Woodlands Flashcards
What is the Vera Hypothesis in relation to woodland history?
The Vera Hypothesis suggests that prehistoric woodlands in the UK were not closed forests, but instead a mixture of open woodlands and savanna-like habitats, maintained by large herbivores such as wild cattle and horses.
How did the Ice Age influence woodland cover in the UK?
The Ice Age caused large parts of the UK to be covered by glaciers, destroying much of the existing woodland. As the ice sheets retreated, woodland began to regenerate, but the composition and extent were influenced by the warming climate and human activity.
What is meant by Wildwood?
Wildwood refers to the natural state of woodlands before human intervention, characterized by dense, complex, and biodiverse ecosystems with minimal human disturbance.
What changes in woodland cover occurred during the Mesolithic period
The Mesolithic period (Middle Stone Age) saw the first significant human impact on woodlands, with hunter-gatherers clearing areas of forest for habitation and food resources, beginning the trend of deforestation.
What human activities during the Neolithic period influenced woodland cover?
During the Neolithic period, the introduction of agriculture led to widespread clearing of woodlands for farming, leading to significant deforestation across the UK.
How did the Bronze Age affect woodland cover?
The Bronze Age saw increased deforestation due to the expansion of agriculture and the need for timber to support growing populations, along with the use of wood for building and fuel.
What role did the Iron Age play in shaping woodland cover?
A: During the Iron Age, human settlement expanded, and more forests were cleared for farming, settlements, and iron smelting, which further impacted woodland cover.
How did the Roman period affect woodland cover?
The Romans introduced new farming techniques and infrastructure (like roads and towns), which resulted in additional deforestation in the UK to support these developments.
What was recorded about woodland cover in the Domesday Book?
The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, recorded the extent of woodlands and forests across England, showing the importance of forests for resources such as timber, fuel, and hunting grounds.
How did the Middle Ages affect woodland management?
In the Middle Ages, woodlands were increasingly managed for timber production, hunting, and fuel. Forest laws were introduced, controlling how woodlands were used.
What impact did the Industrial Revolution have on woodland cover?
The Industrial Revolution led to massive deforestation, with woodlands cleared for coal mining, ironworks, housing, and agricultural expansion, which resulted in a significant reduction in woodland areas.
What was the effect of the First World War on woodlands?
The First World War led to the destruction of woodlands for timber needed for military purposes and infrastructure, as well as the abandonment of some rural areas due to agricultural disruption.
How did the Forestry Commission influence woodland cover?
Established in 1919, the Forestry Commission aimed to increase woodland cover in the UK by planting non-native conifer species and managing woodlands for timber production.
What impact did the Second World War have on woodland cover?
The Second World War caused further woodland destruction as timber was needed for war efforts. However, it also spurred the replanting of forests and more attention to the sustainable management of woodland resources.
What were the effects of post-war destruction in the 1950s and 60s on woodlands?
Post-war destruction saw the loss of woodlands due to urban development, agricultural expansion, and increased demand for timber. However, there was also a shift towards reforestation and land conservation.
What are ancient woodlands?
Ancient woodlands are those that have been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD. They are important for biodiversity, containing unique species and complex ecological structures.
What is the difference between primary and secondary woodlands?
Primary woodlands are undisturbed by human activity and have developed naturally over thousands of years, while secondary woodlands have been created or altered by human influence and disturbance.
What is veteranisation in woodland management?
Veteranisation involves creating conditions for older trees to become veterans (ancient or over-mature trees), enhancing biodiversity by providing habitats for species that depend on decaying wood.
What are microhabitats in a woodland ecosystem?
Microhabitats are small-scale habitats within a woodland that support specialized species, such as deadwood, leaf litter, ponds, and streams, each providing unique ecological functions.
What is the ecological significance of deadwood in woodlands?
Deadwood plays a critical role in woodland ecosystems by providing habitats for fungi, invertebrates, and birds, and by contributing to nutrient cycling as it decays.
What is the difference between ancient woodlands and ancient semi-natural woodlands?
Ancient woodlands have been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD, while ancient semi-natural woodlands have been influenced by human activity but still retain a largely natural composition.
What are primary woodlands?
Primary woodlands are undisturbed by human activity and have naturally developed over thousands of years.
What are secondary woodlands?
Secondary woodlands have been created or altered by human activity, such as replanting or recovery after disturbance.
What is succession in woodland ecosystems?
Succession refers to the gradual process by which plant communities change over time, eventually reaching a climax community.
What is coppicing with standards?
Coppicing with standards involves cutting trees back to the stump while allowing some trees (standards) to grow to maturity, providing a mix of timber types and habitats.
What are wood pastures?
Wood pastures are landscapes where trees and open land are managed together, often with grazing animals, to create a biodiverse habitat.
What is pannage in woodland management?
Pannage is a practice where pigs are allowed to forage in woodlands, feeding on acorns and other woodland resources, contributing to habitat management.
What are wood banks?
Wood banks are boundary markers in woodlands, often made of earth or stone, used to demarcate woodland boundaries.
What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data in woodland surveys?
Quantitative data is numerical (e.g., species counts), while qualitative data is descriptive (e.g., habitat quality).
What is stand composition in a woodland survey?
Stand composition refers to the species and age structure of the trees and plants in a specific area of the woodland.
How do abiotic and biotic factors influence species abundance and diversity in woodlands?
Abiotic factors like soil type, light, and water availability, along with biotic factors like competition and predation, determine the types of species that can survive and thrive in a woodland.
What is natural regeneration in woodland management?
Natural regeneration involves allowing woodlands to regenerate naturally through seed dispersal and growth without human intervention.
How is thinning used in woodland management?
Thinning involves selectively removing trees to reduce competition and encourage the growth of remaining trees.
What is clearance in woodland management?
Clearance involves removing vegetation or trees to reduce overcrowding, promote new growth, or create space for new woodland habitats.
What is agroforestry?
Agroforestry is a land management system that integrates trees with crops and livestock, enhancing biodiversity and providing multiple sources of income.
What is a silvicultural system?
A silvicultural system is a set of practices used to manage forests and woodlands to meet specific objectives, such as timber production, biodiversity conservation, or recreation.
What is the purpose of scalloping in woodland management?
prevents wind tunnelling
creates structural diversity
creates open space
What is ecotone in woodland management?
An ecotone is a transitional area between two different ecological communities, such as a woodland edge, which can have higher species diversity.
