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A downland is an area of open chalk upland. This term is especially used to describe the chalk countryside in southern England. Areas of downland are often referred to as downs.

Downland is formed when chalk formations are forced above the sea level. Over centuries the chalk is slowly eroded to form sloping hills. Chalk deposits are very pourus so the height of the water table in chalk hills rises in winter and falls in summer.

In temperate regions chalk downland is typically calcareous grassland, a habitat formed by grazing farm animals. Prior to farming, these areas would probably have been covered with forest. Chalk downland is often unspoilt because it is often unsuitable for modern arable farming, horticulture and housing, due to the poor shallow soil and difficult slopes. Many of the downland ranges have been protected against future development, due to their unique biodiversity.

Where the downs are being erroded quickly steep white chalk cliffs are formed such as the White cliffs of Dover.

Chalk downland can be found in many places, including:

There are extensive Chalk Formations under southern England;

In the United States:

In the extensive Austin Chalk formation, which underlies much of central Texas

External links

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-A '''downland''' is an area of open [[chalk]] upland. This term is especially used to describe the [[chalk]] countryside in southern [[England]]. Often referred to as [[downs]].
+A '''downland''' is an area of open [[chalk]] upland. This term is especially used to describe the [[chalk]] countryside in southern [[England]]. Areas of downland are often referred to as '''downs'''.
 Downland is formed when [[chalk]] formations are forced above the sea level. Over centuries the  chalk is slowly [[erosion|eroded]] to form sloping hills. Chalk deposits are very pourus so the height of the [[water table]] in chalk hills rises in winter and falls in summer.
-Chalk downland is typically [[calcareous grassland]], a [[habitat]] formed by grazing farm animals. Prior to farming, the Downs would probably have been covered with forest.  Chalk downland is often unspoilt because it is often unsuitable for modern [[arable farming]], [[horticulture]] and housing, due to the poor shallow soil and difficult slopes. Many of the downland ranges have been protected against future development, due to their unique [[biodiversity]]
+In temperate regions chalk downland is typically [[calcareous grassland]], a [[habitat]] formed by grazing farm animals. Prior to farming, these areas would probably have been covered with forest.  Chalk downland is often unspoilt because it is often unsuitable for modern [[arable farming]], [[horticulture]] and housing, due to the poor shallow soil and difficult slopes. Many of the downland ranges have been protected against future development, due to their unique [[biodiversity]].
-Where the downs are being erroded quickly white chalk [[cliff]]s are formed such as the [[white cliffs of Dover|White cliffs of Dover]]
+Where the downs are being erroded quickly steep white chalk [[cliff]]s are formed such as the [[white cliffs of Dover|White cliffs of Dover]].
 Chalk downland can be found in many places, including:
 There are extensive Chalk Formations under '''southern [[England]]''';
 * [[Berkshire Downs]]
 * [[Chiltern Hills]] ([[Dunstable Downs]])
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 ==See Also==
-* [[Geology of Hertfordshire]]
 * [[The Downs]]
+* [[Winterborne]]
+* [[Coombe]]
 ==External links==
 *[http://www.sevensisters.org.uk/ Seven Sisters cliffs]
 *[http://www.roger.beckwith.btinternet.co.uk/Sussex/SevenSisters.htm Seven Sisters]
+[[Category:Hills]]
+[[Category:Plateaus]]