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CONSERVING WOODLAND 2017 - Introducing Ecosystems Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

CONSERVING WOODLAND 2017 - Introducing Ecosystems Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB Community Learning Coordinator. Who’s afraid of –ologies?. …ecology is fun!. Ecology – what is it?. Ecology is the study of the relationships of living organisms to each other and their surroundings. Genes

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CONSERVING WOODLAND 2017 - Introducing Ecosystems Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

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  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?

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