Selected habitat: Temperate broadleaf Woodland Flashcards
Where are most temperate broadleaf Woodlands found?
In the northern hemisphere, in Europe, eastern North America and east Asia
What are most of the trees in broadleaf woodland
Deciduous trees that lose all their leaves each year
What does the dominant tree species in a temperate broadleaf woodland depend on
Soil conditions
What are the dominant tree species in British broadleaf woodlands
Beech
Ash
Oak
What type of soil does Beech grow on
Moist soil is for example clay
What type of soil does ash typically grow in
Alkaline soils for example limestone
What soil does oak typically grow in
No specific soil it has a wide range of tolerance
Do you temperate broadleaf Woodlands have major temperature extremes
No
Do you temperate broadleaf Woodlands have a dry season
No pronounce dry season – water is available all year
What are the soils like in temperate broadleaf forests
Deep and fertile
How did the trees play important part in soil formation
Dead organic matter and its retention by vegetation cover and root binding
How does the tree canopy layer affect growth
growth of plants under the canopy is more difficult because they are shaded during a time when the temperatures are best for growth
How do many wood floor plants overcome the shading of the canopy layer
By growing early in Spring before the trees have produced leaves
What plants grow in early spring before the trees produce leaves
British Bluebells
Snowdrops
Lesser celandine
What does the lack of food in winter causes animals to do?
Become less active
Store food
Hibernate
Migrate
What does having a high biodiversity create?
Higher ecological stability
Why is having a high biodiversity important?
No one species is dominant so a change in the population of one species will have a relatively small impact on the overall community of species
What was wood historically important for?
Building construction- timber frames Fencing Tools Carts Wood fuel Charcoal for metal smelting
What food resources are provided for animals and plants?
Deer Wild boar Fruit Nuts Herbs
Where are forests still exploited in the uk?
Commercial timber plantations
What recreation takes place in woodlands?
Walking
Camping
Cycling
Picnics
How do woodlands play a role in the hydrological cycle?
Interception, evapotranspiration, and control of water in the soil
How do broadleaf woodlands sequester carbon?
Plants with woody tissues can build up a store of carbon in their cellulose and lignin that forms wood
Why might woodlands be cleared?
Farmland
Plantations of single species/ non indigenous species
Urban development
Transportation infrastructure (new roads)
Mineral extraction
What is habitat fragmentation?
After woodland clearance areas may be left that are isolated from each other
What is the problem with habitat fragmentation?
If animals cannot move between these areas in each separate population becomes more vulnerable to extinction
What are Wildwood areas?
Areas with virtually no interference
What was the common use of Wildwood areas?
As hunting forests
What are examples of mature standard tree uses?
 Oak the timber frame houses, furniture, and ships
What trees were Produced in coppiced Woodland
Hazel
Oak
tannins
What colour hazel be used for
Fencing or wood panels
What can oak be used for
 charcoal
Pit props
What are tannins used for?
Tanning leather
What is Pollarding?
Similar to coppicing But cutting was carried out at a greater height to reduce the problem of animals eating the regrowing branches
What did the historical method of woodland management create?
Woodlands with high habitat diversity, high biodiversity and high wildlife value
What are the modern methods of woodland management?
Monoculture plantations of single age trees which have a low wildlife value
New woodland areas around field margins
Community forest stand for recreational an amenity use

What is conservation management techniques for Woodlands? (
Coppicing or pollarding to create wildlife habitats
 Creation of woodland clearings to increase habitat diversity
Planting of mixed species Woodlands to increase biodiversity
What makes an ancient woodland in the UK?
One that has existed before 1600
Why was the year 1600 chosen for ancient woodlands?
He Woodlands were deliberately pancake before 1600 so would that is over 400 years old is likely to have develop naturally a long time ago
Are the characteristics of an ancient woodland?
Very high biodiversity because there Has been a long time here is the species to colonise
What can show that a woodland is ancient?
Some species of wild plant colonise very slowly so the presence of many such species is evident that a Woodlands is ancient
What are examples of designated Woodlands in the UK?
Sherwood Forest National nature reserve
Epping Forest SAC
There are many woodland SSSIs

What does the 2012 National planning policy say about Woodlands?
Pan information should be reviewed the development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats unless the benefit greatly outweigh the costs
How can an ancient woodland gradually become degraded?
Overgrazing by deer or deliberate clearance of ground vegetation may prevent regeneration by young trees
Where are new Woodlands typically planted?
Usually on small areas of farmland
What types of trees are typically used in the planting of new woodlands?
A mix of indigenous tree species which are adapted to the local conditions
Why are biological corridors important?
 If they join is the areas of woodland or habitats such as hedgerows which can act as biological corridors linking small fragmented areas of woodland
