This volume investigates the complex ecological, geological, and historical forces that have shaped the unique landscape of Dartmoor. The authors, D. St. Leger Gordon and L. A. Harvey, synthesize decades of observation and scientific study to provide a comprehensive overview of the region's flora, fauna, and human impact. Their work serves as a foundational text for understanding the environmental evolution of this specific British moorland.

The text is regarded as a classic, authoritative entry in the long-running New Naturalist series, valued for its depth of local knowledge and scientific rigor. It remains a primary reference for naturalists and researchers interested in the specific environmental history of the Dartmoor region.