Soil micromorphology and image analysis; a study of bronze age to recently improved soils at Lairg, Sutherland, Scotland

The applications of multispectral and morphometric image analysis to soil thin section descriptions is examined. It is shown that unsupervised classification and contrast stretching can be used to enhance and label features of interest. Morphometric measurements, allow the shape and abundance of features in thin sections to be compared and statistical relationships established. This method of analysis offers a precision beyond that which is possible using a qualitative approach. Using soil micromorphology as the main analytical technique a case study was carried out to evaluate the applicability of image analysis to an investigation of an archaeological site at Lairg in northern Scotland. The interactions of anthropogenic activity and pedogenesis since the Bronze Age is examined. The condition of the soils prior to the Bronze Age is not known because no buried soils predated this period. Evidence suggests that in freely draining situations complete podzols might have formed by this time. During the Bronze and Iron Age intensive cultivation of soils occurred with associated erosion. In areas of the site, where human activity is dated to the Post Medieval period, deepening of A horizons is apparent and the soils are maintained as Brown Podzols. In many areas where human activity stops stagnopodzols are the dominant soil type. The potential of image analysis to aid soil micromorphological descriptions is demonstrated. Contrast stretching aided a qualitative subdivision of thin section slides during the case study. Morphometric analysis confirmed a relationship between shape of voids and c/f ratios in an Iron Age buried A horizon, A PM buried A horizon and an undated deep topsoil. It is concluded that the full benefits of image analysis, when used as a routine tool to aid thin section descriptions, will only be realised when procedures become more interactive and processes can be speeded up

Responsible tourism: A guide for tourism and sustainability in small-scale fisheries and agri-food

‘Responsible Tourism: a guide for tourism and sustainability in small-scale fisheries and agri-food’ is a product of TourFish, a project funded by the EU INTERREG IVA 2 Seas programme. The aim of TourFish was to explore opportunities for coastal areas through developing responsible tourism that draws together food, small-scale inshore fisheries, regional branding and place-based marketing opportunities

Marine fisheries and sense of place in coastal communities in southern England: the challenge for policy makers

There is increasing recognition in Europe that fisheries and marine policy, such as the Common Fisheries Policy and the Integrated Maritime Policy, need to more explicitly incorporate social and cultural objectives in order to achieve sustainability of fish stocks and coastal communities. In addition to the economic impact that fisheries have, fishing is important for many coastal towns more broadly in terms of identity, place character and cultural heritage. Fishing places are influenced and shaped by regional, national, European and even international policies, with, for instance, quota restricting the species and number of fish that can be caught, or designations such as Marine Protected Areas potentially restricting areas of inshore waters which can be fished. Thus, a deeper understanding of the contribution of marine fisheries, especially the inshore sector, to sense of place provides an important resource that decision-makers can draw upon for incorporating social and cultural goals in fisheries and maritime policy. Using case study material from coastal communities in Sussex and Cornwall, this paper explores the contribution of marine fisheries to sense of place and the importance of place identity for both local communities and related industries such as tourism. The study draws on qualitative data from interviews with a range of stakeholders, including fishermen, fishing families, residents, artists, heritage providers, tourism providers and industry representatives. We argue that fishing is important for communities not just as a means of earning a living, but is a way of life with more deeply embedded cultural relationships. The initial results suggest that, for many coastal communities, fishing is important in defining place character, community and personal identity, as well having a rich cultural heritage linked to fishing. Fishing contributes to the appeal of a place for tourism and there is an increasing interest in the provenance of fish products

Marine fisheries and sense of place in coastal communities in southern England

In addition to the economic impact that fisheries have, fishing is important for many coastal communities more broadly in terms of identity, place character and cultural heritage. The meanings that people attach to fishing places are representative of a range of social, historic, political and cultural processes and contribute to the construction of a particular sense of place. There is increasing recognition that fisheries and marine policy need to more explicitly incorporate social and cultural objectives in order to achieve sustainability of fish stocks and coastal communities. Using case study material from coastal communities in Sussex and Cornwall in southern England, this paper explores the contribution of marine fisheries to sense of place and the importance of place identity for both local communities and related industries such as tourism. The study draws on qualitative data from interviews with a range of stakeholders, including fishermen, fishing families, residents, artists, heritage providers, tourism providers and industry representatives. We argue that fishing is important for communities not just as a means of earning a living, but is a way of life with more deeply embedded cultural relationships

Fishing cultures: marine fisheries and sense of place in coastal communities

Fisheries do not exist in isolation from other social and economic coastal systems. In addition to the economic impact that fisheries have, many coastal towns with fishing fleets have a strong cultural heritage based on the fishing industry. It is this cultural heritage that can in turn give rise to a strong sense of place that is important for local residents as well as visitors and the tourism industry. Using case study material from coastal communities in Sussex and Cornwall, this paper explores the contribution of marine fisheries to sense of place and the importance of place identity for related industries such as tourism. Is fishing important for communities as simply a means of earning a living, or is it a way of life with more deeply embedded cultural relationships? Does fishing contribute to local identity and does it play a role in defining sense of place? This study draws on qualitative data from interviews with a range of stakeholders, including fishermen, fishing families, residents, tourism providers, tourists, local town planners and policy makers as well as an exploration of the material environment through photographs, information boards, the built environment, street decoration/signage, printed texts and art. A deeper understanding of the contribution of marine fisheries, especially the inshore small-scale sector, to sense of place will be important for decision-makers in reforming fisheries policy and the regeneration of coastal towns

Fishing cultures: marine fisheries and sense of place in coastal communities

In addition to the economic impact that fisheries have, fishing is important for many coastal towns more broadly in terms of identity, place character and cultural heritage. The meanings that people attach to fishing places are representative of a range of social, historic, political and cultural processes and contribute to the construction of a particular sense of place. There is increasing recognition in Europe that fisheries and marine policy, such as the Common Fisheries Policy and the Integrated Maritime Policy, need to more explicitly incorporate social and cultural objectives in order to achieve sustainability of fish stocks and coastal communities. Using case study material from coastal communities in Sussex and Cornwall, this paper explores the contribution of marine fisheries to sense of place and the importance of place identity for both local communities and related industries such as tourism. Case studies included fishing places at a range of scales, from large industrial fishing ports, such as Newlyn, to tiny fishing coves with a handful of fishing boats launched from the beach. The study draws on qualitative data from interviews with a range of stakeholders, including fishermen, fishing families, residents, artists, heritage providers, tourism providers and industry representatives. We argue that fishing is important for communities not just as a means of earning a living, but is a way of life with more deeply embedded cultural relationships. Initial analysis of the results suggests that, for many coastal communities, fishing is important in defining place character, community and personal identity, as well having a rich cultural heritage linked to fishing. A fishing sense of place also contributes to the appeal of a place for tourism, and is used to market destinations. Yet sense of place is also defined by the product, the fish themselves. Particular species are associated with different places at different times of the year, and with the growing importance of provenance, place marketing of products (such as the rebranding of the pilchard as the Cornish sardine) roots them in a particular locale. Furthermore, all fishing places are influenced and shaped by regional, national, European and even international policies, with, for instance, quota restricting the species and number of fish that can be caught, or designations such as Marine Conservation Zones potentially restricting areas of inshore waters which can be fished. Thus, a deeper understanding of the contribution of marine fisheries, especially the inshore small-scale sector, to sense of place provides an important resource that decision-makers can draw upon for incorporating social and cultural goals in fisheries and maritime policy

Living with mosquitoes in disease-free contexts: attitudes and perceptions of risk in English wetlands

This chapter explores attitudes towards mosquitoes in the UK based on an analysis of interviews with 56 people (farmers, reserve managers, volunteers, walkers, bird-watchers and other recreational wetland users and local residents) at three wetland sites in England. The study finds that people can and do coexist with mosquitoes in disease-free contexts; they are appreciated as part of the wider wetland ecosystem; and whilst sometimes the insects are a considerable nuisance, the only real concern is whether they may bring diseases in the future. These attitudes can be considered not only in relation to the future of mosquitoes and their management in Britain and other countries not widely inflicted with mosquito-borne disease, but also the future of wetland management, and the balance between the multiple benefits provided by these ecosystems with the possible challenges that may or may not materialize in the future

Valuing Arts and Arts Research

Arts have a significant impact on the way we understand the world. It is widely accepted that arts are able to inspire people and direct attention to things that really matter; they help not only to understand how the material world affects us, but also to acknowledge the importance of these influences on our wellbeing. Moreover, through the process of creative engagement, individual reflections can become shared cultural experiences and vice versa. Where the social and natural sciences produce verifiable evidence based on data, the arts and artists can create singular perspectives that have wide resonance. While any great work of art increases our understanding of the world, not all arts processes lend themselves to research collaborations, particularly with other disciplines

Living Coast: Understanding Local Perspectives and Values of the Coast using Community Voice Method in Portsmouth and on the Durham Heritage Coast

This project was commissioned by Natural England with the aim of using the Community Voice Method to explore the values and perceptions of people in Portsmouth and along the Durham Heritage Coast in relation to their local coastal environments and the England Coast Path. The study focused on less affluent areas because wider evidence, including Natural England’s Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment, suggests this is where people are less likely to experience and, therefore benefit from, the natural environment. Through understanding what people think and feel about the coast, it is hoped the benefits of the England Coast Path and a healthy environment can be harnessed for a diverse range of users. The work was undertaken by the Marine Conservation Society, the University of Greenwich and Community Voice Consulting. The approach involved conducting filmed interviews with sample populations in both areas. Forty-one people were interviewed in 33 interviews across the two areas (19 in Portsmouth and 22 along the Durham Coast). The aim was to have a diverse sample of interviewees that included both regular coastal users and those who visited less often, or not at all. The sample populations were fairly evenly divided between active and limited users with a range of ages represented, although the greatest number of responses was in the 60-69 age range. Two films (each approximately 20 mins long) were produced based on the analysis of the interview transcripts. The Portsmouth CVM film can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/jJB94V2g7LY The Durham Heritage Coast CVM film can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmCdqdLoVww A short documentary film explaining the background and method used in this research is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxj_GQyCX2s The CVM films were shown in 5 locations along the Durham coast and 3 in Portsmouth in a variety of community settings. The screenings and workshops provided opportunities to involve some additional people from the local communities, add content that people thought was missing in the films, or expand topics that had already been raised. For analysis, the interviews were divided into themes related to wellbeing, place values, features of coastal places and responses to the England Coast Path

Coastal transformations and connections: revealing values through the community voice method

1. A wealth of evidence suggests an important relationship between nature and human health and well-being and this appears to hold particular resonance for coastal environments. Notably, this relationship has been explored in assessments of ecosystem services, or the benefits that people derive from nature. 2. In this paper, we extend the debate to encompass ideas around relational values which considers that human well-being is derived from relationships with nature rather than being solely delivered as the benefits commonly suggested in the ecosystem services literature. 3. The paper draws on conceptual ideas around relational values, sense of place, and environmental justice to understand the values and importance of coastal environments for people. 4. These value concepts are explored through detailed narratives revealed by participants in two case study UK coastal locations, using a form of civic dialogue and videography approach called Community Voice Method (CVM). 5. We find that despite levels of relative deprivation in our case study locations, interviewees express values which are striking in terms of the depth of care felt; values which are ‘time-deepened’ and shaped not only by what people do and are able to do but also by personal histories and memories which remain strong despite material changes and transformations in people’s lives and the places they live. 6. The CVM method in addition provides a practical approach for creating deliberative spaces to explore those deeply embodied and shared connections to the coast which are important and should have greater prominence in coastal management policy and practice