The Machair - Cropped Machair

CONTENTS | RESOURCE DESCRIPTION | LAND USE | CONFLICTS AND SOLUTIONS

The James Hutton Institute

This page is no longer updated. The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute joined forces with SCRI on 1 April 2011 to create The James Hutton Institute.

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CROPPED MACHAIR

RESOURCE DESCRIPTION > PHYSICAL LANDSCAPE > ECOLOGY

Historically, the growing of barley, oats and rye, and later potatoes, provided the local population with much of their diet.

The crops themselves are of considerable biodiversity importance.

The fallow years allow the characteristic weed flora to develop, which can provide dramatic shows of colour in the spring.

Traditional crops of oats and barley are still grown today

Related topics: Grassland | Soil | Rural development