This raises lots of interesting questions about the biodiversity of woodlands. What questions on biodiversity would the forest managers of Seeley Copse most want to answer - and why?
Woodlands are a rich ecosystem, and its biodiversity can provide food, medicine, materials for building shelters and more. Tree species in a woods can have a high level of genetic variation, therefore, one question that the forest managers of Seeley Copse would most want to answer is ‘How many different tree species do we have?’ A high level of genetic variation would mean that species adaptability and evolution can continue into the future and the forest would survive. Similarly, they might want to find out about the various insects in the forest, because as well as being an indicator species, insects have the ability to adapt to lots of different environmental conditions.
Once the forest managers know the answers to these questions, they can determine the health of the woods, for ‘healthy woodland… would have a huge range of different wildlife species that either live within it or use it at least part of their time.’ Therefore, healthy woodland would support various different species now and in the future.
I've been having a think about this, and I think that Emma's point of asking 'How many different species of trees do we have?' is key, but also it must be asked 'what types of pests and pathogens that could attack or endanger the trees are present?' as well. Pathogens "greatly influence plant populations" (Thomas and Packham, 2007 p241) so it is important to be aware of which ones might be present. Along similar lines, awareness of herbivores is also vital, because a large population of animals such as deer could lead to overbrowsing, resulting in reduction of plant cover.
Thomas, P. and Packham, J. (2007) Ecology of Woodlands and Forests. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (Zoe)
This raises lots of interesting questions about the biodiversity of woodlands. What questions on biodiversity would the forest managers of Seeley Copse most want to answer - and why?
ReplyDeleteWoodlands are a rich ecosystem, and its biodiversity can provide food, medicine, materials for building shelters and more. Tree species in a woods can have a high level of genetic variation, therefore, one question that the forest managers of Seeley Copse would most want to answer is ‘How many different tree species do we have?’ A high level of genetic variation would mean that species adaptability and evolution can continue into the future and the forest would survive. Similarly, they might want to find out about the various insects in the forest, because as well as being an indicator species, insects have the ability to adapt to lots of different environmental conditions.
DeleteOnce the forest managers know the answers to these questions, they can determine the health of the woods, for ‘healthy woodland… would have a huge range of different wildlife species that either live within it or use it at least part of their time.’ Therefore, healthy woodland would support various different species now and in the future.
Emma Barkley, 14th April
http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/why-woods-matter/wildlife/biodiversity/Pages/biodiversity.aspx#.T4kysVHggxF
I've been having a think about this, and I think that Emma's point of asking 'How many different species of trees do we have?' is key, but also it must be asked 'what types of pests and pathogens that could attack or endanger the trees are present?' as well. Pathogens "greatly influence plant populations" (Thomas and Packham, 2007 p241) so it is important to be aware of which ones might be present.
DeleteAlong similar lines, awareness of herbivores is also vital, because a large population of animals such as deer could lead to overbrowsing, resulting in reduction of plant cover.
Thomas, P. and Packham, J. (2007) Ecology of Woodlands and Forests. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
(Zoe)