Heather Moorlands

Question 1

What are the biotic features of a heather moorland

Answer 1

Grouse, Heather, cotton grasses, sundew, wavy hair grass

Question 2

What are the abiotic features of a heather moorland

Answer 2

Rock

Question 3

Is the heather moorlands a plagioclimax

Answer 3

Yes - as they are burnt every 15 years to stop their progression into a climatic climax (the formation of trees)

Question 4

What is the first seral stage

Answer 4

First there is bare rock, lichens begin to colonise this rock (they are the pioneer species) The lichens chemically react and break down the outer layer of the rock. This provides minerals. These lichens then are out competed by the mosses and grasses due to the addition minerals

Question 5

What is the third seral stage

Answer 5

These mosses and grasses die over time and add to the minerals to create soil (from their biomass). Heather then begins to out compete the mosses and grasses as the conditions change and more soil is available

Question 6

What is the third seral stage

Answer 6

Heather begins to dominate the area. (plagio climax)

Question 7

What is the forth seral stage

Answer 7

The heather moorland does not reach the 4th stage. it should begin to develop into a forest however they are burnt before this can happen

Question 8

How has grouse adapted to the environment

Answer 8

the animal life such as Grouse have adapted to have a strong short beak to eat roots, seeds and flower. They have also adapted to blend into the heather due to their fur colour

Question 9

Why is the heather moorland not a forest

Answer 9

Due to industrialisation, humans cut down trees for the resources which left the landscape barren. Furthermore, humans relocated large populations of sheep to the moorland which eat roots and shoots etc which limits ecological development

Question 10

How is grouse shootings also limitng the ecological development

Answer 10

As they are grazing animals, the less grazing animal/…

Question 11

How have humans tried to protect heather moorland

Answer 11

They have set up foundations and charities

Question 12

State 3 types of heather

Answer 12

bell heather
cross-leaved heather
ling

Question 13

How do humans manage heather moorlands

Answer 13

Burn surface layer of woody heather every 15 years before it is mature at 25.
It created nutritious growth for grazing animals and taller heather is good for nesting birds

Question 14

Why should heather moor lands be maintained

Answer 14

It brings in inome from farming and red grouse shooting and it is a iconic historic environment

Question 15

How is heather valuable

Answer 15

Brings in stable diet for red grouse and deer
one of the major food sources of some hill sheep breeds like scotch black face

Question 16

What is the aim of burning heather

Answer 16

To keep heather at its most productive stage

Question 17

What happens if heather is not burnt every 15 years

Answer 17

Succession continues into its climatic climax stage and forest woodland replaces it

Question 18

When was the heather moorland association set up

Answer 18

1986

Question 19

How does grouse shooting contribute to the economy

Answer 19

provides over 1500 jobs and £67.7 million a year to the UK economy

Question 20

How many while red grouse are shot in the red month season

Answer 20

500,000 red grouse are shot in a 4 month season

Question 21

What are the aims of the doorset heathland project

Answer 21

increase heathland by 560h
monitor results of management on bird numbers
offer management services to local landowners
raise awareness

Question 22

What threats do heather moorlands face

Answer 22

invasive species such as pine and birch