health, and cultural heritage, while also providing
Conservation and planning seek to balance production with landscape quality through hedgerow restoration, buffer strips along