Phipps- ecosystems

Question 1

What is a plagioclimax

Answer 1

Its a plant community that exists when human interventions prevents the climatic climax from being reached.

Question 2

Plagioclimax case study

Answer 2

Heather moorland;
is a plagioclimax that is present due to human intervention.
In the upland areas, trees were removed, no roots to bring nutrients to the surface
so soils deteriorated due to heavy rainfall leaching nutrients out of the soil.
Heather became dominant.

Question 3

What is heather moorland

Answer 3

Heather moorland is a major component of vegetation in the British Isles and mainly in upland areas.

2. Sheep grazing became dominant and prevents the regeneration of climatic climax being reached.
3. unfenced upland areas characterised by heather, bell heather and cross leaf heather.
4. Its famous for grouse shooting and the moorland must be maintained at a ideal habitat for grouse to shelter and breed.
5. Responsible management is responsible for long term survival.
6. Large 75% of proportion remaining is in the British isles and under considerable threat.

Question 4

Case study for Heather Moorland

Answer 4

North York Moor National Park

1. Moorlands are managed by national park authorities.
2. game keepers manage the area.
3. Money from shooting is used to look after the other plants and animals on the moor.
4. Burning of heather leaves a patch work quilt affect on the landscape.
5. Deliberate management policy to maintain the land as heather moorland by burning sections of heather every 3/4 years for new shoots as food for grouse and older taller shoots as shelter for grouse.
6. It protects them from predators as they’re ground nesting birds.

Question 5

Threats and management to heather moorland

Answer 5

1. cigarettes, bonfires and barbecues can burn it.
   Pouches for cigarettes
2. dogs can eat heather and scare sheep causing miscarriage
   …. Put dogs on leads .
3. Burning can cause C02 emissions
4. Peat extraction can cause damage to moorland vegetation.
5. Over grazing- can reduce heather cover and productivity;
   —- Minimise this by removing all livestock during 1st Nov - 28 Feb when heather is most vulnerable
6. Uncontrollable burning- reduces productivity and cover and economic impact in cost of controlling it.
   —- burning small patches- controlled burning is vital part of regeneration and management. This keeps the biodiversity and no burning to occur between 15th April - 31st August
7. Bracken invasion - poisens livestock
   —- Cut leaves twice yearly
   —- herbicides can be used sparingly to control bracken.
8. Carrier crows are threat to grouse as they can eat up to 200 of their newly laid grouse eggs
   …… Larson traps to trap the Carrier crows to prevent them eating it
9. If you stop burning then dominant heather will be replaced by birch and pine
   —- controlled by managed burning will encourage new heather roots.

Question 6

Stages of heather development

Answer 6

STAGE 1- pioneer heather- 5 years 
   - mosses and lichen
   - Small green heather plants
   - limited shelter 
STAGE 2- building heather- 15 years 
   - nutritious heather 
   - good food and shelter for grouse 
STAGE 3- mature heather- 25 years 
    - heather is dominant and becoming woody
    - necessary to burn heather for optimal habitat for grouse 
STAGE 4- degenerate heather
    - heather dying
     - poor food and shelter

Question 7

Characteristics of temperate deciduous wood land

LOCATION AND CLIMATE

Answer 7

Located in areas with warm, moist summer and mild winters. E.g North America, Europe and Asia
Found in areas with summers ranging between 15-20 degrees
Cool winters don’t drop below 0
And moderate rainfall of 1000m- 1500m

Question 8

Characteristics of temperate deciduous wood land

DOMINANT SPECIES AND CHARACTERISITCS

Answer 8

Dominant species include;
Hickories, walnut and chestnuts
Maples, birches and sycamores.
Tall trees are dominant with the tallest being oak reaching up to 30-40m.
Trees have large crowns and large broad thin leaves, so that they can absorb as much energy from sunlight as possible for photosynthesis before leaves shed.
They shed their leaves in autumn to reduce transpiration for when less water is available.
Rich soils which is good for agriculture
Leaf litter increases during autumn and decomposes over summer months.

Question 9

Stratification of temperate deciduous woodland.

Answer 9

Top layer- thickest layer and grows about 20-30m and has the thickest cover
Middle layer- just below canopy is the shrub layer, small trees including Holly, Hazel and Hawthorne and Rowen.
Bottom layer is the Forest floor- consists of grasses, ferns and mosses and thick layer of leaf litter during autumn.

Question 10

ecosystem defintion

Answer 10

An ecosystem is a stable system characterised by the interaction of plants and animals with each other and the non living components of the environment.

Question 11

components of the environment

Answer 11

Biotic components;
Are the living organisms e.g mammels, vegetation (living or decomposing) insects, birds and micro organisms

Abiotic components;
Are the non-living inorganic physical and chemical elements of the eco system. These include climate, relief, soil and drainage and geology.

Eco systems are all about the interaction between the abiotic and biotic.

Question 12

5 5major components

Answer 12

Ecosystems are a natural balance of energy and nutrients between 5 major components.
Climate
Humans
Animals
Vegetations
Soils
a change in one causes a change in another.

Question 13

Biome definition

Answer 13

regional area that shares similar climatic conditions. characterised by plants, animals and climate suited to the area.

Question 14

Biomass definiton

Answer 14

total weight of all biotic living organisms in an ecosystem.

Question 15

Energy flows

Answer 15

Within all ecosystems, nutrients is required for plant growth and is recycled from one store to another.
E.g leaves fall to the ground and as they decompose their nutrients are returned to the soil.

Question 16

litter definintion

Answer 16

dead organic matter (leaves and plants)

Question 17

Soil definition

Answer 17

mainly inorganic- contains weathered rock, water, air and humus ( dead organic material)

Question 18

energy flow diagram

Answer 18

Producers- green plants which produce their own food through photosynthesis using energy from the sunlight.
Primary consumer- also known as herbivores
insects, fish, birds who eat producers.
Secondary consumers- carnivores
meat easters and survive primarily through eating herbivores.
Tertiary consumers- omnivores.
top predators and eat carnivores.
Detrivores and decomposers- bring nutrients back into system- feed on dead material
90% of energy is lost due to respiration, excretion and movement.

Question 19

Food chain vs food web

Answer 19

FOOD CHAIN;
Shows the flow of energy through an ecosystem. There are usually 4 links in the chain just like a pyramid.
FOOD WEB;
food webs are more relative as most consumers eat a varied diet so an animal or plant is likely to be the diet for a number of consumers.

Question 20

Succession definition

Answer 20

A series of changes that take place in a plant community over time.

Question 21

Climatic climax

Answer 21

The final stage of a plant succession in which the vegetation is in balance with the environmental conditions . No change one this stage is reached providing the environmental conditions stay the same.

Question 22

primary Succession

Answer 22

Occurs on the surface that have had no previous vegetation e.g lava flows or sand dunes.

Question 23

Secondary Succession

Answer 23

This follows the destruction or modification of an existing plant community. (landslide, fires and deforestation.

Question 24

sere definitions

Answer 24

each different stage of succession

Question 25

Plagio climax

Answer 25

The plant community that exists when human interference prevents the climatic climax from being reached.

Question 26

Pioneer species

Answer 26

Extremely hardy plants that adapts to survive the harsh conditions.

Question 27

Hydrosphere succession

Answer 27

A hydrosphere Succession occurs in open fresh water such as oxbow lakes and kettle lakes.
2. In time an area of fresh water will naturally dry out ultimately becoming a woodland.
3. In deep fresh water rooted submerged plants are not supported and therefore pioneer plants such as algae and floating plants such as duckweed colonise the water surface.
4. Overtime sediments are deposited by streams causing the water depth to gradually decreases.
This allows submerged plants such as pondweed to grow .
Theses are rooted in the lake bed and therefore trap and accumulate more sediment at the bottom.
5. Overtime the water becomes too shallow to support the submerged plants instead emergent plants such as yellow iris grow.
6. Swamp plants that are adapted to submerged conditions die out and as the marsh floor rises it creates marsh plants such as water mint.
7. Marsh plants generate a lot of leaf litter which build up and forms wet soil.
8. Larger plants such as ferns grow and trees move in, these trees decrease soil moisture by transpiration until the soil is no longer water logged.
9. Willow and alder trees gradually grow.
10. Then climax trees such a birch and ash in time begin t dominate the area becoming a climax woodland reaching its climatic climax.

Question 28

Explain energy cycle

Answer 28

Energy - photosynthesis - green plant producers - herbivore consumers- carnivore consumers- decomposers - soil - GPP

Question 29

Explain nitrogen cycle

Answer 29

Nitrates in the soil - nitrates built up by plant roots into protein - passed onto herbivores - nitrates returned as ammonia (by excreta or decay of organic material) then bacteria converts ammonia into nitrates

1. Nitrogen is necessary for the construction of plant and animal matter.
2. Its in the atmosphere and can be fixed into soil by some plants.
3. Its taken up by the roots by other plants and passed through the ecosystem and it is returned into soil by decomposition.

Question 30

Explain the carbon cycle

Answer 30

1. Arresting factors (human interference) is affecting the carbon cycle.
2. Growing concern that human activity is disrupting the carbon cycle.
3. Many years carbon has been extracted from the environment and stored in the ground as peat, coal, oil and gas.
4. Large amounts are temporarily stored in plants, animals and soils .
5. Burning of fossil fuels and destruction of forests are releasing it back into the atmosphere.
6. Its said to be affecting the climate change and global warming.

Question 31

Nutrient cycle

Answer 31

there are different types of nutrient cycles across the biome.
energy cycle
nitrogen cycle
carbon cycle

flows in the nutrient cycle vary from place to place.
They change how they are stored and the speed in which they move from store to store.
Soils- minerals that come from weathered rock and human that comes from decomposing plant and animal material.

biomass - all living plant and animal material. Takes in energy and carbon from the atmosphere and minerals from soil.

Litter - layer on top of the soil. And is composed from dead and decaying animal and plant material.

Question 32

Tropical rainforest cycle

Answer 32

1. The equatorial climate is ideal for plant growth.
2. Growth is rapid meaning the biomass stored in plants contains a huge proportion of nutrients available.
3. When litter falls its broken quickly due to hot/humid conditions so litter store is small.
4. Heavy rainfall leaches mineral out of the soil and carries it away.
5. if forest cover is destroyed then most of the nutrients supply is lost from the ecosystem.

Question 33

Savanna cycle

Answer 33

In a tropical grassland there is much less biomass in the vegetation.

2. Proportion of nutrients in the litter is much more than rainforest as dead grass rots slowly in the dry season as the area lacks moisture to speed up the decomposition.
3. As plants growth is seasonal they don’t grow all year round theres a greater accumulation of nutrients in the soil compared to rainforest.
4. Leaching is at a low level because of low rainfall and more evaporation meaning less water flows through soil.

Question 34

Deciduous woodland cycle

Answer 34

1. The ecosystem shows pattern of nutrients flows and storage that appears to be midway between the previous two.
2. The forest cover is neither so dense nor high compared to rainforest so theres fewer nutrients stored in the vegetation.
3. Theres comparatively large leaf layers and the autumn leaf fall decays fairly slowly in lower temperatures.

Question 35

characterisitics of a deciduous woodland

Answer 35

1. Located in area with warm, moist summers and mild winters. E.g North America, Europe and Asia.
2. found in areas where the summer temp range between 15-20
   cool winters don’t usually drop below 0
   moderate rainfall between 1000-1500mm
3. Dominant species within this biome are;
   hickories, chestnuts and walnuts
   maples, beeches and sycamores
   Also tall trees are dominant here with the tallest being oak reaching up to 30-40m
4. These trees also have large broad and thin leaves so that they can absorb as much energy from the sunlight for photosynthesis as possible before leaves shed.
   They also shed their leaves in the winter to reduce transpiration at times when less water is available.
5. Rich soils are good for agriculture.
   There is also a lot of leaf litter during autumn months which are then decomposed during summer.
6. Stratification
   Top layer- thicket layer growing 20 -30m. And it has the thicket cover during summer when there is most sunlight.
   Middle Layer- Made up of shrubs and small trees such a holly, hawthore, rowen and hazel.
   Bottom layer- forest floor made up of grasses, ferns and mosses and grown a thick layer of leaf litter during autumn.

Question 36

Savannah grassland location

Answer 36

It is a tropical biome.

1. Savanna grasslands occur in the broadband 5-15 north and south of the equator between equatorial rainforests and the hot desserts of the subtropics.
2. Savannas occupy 75% of africas land
3. They have developed due to a variety of factors including soils, climates and overgrazing of animals and fires.
4. depend on the inter relationship between animals, plants and physical environment.

Question 37

Climate of the savanna grassland

Answer 37

1. the tropical wet and dry climate of Africa shows seasonal variation in wind direction, precipitation and temperature.
2. Climate is transitional between the equatorial rainforest where it rains all year long and the hot deserts of the subtropics where there is minimal precipitation.
3. Variations occur with increasing latitude from the equator.
4. The climate is generally characterised by a dry season in the cooler period and a wet season in the hotter period where up to 90% of annual precipitation falls.
5. The origin of most of the rainfall is the inter-tropical convergence zone ITCZ which forms as a result of intense solar heating. and occurs along the equator.
   Therefore the savanna have a wet and dry season due to the ITCZ migrating north and south of the equator. it migrates north during summer months
   and south during winter months.
   E.g Kano located north of the equator.

Question 38

Savanna grasslands different types

Answer 38

It is a closed system meaning everything is recylced within the ecosystem.

1. Parkland or closed savanna
   - Trees become fewer and grow less closely together
   - tress for a discontinuous cover
   - area receives insufficient rainfall
   - spaces between the trees occur due to roots spreading out and competing for water.
   - after rain grasses reach up to 3m heigh.
2. Savanna grassland;
   - Continous cover of grasses - occasional clumps of trees
   - grasses often form tussocks which help conserve soil moisture
   - Blades of grasses are tough and have waxy leaves to reduce transpiration
   - burn grasses for new shoots at start of the wet season
   - trees adapted to condition
3. Semi dessert;
   scrub takes over the true savanna
   - trees dissapear and tussocks of grasses become scattered and there is bare soil as soil moisture decreases.
   - 0 wet months

Question 39

Soil moisture - savanna grassland

Answer 39

• soils in savanna are commonly leached soils therefore the nutrients are deposited deep within the soil.
• dry seasons silica and iron compounds are carried up the soil.

1. Soil moisture recharge;
   - Occurs thought july and August;
   - This is when precipitation first exceeds evapotranspiration
   - rain water beings to fill the empty pores in the soil
   - when full soil said to have reached field capacity.
2. Soil moisture surplus;
   - Occurs late August and september
   - At field capacity soil is saturated therefore infiltration rates decrease
   - results in surface runoff
3. Soil moisture utilisation;
   - occurs through october
   - evapotranspiration begins to exceed precipitation as more is being evaporated from the grounds and being transpired by plants than is falling as rain.
4. Soil moisture deficit
   - occurs in december
   - soil moisture used up and a deficit occurs
   - plants can only survive if drought resistance or through irrigation
   - period lasts until precipitation is greater than evapotranspiration in early July.

Question 40

Vegetation adaptations ;

Answer 40

1. Vegetation differs in the savanna
2. grasses, trees and shrubs are xerophytic and pyrophytic.
3. vegetation of wetter areas consist of tall coarse grasses with many deciduos trees
4. in dessert margins - shorter tussock grasses become dominant with bare soil between tufts of grasses.
5. trees tend to be deciduous losing leaves in the dry season
6. Plants are microphyllous ( small leaved) to reduce transpiration losses
7. store of nutrients biomass less than rainforest due to shorter growing season
8. store of litter is small because of fires
   ACACIA
   BAOBAB
   GRASSES

Question 41

Acacia trees + Baobab trees

Answer 41

1. flattened canopy as crown structures are often flattened by trade winds.
2. loses its leaves in the dry season
3. fire resistant bark, narrow leaves and a sparse network of branches
4. roots grow deeper than baobab trees meaning they can grow in groups unlike baobab which need wide areas to gather water.
5. Wide root spread near the surface to absorb water.
6. able to maximise water uptake through adapted root network.
7. Thorny twigs

Baobab trees ;

1. thick spongy trunk- 10m in diameter
2. long tap roots
3. Bears leaves for only a few weeks
4. Pyrophytic due to fire resistant bark
5. Small tough leaves to reduce transpiration
6. Stumpy branches
7. Water is stored in the trunk and bark which increases girth
8. Short stumpy roots

Question 42

Grasses in the savanna grasslands

Answer 42

1. they have a variety of adaptations which allows them to grow successfully under drought/fire conditions.
2. Lie dormant until seasonal rains then grow vigorously in large tufts attaining height of 3.5m
3. As dry season advances they turn a pale colour and die back
4. Most are perennial (live for serveral years) as seeds are drought resistant so able to stay dormant for many years.
5. Store food as starch + moisture in root systems.
   6 pyrophytic - grow back immediantly when damaged by fires.
6. following prolonged drought- can absorb water much more quickly after first rainfall.

Question 43

savanna - animal adaptations

Answer 43

1. African elephants ;
   - have a trunk and tusks which keep him alive
   - It uses the tusks in order to protect itself
   - uses trunk in order to drink, bathe and gather food.
   - have a physical adaptation that allows them to access water thats not available to other animals.
   - as baobab trees store water in the trunk the elephant has a physical strength + autonomy that allows it to tear open the trunk and access the water.
2. african wilddogs;
   They have long slender legs to tire out prey
   - Have great eye sight to help them hunt in dusk or dawn
   - multicoloured coat helping it to blend in the surroundings
   - strong teeth so can bite through the bones.
3. Black mamba snake;
   - very effective venom + high flexibility
   - speedy sperpents up to 12mph
4. Chakma baboon
   - Sharp claws to fight of predators
   - fur around neck to keep warm
   - cheek pouches to store food

Question 44

tropical grassland food web

Answer 44

producers = trees, shrubs and grasses
herbivores = zebras and elephants
carnivores = cheetahs and hyenas
decomposers and detrivores = mushrooms, insects and micro-organisms

Question 45

The type of plants which initially colonise a site are influenced by

Answer 45

1. Slop - on horizontal surfaces and gentle slopes, debris accumulates which eventually develops into soil.
2. Moisture availability;
   gentle slops- rainwater accumulates or drains away slowly whereas on steeper slopes faster runoff occurs creating dry areas.
3. Aspect;
   south facing slopes are warmer and drier
4. porosity (ability to hold water)
   surfaces that can hold water are colonised more quickly
5. Surface roughness; allow plants to get a hold whereas grass and metal are too smooth for plants.
6. pollution levels;
   depend upon previous use of site, substances that are toxic to plants (Lead) may lead to contaminate the ground.

Question 46

Colonisation of wasteland

Answer 46

1. Wasteland is associated with inner city areas.
   It includes abandoned factories, demolished buildings, former railways and disused track ways.
2. They vary in size from 0.1 - 10 hectares.
3. plant colonisation in wasteland is represented by a seral progression and which is in majority of cases lithosere.
4. It normally represents temporary land as redevelopment normally occurs.

Question 47

Stage one - the pioneers

Answer 47

1. mosses and lichens are the first to develop on the bare surface.
2. They’re able to exist in areas where theres little water, obtaining nutrients by photosynthesis or from the bare concrete beneath them.
3. when they die they form a thin mat of organic matter, which mixed with weathered mineral matter form a protosoil that plants can root into.

Question 48

Stage two - oxford ragwort

Answer 48

1 cracks in the surface provide a sheltered places for seeds to germinate and also retain moisture and dust - help plants to root.

2. Most common invaders are plants with windblown seeds such as oxford ragwort . This has a long flowering season - 180-190 days may-nov , enabling it to produce millions of seeds.
3. other common plants include wormwood, mugwort and white clover.
4. Many are known as ruderal species as they are able to tolerate waster ground, rubbish and debris.
5. at this stage plant succession is rapid.

Question 49

Stage 3 - tall herbs

Answer 49

1. As these higher plants die off, they produce a more thicker more nutrient rich soil.
2. Taller plants that are more demanding of good growth conditions establish.
3. Most common is rosebay willowherb which spreads initially by seeds then by rhizomes.
4. Other common plants include golden rod, fennel and garden lupin.
5. These plants gradually shade out smaller plants stopping them from photosynthesising.

Question 50

Stage 4 ; Grassland

Answer 50

1. As soil enrichment continues, the amount of grass in the vegetation increases.
2. The smaller meadow grasses from earlier stages are replaced by taller species.
3. Area takes on appearance of grassland- scattered clumps of tall herbs.
4. One invader is Japanese knotweed, thickets of this plant can grow up to 3m in height and their dense canopies shade out plants beneath them.

Question 51

Stage 5; Scrub woodland

Answer 51

1. As the process of soil enrichment and competition continue, taller herbaceous plants are replaced by shrubs and then eventually trees.
2. Early woody colonists (birch) posses light and windbourne seeds. But when herbaceous plants thicken it becomes difficult for small seeded plants to establish, unless there are disturbances occur in the succession.
3. Later trees have larger seeds that can enter a closed vegetation e.g rowan and Hawthorne
4. These able to compete as they grow roots deeper in rock or concrete.

Question 52

Routeways ;

Answer 52

Routeways through and between urban areas create new different ecosystems due to varying factors such as;

1. construction altering the surface
2. Traffic spreads different seeds
3. as long busy route ways where theres little to no human interaction with ecosystem.

Why are they distinctive habitats;

1. exotic species of plants and insects may be brought in by traffic
2. They act like wildlife corridors similar to rural hedge grows.

Question 53

Motor ways ;

Answer 53

1. The soil thats removed from the routeway to build the motorway is piled upon the sides of the roads.
2. When they built the verges are prepared to make a good soil bed.
   3, grass seed mix and flower meadow seed are planted to give a variety of vegetation.
3. Trees and shrubs can also be planted e.g birch
4. Other plant species being to develop and urban niches are developed increasing biodiversity.
5. Nitrogen rich exhaust fumes encourage the growth of some wildflowers.
6. in winter when roads are salted, halophytes such as glasswort can colonise.

Question 54

Railways

Answer 54

1. ALong railways, oxford ragworts grow, this is because wind blown seeds are sucked along by trains allowing these plants to establish.
2. the track is fenced off meaning theres a lack of human interference encouraging wildlife. such as foxes
3. During the days of steam, frequent fires burn out tall species, and allowed light through, allowing light demanding species such as foxglove and primrose to establish.
4. Plants and animals species can also move around cities meaning it could be argued it acts like a wildlife corridor.

Question 55

Canals

Answer 55

Act like a pond, providing a habitat for a variety of aquatic plants such a yellow flag iris.
Attracts water loving insects such as dragon flies and damselflies.

Question 56

Wildlife corridors

Answer 56

1. Routeways also act like a wildlife corridor
2. They are the prime means of physically linking wildlife habitats and allowing some species to move between otherwise isolated areas.
3. Railway lines and motorway verges become wildlife corridors in urban areas as wildlife quickly adapts to the conditions . e.g adapting to noise and wind generated by trains and cars.
4. Industrial sites also provide vital links through peripheral waster ground.
5. Conservation is the main reason why these wildlife corridors are created.
6. Corridors can be non- continuous e.g clumps of habitats not to far apart allowing species to cross.

Question 57

urban sprawl;

Answer 57

1. agricultural land near a city begins to deterioate and are less farmed due to different factors such as ;
   - vandalism - fly tipping
   - pressure of tourism and leisure taking farmland
   - and pressure of tourism by dog walking and cycling ect
   - pollution from traffic, housing and litter
2. farmers care less about land and neglect it.
   all these factors effect the ecology of the area.

Question 58

Planned introduction of new species;

Answer 58

1. Urban areas contain a wide variety of planned habitats including urban forests such as the mercy forest. Here the bluebells species were introduced which are being protected and replanted by bluebell recovery project by british blue bell seeds.
   2, decorative plants along road sides + roundabouts e.g greed seed mix and flower meadow seed planted verges.
2. There are also a range of garden in the urban fringe
   - paved area and patios;
   ecosytems are deliberately destroyed increasing the potential of flooding.
   - well kept laws
   which become monocultues;
   chemicals limit the development of plants and animals, even worms.
   - gardens with exotic imported plants.
   these compete with indigeous species and discourage wildlife species
   - wildlife gardens
   encourage growth of all species creation of high biodiversity.

Question 59

unplanned introduction of plant species;

Answer 59

1. Japanese knotweed;
   - This spread easily via rhizomes and cut stems or crowns.
   - listed under the wildflower and country side act 1981 as a plant thats not to be planted or otherwise introduced into the wind.
   - Specific problems caused japanese knotweed;
2. damage to paved and tarmac areas.
3. reduction of biodiversity by outshading native vegetation;
4. Restriction of access to river banks
5. increased flood risks by damaging flood defence structures an dead stems blocking streams.
6. increased erosion when the bare ground is exposed in the winter.
7. Expensive to treat - £1 per msquared for a spraying regime over 3 years not including relandscaping.
8. Oxford ragwort;
   - seeds persist only briefly in soil.
   - plumed seeds are wind dispersed, in the uk and spread rapidly via the railway network where it found a new habitat.
   - native home is mount etna
   - annual or perennial flowering from (appril- dec)
   - prefer dry, disturbed places (buliding sites and roadsides)

Question 60

troopers hill case study ;

Answer 60

The importance of the hills for wildlife is mostly due to the high number of rare intervebrates that live there, particulary mining bees and bee flies

2. It also the best site for grassland fungi in Bristol
3. While there is no threat to Troopers Hill from development, the heatherland and grassland does need protection from the spread of the adjacent scrub and woodland.

1998- Japanese knotweek spread substantially
2005- Bristol city council policy was to eradicate this permicious weed- herbicide twice a year
2011 - Japanse Knotweed replaced by tall herb vegetation - providing nectar source for insects.

Question 61

background information and aims of troopers hill;

Answer 61

1. lies 1km east of Bristol
2. lies on the northern valley side of river avon.
3. Owned and managed by Bristol city council
   It has two aims;
   1 to provide an area of recreation for local people
4. to serve as an ecological conservation area, and to conserve its special ecosystem that has evolved and adapted to fit this urban environment and which is home to several rare species.

Question 62

site description of trooopers hill

Answer 62

1. Hill side facing south and west, providing spectacular viewa across the city and towards mendiphills.
2. Top is an uneven plateau which slopes steeply down towards the River Avon to the south west.
3. Site is surrounded by the suburban roads.
4. The has previously been extensively worked for minerals.
5. The steep profile means soil quaility is often very poor.
6. The top of the ridge is pre-dominantly fine grasses and mosses.
7. Lower down usually consists of bramle, bracken, which often diffuses into hawthorn and woodland trees at the bottem of the slope around boundaries of the site.

Question 63

History of the site of Troopers Hill

Answer 63

1. 18th century the copper smelting industry established near troopers hill.
2. The industry may have had an effect on the natural environment producing smoke laden with sulphur- could have increased acidicity of soil in surrounding areas.
3. Early 19th century there was quarrying of sandstone for use of building material.
4. But most significant developemnt was the opening of troopers hill pit.
5. colliery mined coals from early 1800s - 1845
6. Site of troopers hill lay derelict until it was brought by the Bristol Council 1932.

Question 64

Vegetation communities and management;

Answer 64

Several vegetation communities have been identified on Troopers hill site. 
Each community has distinct set of management priorities. 
1. Acid heath 
2. Acid grassland 
3. flower meadow 
4. trees
5. scrub 
6. invertebrates

Question 65

Acid heath

Answer 65

1. Ling and bell heather are both found on this site, growing in a matrix of acid grassland.
2. This is considered to be the most important part of the site because its the only heather within in the city of Bristol.

Question 66

Acid Grassland

Answer 66

1. This grows on the very poorest soil with minimal maintenance.
2. In places theres very sparse vegetation cover and mosses colinise the area.
3. bare soil is evident and is considered important for many invertebrates.
   CURRENT MANAGEMENT;
4. Heatherland and acidic grassland are the most important habitat on the site, no other species are allowed to invade the area.
5. Little management is necessary other than preventing invasion of bramble, braken shrubs and trees.
6. However parts of troopers hill have relatively old heather, so might be necessary to cut back areas to encourage regrowth and new seedlings to emerge.
   - situation is monitored annually.

Question 67

3) flower meadow

Answer 67

1. These areas within the site has more fertile soil.
2. It has flora more akin to the meadow with both vigerous grasses and flowering plants.
3. This allowed flower species to bloom and seed before they’re cut down producing attractive mix of grasses and flowers.
4. Modern farming techniques and early mowing means that such meadows are increasingly rare.
   CURRENT MANAGEMENT;
5. Troopers hill is mown annually with arisings or cut grass is removed to encourage a diverse range of plant life as possible.

Question 68

4) Trees

Answer 68

1. While there are some sizeable oaks there are no really large mature trees.
2. Probably due to previous industrial site.
3. Assumption that trees have arrived through natural regeneration from well wooden slopes of the adjacent sites.
4. Main group is oak, birch and scattering willow.
   CURRENT MANAGMENT;
5. Native trees are allowed to colonise the boundaries to act as barriers to give privacy to adjoining properties and shelter for birds.
6. non native species removed when young.
7. All seedling trees are removed from areas of heath and grassland in order to conserve those important environments.
8. Trees are checked every two years as part of the risk assessment regime.

Question 69

5. Scrub

Answer 69

1. its an important components and provides important wildlife habitats.
2. includes all stages from scattered bushes in grasslands to closed canopy vegetation.
3. Dominated by shrubs and few scattered trees.
4. increasing amount of bramble, hawthorn and braken and scrub is present.
   BENEFITS OF SCRUB INCLUDE;
5. landscape feature to frame views and block intrusive views.
6. Provides a variation and relief from very open grassland landscape.
7. Provides habitiats for insects, birds and plants that don’t inhabit open grassland.
8. Provides warmth, shelter and variations in grassland habitats and provides shade.
   CURRENT MANAGEMENT;
9. Disapear if not managed
10. Heather type scrub with broom is managed in order to maintain the presence of typical species on site
11. Hawthorn scrub managed to prevent it from developing into fully grown woodland.
12. Bramble is managed to prevent encroachment onto open areas of heath or grassland.
13. Japanese knotweed is sprayed with herbicide to remove this non native invasive species.

Question 70

6. Invertebrates

Answer 70

1. Many bird and mammel species can be seen but its the invertebrates species that make the site special.
2. There are large number of local rarities and endangered species.
3. The endangered mining bee was found in the year 2000
4. This and other more common bees nests in areas of erosion on the hills, making these areas of bare ground one of the most important habitats on site.
5. in addition to butterflies there are many smaller, less noticable invertebrates on troopers hill.
6. Home to thousands of crickets and grasshoppers
7. Common blues, holly blues, small coppers, marbled whites and brimstone butterflies are all regularly spotted.
   For many reasons its the most important site of its type in the Bristol region.

Question 71

What is biodiversity

Answer 71

Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life in the world, and in a particular habitat. its considered to be important and desirable.

2. maintaining biodiversity is an important part of using the environement in a sustainable way, as greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms.
   - It boosts the ecosystem productivity where each species all have important roles to play conserving environement.
3. recently become environmental problem as theyre being degraded at a accerating rate, causing biodiversity to be lost as a result of the destruction of natural habitats.
4. human activites include
5. in ecosystem biodiversity inversly related to serverity of limiting factors in the physical environment.
6. Biodiversity in costa rica.