Ecosystems - St Werburghs

Question 1

Where is St Werburghs?

Answer 1

St. Werburghs is an area in north-east central Bristol, England. Nowadays, it is surrounded by the M32 motorway, railway embankments and allotment slopes. The district is close to the district of St Pauls.

Question 2

Describe the geology of the St Werburghs area

Answer 2

The solid geology of St Werburghs comprises Triassic Redcliffe Sandstone to the south-east of Glenfrome Road, and Triassic mudstone and halite-stone of the Mercia Mudstone Group to the north. The solid geology in the Mina Road Park area and in the valleys of the River Frome and Horfield Brook is overlain by superficial deposits of Quaternary alluvium

Question 3

How does the colonisation of a wasteland begin?

Answer 3

Mosses colonise.

Question 4

What happens during the colonisation of Invasive Species?

Answer 4

Invasive species (Ragwort & Buddleia), grasses and annual flowering plants. Initially these are small species but as conditions become favourable larger species such as thistle colonise and dominate the area and the pioneer plants can no longer thrive.

Question 5

What Species start to colonise after the invasive species?

Answer 5

Woody plants such as brambles will colonise later and subsequently trees could invade the site if left without human disturbance for long enough.