Methods of habitat conservation in the UK Flashcards
Semi natural habitats
Habitats created and maintained by human activities
Grazing
Wildflower meadows
Field boundary maintenance
Hedges act as biological corridors for dormice.
Hawthorn berries provide food
Maintenance of cover
Small woodlands encouraged for pheasants provide habitat, food, breeding grounds for mammals and birds
Moorland burning
Maintained primarily on grouse moors.
Silver-studded blue butterfly caterpillars feed on young heather encouraged by burning.
Hen harriers nest between heather plants and feed on small birds and mammals.
Fishing
One of the most popular outdoor sports so maintenance of rivers and lakes is vital.
This protects species such as water voles, kingfishers, and otters from pollution and development.
The economic value has led to the creation of many small lakes and old quarries being turned into fisheries
Case study: River test
In Hampshire, the river test is a clean aquifer fed chalk stream.
It is a valuable habitat for water voles, otters and kingfishers.
It is managed primarily for trout fishing, but wildlife conservation is a high priority.
Bank repairs and islands maintain the flow to create trout breeding grounds.
Branches used for bank vegetation are ideal for wildlife habitat
Case study: woodland management
Coppicing and pollarding create varied habitats with areas of different tree growth.
The regular cutting cycles increase habitat diversity and provides ideal conditions for species like dormice, bluebells and the white wood butterfly
Broadleaf woodland
Mature trees were used to produce timber for housing and shipping. These are valuable for nesting birds and bats.
Coppicing produces thin straight branches ideal for fencing and wall panels. These are valuable for many butterflies, insects, and dormice.
Pollarding protects new growth from grazers like livestock and deer.
Importance of native woodland
Terrestrial habitat with highest biodiversity
Range of recreational activities possible
Regulates water flow
Reduces soil erosion
Carbon sink
Maintains inland rainfall via transpiration
Supply of sustainable fuel
Provides timber
Change in woodland type issues
Monoculture
Imported species
Little undergrowth possible
Herbicides kill wildflowers
Threats to wetlands
Drainage for more productive farmland Urban expansions onto flood-plains Straightening of rivers Excessive recreation pressure Bank reinforcement Pollution from industry, sewage, and agriculture
Threats to The Broads
Secondary succession has taken place due to different transport methods. Eutrophication. Introduced species. Recreation pressure. Global climate change.
The Broads management strategies
Sediment removal from rivers
Phosphate removal from from liquid sewage
Copyu eradication
Carr woodland and reed bed clearance followed by the re-establishment of commercial reed cutting
