[Part 3]- TOPIC 3: Ecosystems, biodiversity and management 🐙🪼 Flashcards
1
Q
What are the UK’s four main terrestrial ecosystems ?
A
-* the UK’s four main terrestrial ecosystems are:*
- heaths
- moorlands
- wetlands
- woodlands
2
Q
Where are heaths found ?
A
- heaths are found in lowland areas of heath in the south of England. For example, the new forest and the Dorset heaths.
3
Q
Where are moorlands found ?
A
- moorlands, are found in upland areas. For example, in Scotland, Northern England and Wales.
4
Q
Where are wetlands found ?
Hint: the Somerset levels
A
- wetlands are often found on floodplains [e.g- the Somerset levels]
- ; they can also be found in some upland areas, as well as near rivers or lakes too- [e.g- the Norfolk broads in east anglia.]
5
Q
Where are woodlands found ?
A
- small areas of woodlands can be found throughout the UK’s lowlands, since they use to cover most of the UK.
- ; larger areas can include: the Forest of Dean [southern England], and Kielder forest [which is located in northern England.]
6
Q
What is a terrestrial ecosystem ?
A
- a terrestrial ecosystem, is a ecosystem that is land-based.
7
Q
What are the distribution of heaths ?
A
- distribution- heaths, are found in lowland areas, meaning different types of species can survive there.
8
Q
What are the characteristics of heaths ?
Hint: landscapes
A
- characteristics- open landscapes with poor soils, such as: dry and sandy soils [mainly in the south and east of the UK] and wet and peaty soils [in the north and west of the UK]
- heaths can also provide habitats for rare plants, such as yellow centaury, a species of a thorny plant.
9
Q
What else can you tell me about the characteristics of heaths ?
A
- heaths also have plants which provide habitats for lots of insects= provides food for birds [e.g- nightjars] and rare reptiles, such as sand lizards.
- heaths’ soil are acidic and receive a high amount of rainfall- this affects the kind of plants which can grow in heaths- [the main plants are: grasses, gorse and heather]
10
Q
What are the distribution of moorlands ?
A
- moorlands are upland ecosystems, meaning different species survive there.
11
Q
What are the characteristics of moorlands ?
Hint: provide
A
- moorlands provide habitats for important animals and birds- [e.g- mountain hares, golden plovers and hen harriers.
- most moorlands areas are typically used for: grazing animals [such as sheep] and to raise wild birds such as grouses. Grouses are a species of wild bird, that are shot for sport.
12
Q
What do grouses do in moorlands ?
A
- grouse eat the shoots of the heather, and nest in the plants each year.
- this is to encourage new growth of heather, for the grouse to eat, areas of heather moorland are burnt.
13
Q
What else can you tell me about the characteristics of moorlands ?
A
- -characteristics- like heaths, moorlands are open landscapes with poor soils, and few trees.
- on flatter ground, the soil in moorlands can become waterlogged, therefore creating a bog.
14
Q
What can you tell me about vegetation in bogs ?
A
- in bogs, vegetation slowly decomposes, therefore this will form a layer of peat.
- this layer of peat, cam store large amounts of water and carbon.
14
Q
What are the distribution of wetlands ?
A
- found in places where soils are waterlogged for most of the year- [e.g- bogs], wetlands can also includes place that flood seasonally.
- For example, the Somerset levels.
