1 / 30

CONSERVING WOODLAND 2017 - Introducing Ecosystems Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

Explore the intricate relationships in woodland ecosystems, from genes to trophic levels, and understand the conservation strategies for maintaining biodiversity in Surrey. Learn about the importance of ecological niches, food webs, and habitat diversity in ecosystem resilience.

buerger
Download Presentation

CONSERVING WOODLAND 2017 - Introducing Ecosystems Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. CONSERVING WOODLAND 2017 - Introducing Ecosystems Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB Community Learning Coordinator

  2. Who’s afraid of –ologies? …ecology is fun!

  3. Ecology – what is it? Ecology is the study of the relationships of living organisms to each other and their surroundings. • Genes • Cells • Tissues • Organs • Organisms • Populations • Communities • Ecosystems

  4. Ecology – what approach? • Evolution • Habitat • Population • Community • Ecosystem

  5. Ecosystems - natural cycles • Water • Carbon • Nitrogen • Energy • Nutrients

  6. Energy & nutrients

  7. Abiotic factors • Geographical – altitude, latitude, aspect & slope • Physical– temperature, light, humidity, space, wind & soil texture • Chemical – oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, pH, salinity, minerals & contaminants • Natural cycles – water, carbon, nitrogen, energy & nutrients

  8. Biotic factors • Herbivores (grazing & browsing) • Carnivores - predating • Detritivores - bacteria, fungi & mini-beasts (recycling) • Population dynamics • Succession - age of habitat affects diversity with time for colonisation by rare and specialist species

  9. Trophic levels

  10. Population dynamics Large size, small numbers & few predators Predator population decrease NEGATIVE FEEDBACK Size Food Decrease Food Increase Predator population increase POSITIVE FEEDBACK Density Small size, large numbers & many predators

  11. Factors affecting habitats in UK? On a broad scale Britain lies in the temperate woodland biome. There are 64 different types of habitat in Britain and Ireland. Q: Can you think of what causes this diversity? As well as climate geology affects both soils and vegetation cover.

  12. Climax community (12% of UK) • Wildwood - dominated by trees? • Ancient woodland – trees present since 1600 • Semi natural woodland – trees coppiced, felled & planted • Primary woodland – trees never been cleared or replanted • Secondary woodland – natural succession from open habitats • Plantation – artificially planted for timber crop, often exotic species

  13. Sunlight Chlorophyll Primary producers… • Trees • Shrubs • Flowers • Grasses Water + Carbon dioxide Oxygen + Glucose

  14. Primary consumers • Caterpillars • Butterflies & bees • Grasshoppers & crickets • Slugs & snails • Seed-eating birds • Rodents • Deer • Cattle?

  15. Secondary consumers • Ground beetles • Spiders • Centipedes • Frogs & toads • Insect-eating birds • Hedgehogs • Fox • People & pets?

  16. Tertiary consumers • Dragonflies • Spiders • Insect-eating birds • Raptors • Owls • Grass Snake • Badger

  17. Detritivores & Decomposers • Fungi • Millipedes • Slugs & snails • Woodlice • Beetle larvae • ?

  18. We use ecology to improve our… …nature conservation

  19. Shelter Conservation is about ensuring… Food Water Space

  20. Our strategy for conservation… Living Landscapes a strategy for achieving a coherent and resilient ecological network within Surrey for future generations… …making space for nature! Connectivity between habitats & resilience to ecosystems.

  21. Connectivity

  22. Natural succession

  23. Diversity • Habitat type • Habitat structure • Aspect • Species • Populations • Genetic diversity • Management methods

  24. Ensure ecological niches

  25. …Summer food web

  26. …Winter food web

  27. Woodland conservation - old growth • Ancient trees • Standing deadwood • Fallen deadwood • Fungi - symbiotic • Fungi – miccorhizal • Fungi – decomposers • Epiphytic flora & fauna • Invertebrates

  28. Maintain light & open areas • Rides & glades • Scrub edges • Meadows • Nectar bearing plants • Berry producing shrubs • Large grazing & browsing herbivores • Ponds & streams

  29. Summary… • Definition of ecology • Ecosystem approach – cycles & webs • Energy flow & food chains • Trophic levels & populations • Woodland food webs • Conservation strategy on landscape scale • Woodland conservation

  30. We all have an important role to play in making space for nature in Surrey! Any questions?

More Related