Of all the evidence available for assessing human impact on the world, the record provided by the landscape, environment and biodiversity is probably the most accurate and telling.

This chapter examines the evidence for shifts in landscape and biodiversity, making clear that humans are an integral part of nature with little in the UK having existed in isolation from humans. 

Environmental records highlight the dynamic interactions between humans and their surroundings – things have always changed as circumstances have shifted.

With this in mind we will examine whether current legislation, that seeks to preserve the present-day landscape and environment, is fitting to deal with a future that will be less predictable and require considerable adaptability.