Breen Wood

Question 1

One of the finest remaining areas of ________________ in the North of Ireland

Answer 1

Ancient sessile oak woodland

Question 2

SAC - Special Area of Conservation - 36 hectare site

Answer 2

North facing slope of a river

Question 3

Lies between ______ feet above sea level

Answer 3

400 - 600 feet

Question 4

Moderately high total annual rainfall

Answer 4

1600mm

Question 5

Mean monthly temperatures January and July

Answer 5

4C January and 15C July. Most days cloudy and frosts in winter - reduces length of growing season to as little as 7 months

Question 6

Another abiotic factor limiting plant growth in Breen is

Answer 6

Poor quality of soil - underlying parent rock is basalt - low in nutrients - soil thin, rocky and acidic pH 4.5. Rainfall leaches nutrients producing a podsol - thin surface humus layer - washed out or bleached appearance

Question 7

Diversity of plants and animals in Breen limited - 200 year old oak trees have reached only

Answer 7

Half the height they would attain in low lying areas

Question 8

Dominant tree species - deciduous

Answer 8

Oak and downy birch

Question 9

Below canopy shrub layer

Answer 9

Rowan, hazel, holly
Beneath and around - bilberry, bramble, ferns
Soil surface - wood sorrel, mosses and ferns

Question 10

Appearance of deciduous woodland changes greatly with seasons

Answer 10

Early spring - bluebells and anemones
Summer - leaf canopy - ground cover only grasses and ferns
Fungi common

Question 11

Heterotrophs - harsh environment is a limiting factor in animal life

Answer 11

Many insect species - 14 species of caterpillar, native red squirrel, woodland birds (great and blue tits), buzzards, sparrow hawks, badger, stoat, fox.

Question 12

Harsh abiotic environment of cool temperatures and acidic soils makes survival difficult for soil organisms

Answer 12

Few earthworms are found and leaf litter may take years to decompose. Nutrient input from underlying rock is low - rainfall is main source of new chemical nutrients. Release of nutrients from litter to soil stores is slow but with autumn leaf fall a large flow from biomass to litter store does take place

Question 13

Leaching of nutrients down through soil beneath Breen Wood carries nutrients beyond reach of plant roots…

Answer 13

…and away in small streams that drain the area