Research Projects

Perceptions of Nature – Are We Bewildered?
A social-ecological study of how people understand “wilderness” on Dartmoor in 2024.

Key findings:

1. A significant number of visitors held idealised perceptions of Dartmoor as a wilderness, often overlooking its deep cultural and agricultural history.

2. The term “wilderness” was used inconsistently and sometimes misleadingly, suggesting a need for clearer, context-specific communication when using ecological terminology.

3. Residents were more likely to view Dartmoor through a pragmatic or ecological lens, acknowledging both human influence and biodiversity.