Threatened habitats in UK
- Created by: yaycharlie
- Created on: 11-05-14 15:37
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- Threatened habitats in the UK
- Broadleaf Woodland
- Almost all of Britain used to be covered by woodland after the Ice Age. Most of woodland dominated by deciduous trees such as oak, beech & Ash. In parts of Scotland where too cold for these, Scots Pine dominated.
- Traditional woodland management:
- Mature Trees - used to produce large timbers for house & ship construction - valuable nesting for birds
- Coppicing - trees cut to ground level on a rotation every 7 to 12 years. As they regrow they produce thin, straight branches for products such as fencing and wall panels. The mixed habitat produced is very valuable for many species including butterflies, insects & doormice.
- Pollarding - similar to coppicing but trees cut down to about 1.8m. Protects the new growth from grazing live stock, deer & rabbits.
- Importance of native woodland:
- highest biodiversity
- range of recreational activities possible
- regulates water flow in catchment areas around rivers
- Trees reduce soil erosion
- growing forests absorb co2 - help limit climate change
- trees return water to atmosphere by evapo-transpiration & therefore maintain rainfall downwind
- resources - timber & fuel
- Wetlands
- Areas of shallow water (lakes, ponds, marshes,etc) Important to wildlife as relatively rare. Natural silting up & succession = continual loss of wetlands. Habitat, drink, breeding ground(frogs) Remain ice free in winter so birds migrate to escape cold winters elsewhere.
- Threats
- drainage to produce more productive farmland
- urban expansion onto flood plains
- straightening of rivers
- excessive recreation pressure
- bank reinforcement to reduce flooding risk
- pollution from industry, sewage & agriculture
- The Broads
- Richest and most varied habitat in UK
- Threats
- Introduced species such as copyu, damaged banks & caused flooding. Now all been caught & killed
- recreation pressure - litter, noise, trampling, fuel pollution,
- sea level rise may cause flooding & salt water incursions
- Management Strategies
- sediment removal
- public education
- bank protection
- Broadleaf Woodland
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