ECEC - 4

Question 1

what are the main species that dominate heathland?

Answer 1

ericoid dwarf shrubs e.g. heather ( Calluna vulgaris) and other main species like bell heather (Erica cinerea) and cross leaved heather (Erica tetralix)

Question 2

heathland is floristically species poor due to its low nutrient status and acidic soil but why does it have a high conservation status?

Answer 2

most species are restricted to the UK and it houses some uncommon animal species

Question 3

whats the difference between upland and lowland heath

Answer 3

upland = above 300m lowland = bellow 300m
upland = 75% of worlds total
lowland = 20 % of worlds total
both typically on acidic podsol soil

Question 4

3 features of podsol soils

Answer 4

1) characteristic of cool, wet climate
2) minerals are dissolved in rain and deposited in layers
3) nutrients and bases leached from upper horizons

Question 5

how are podsol soils a major store of carbon?

Answer 5

water logging due to iron pans causing bad drainage which stimulates peaty podsols and eventually formation of true peat - retarded decomposition ensures build up of organic matter

Question 6

when did heathland occur and what was thought to cause podsoilization?

Answer 6

originated in/after bronze age

podsol formed in response to forest clearance and cultivation

Question 7

why is it difficult to know the timing of when the onset of heather dominance occured?

Answer 7

because there is much variation and grazing tends to suppress heather -The current extreme dominance of heather in many moors is very recent (post 1800)

Question 8

what is grouse abundance affected by?

Answer 8

the availability of its main food source- young shoots of heather

Question 9

what are the benefits of rotational burning of heather on an 8-15 year cycle?

Answer 9

1) maxamises the amount of edible biomass

2) provides patches of more mature heather for nesting

Question 10

what is a negative outcome of rotational heather burning but why is it not to big a problem?

Answer 10

• can lead to further nutrient loss in the ash from already nutrient poor moorland soils
• however losses of most elements may be balanced by nutrient inputs
  in rainfall, over the period of the burning rotation

Question 11

what are the nutrients most at risk of loss from heather burning?

Answer 11

N, P, S - N and P critical since nutrients most likely to limit growth

Question 12

Some areas of heathland are reforested by spruce plantations, what are 2 problems with this?

Answer 12

1) loss of diversity or distinctive native species

2) loss of visual appeal/ amenity value

Question 13

In the Broxa reforestation site it is possible to grow birch trees but what are 3 problems with this?

Answer 13

1) no greater biodiversity than coniferous on the same soil
2) even after 70 years the trees are small and contorted
3) no real commercial value

Question 14

the birch reforestation in Tulchan worked well and lead to important soil changes, what are these?

Answer 14

1) increase in earthworms
2) breakdown of old humus
3) increase in PH , decrease in exchangable H

Question 15

describe the layers of a podsol soil?

Answer 15

1) litter
2) peat layer
3) iron pan

Question 16

where did Dimbleby note the occurrence of brown earth soils?

Answer 16

beneath Bronze Age barrows (graves) - that were surrounded by podsols