Plagioclimax/Heather Moorlands
- Created by: bethanymcguire
- Created on: 18-05-17 19:20
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- Plagioclimax
- stable plant community which has occurred as a result of human intervention in the natural succession of communities
- intervention such as ...
- Deforestation
- Clearance by fire
- Afforestation
- Animal Grazing
- Heather Moorlands
- develops above 250m/higher altitude which means plants must endure high winds and lower temperatures. high amounts of run off (1250mm)=leeching
- ecosystem of low productivity and low diversity
- so why do we maintain it?
- staple diet of the endangered Red Grouse. it is an economic asset as it is only found in the UK.
- prices to recreationally shoot Red Grouse can be up to $150,000 a week
- home to the endangered Dartford Warbler, sand reptiles and other insects
- valuable evergreen forage plant and many sheep feed on this forage
- staple diet of the endangered Red Grouse. it is an economic asset as it is only found in the UK.
- so why do we maintain it?
- how is it maintained?
- primarily through burning, it is burnt every 15yrs
- however this prevents a climatic climax from being reached. scots pine and birch woodland cannot establish
- only reaches stage 4 of 6 if allowed to (Pioneer(-5y) - Building(-15y) - Mature(-25) - Degenerate(-30y) )
- however this prevents a climatic climax from being reached. scots pine and birch woodland cannot establish
- grazing, it can reactivate the growth of new shoots but over grazing can kill the heather
- primarily through burning, it is burnt every 15yrs
- Scottish Highlands, Exmoor and the Yorkshire Moors
- extent of heather and grouse have declined due to
- Reclamation of low lying land
- reforestation
- overgrazing by sheep and deer
- soil erosion
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