Plagioclimax

Question 1

What are some arresting factors that affect plagioclimax?

Answer 1

Afforestation, slash and burn, deforestation and ploughing

Question 2

How many years ago was the Scottish highlands covered in heather?

Answer 2

300

Question 3

What did heavy rain do to the Scottish highlands?

Answer 3

Washed away the top soil and nutrients were lost

Question 4

How is the moorlands used now?

Answer 4

Grouse shooting, tourism, history and recreational uses

Question 5

When are you allowed to shoot the red grouse in the moorlands?

Answer 5

12th August and 10th December

Question 6

In the heather cycle, outline the pioneer phase

Answer 6

0-5years old

Young heather established

Question 7

In the heather cycle, outline the building phase

Answer 7

5-12 years old
Most productive phase
Biomass increased

Question 8

In the heather cycle, outline the mature phase

Answer 8

12-19 years

Small gaps occur in the ground and plants become woody

Question 9

In the heather cycle, outline the degenerate stage

Answer 9

20+ years old

Growth slows and large gaps form between the heather

Question 10

Outline 3 management strategies of the moorlands

Answer 10

Burning the heather, cattle thrive on the heather and burning (releases ash that is taken up by new shoots)

Question 11

What is plagioclimax?

Answer 11

Human intervention that restricts the stage at which succession reaches