Heaths and moors Flashcards
What is a heathland?
physiognomically-distinct type of vegetation, dominated by ericoid dwarf shrubs.
What is Heather?
Calluna vulgaris, most important and characteristic orchid in British heaths
What are the other main species of heather?
Bell heather and cross leaved heather
What diversity and conservation do heathlands have and why?
Low diversity, high conservation, as a low nutrient status and acidic soil, however, much of vegetation type is restricted to the UK
What are upland heaths?
Above upper edge enclosed agricultural land, 300-400m above sea level, 2-3 million hectares in the UK
What are lowland heaths?
Grows at altitudes less than 300m58 000 ha in the UK, which is 20% of the worlds total
What types of soil is characteristic of heathlands?
Podsols
How are podsols characterised?
characteristic of cool, wet climates
have intense eluviation of surface horizons
nutrients and bases leached are from upper horizons, a massive store of carbon
How are peaty podsols produced?
water logging of upper horizons can stimulate peat formation
How much carbon is stored in UK peatlands?
3 billion tonnes, more than forests of Britain and France combined
When did most heathland originate?
In or after Bronze Age
When did heather dominate the moors of Sheffield?
400 AD, more recent in many moors
How are moors managed for Lagopus scoticus scoticus, the red grouse?
Abundance of grouse strongly affected by availability of its main food source, young heather shoots. Rotational burning used to increase amount of edible biomass
What are the problems with burning in the moors?
moorlands intrinsically nutrient poor, but smoke and ash cause further nutrient loss
How many nutrient loss in smoke be balanced out?
By nutrient inputs in rainfall
Which nutrients are most at risk of loss from smoke?
N, P, S, N and P most critical as will limit growth, not replenished for 12 years
What is afforestation?
establishment of trees in an area where there was previously no tree cover
What is the problem with reforestation of heathland?
Loss of diversity or distinctive species and the loss of visual appeal and amenity value. Conifer woodlands generally species poor
Why might reforestation be appealing?
Conifers not necessarily more species impoverished than moorlands
Other woodland types may be more appealing e.g. deciduous
What happened when they reforested Broxa?
Was possible to grow birch trees, but even after 70 years trees were small and had no real commercial value, and no greater biodiversity than coniferous woodland
What happened when they reforested tulchan?
Planting birch was successful, led to important soil change,
