Poynton Pool - Hydrosere

Question 1

Where is Poynton Pool located?

Answer 1

Located in Maccclesfield borough in Cheshire

Question 2

How large is the area?

Answer 2

21 hectares

Question 3

What are the stage 1 plants?

Answer 3

Pioneer community:
- Aquatic plants
- Algae (autotroph)
- Lilies (hydrophyte)
- Pondweed (hydrophytes)

Question 4

What are the stage 2 plants?

Answer 4

• Sedges
• Tussock grass
• Bulrushes

Question 5

What are the stage 3 plants?

Answer 5

• Alder
• Holly

Question 6

What are the stage 4 plants?

Answer 6

Climax vegetation:
- Oak
- Birch
- Hazel

Question 7

Human factors affecting characteristics on the Western side of the pool.

Answer 7

• Means the banks never reach climatic climax.
• Western bank of the Pool is managed by Stockport Federation Angling.
• Areas of the bank are cleared to allow anglers access to the water and for a footpath for the general public.
• There is also an outflow on the western side of the Pool to Poynton Brook which is kept clear of vegetation in order to monitor water levels in the Lake.
• The pioneer species such as the algae and lilies are unable to establish themselves at this point – therefore succession is arrested.

Question 8

Human factors affecting characteristics on the Northern side of the pool.

Answer 8

Housing has been built preventing the development to climax vegetation.

Question 9

Human factors affecting characteristics on the Eastern side of the pool.

Answer 9

The eastern bank of the lake has developed to stage 2 as seen by the bulrushes but sheep grazing in this area has prevented further succession and sheep dung has entered the water on this side, increasing the pH level above the natural levels which inhibits further plant growth.

Question 10

Human factors affecting characteristics in Poynton Pool

Answer 10

Used throughout the year for large scale events such as Bonfires and Open Air Shows so human trampling has an effect on limiting vegetation growth and the vegetation is managed accordingly.