Kay's AS Geography |
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Small ecosystems - structure, links and succession |
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| Theory | Government Agencies | 'Eco' organisations | Green groups | |
| Biodiversity | Biodiversity - case studies | Scots pine forest case study | ||
| Biomes and global ecosystems | ||||
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The effects of a woodland on microclimate Many A-level texts include material on urban microclimates, but not other small-scale environments. These notes may help. | |||
A basic wordlist of terms used in ecology. http://www.netcore.ca/~gibsonjs/dict3g2.htm
Ecosystems Beginners basics for non-biologists from Natureworks. http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwepecosystems.htm
The dictionary of common names by The Plant Press is for those who need to translate from or into botanical Latin. Typing in a Latin name produces a list in several languages, often including Welsh and Gaelic. The service is free providing no more than 50 translations are involved. http://www.plantpress.com/docn.htm
Botany The best site to search on all matters botanical. http://botany.about.com/science/botany/
Biology pages John Kimball is a retired US teacher and successful textbook author. A good source of information on essential concepts such as trophic levels, net productivity, biomes and food chains. http://www.ultranet.com/~jkimball/BiologyPages/ http://www.ultranet.com/~jkimball/BiologyPages/T/TOC.html#ecology
Introduction to photosynthesis Detailed scientific explanation. More than you'll ever need to know. http://esg-www.mit.edu:8001/esgbio/ps/intro.html Note, not all living organisms use light. http://esg-www.mit.edu:8001/esgbio/ps/other.html
Community and ecosystem dynamics Chapter from online biology textbook. http://gened.emc.maricopa.edu/bio/bio181/BIOBK/BioBookcommecosys.html
| What soils are good for Prof Sally Smith from Adelaide University explains. | http://www.waite.adelaide.edu.au/school/Soil/ |
| Virtual library soil links | http://www.metla.fi/info/vlib/soils/old.htm |
| Podsol soil profile Particularly associated with coniferous forest in northern latitudes where climate is cool and wet. | Coniferous forest case study |
| Notes on soil types. | http://www.pupilvision.com/uppersixth/soiltypes.htm |
| Page explaining basic soil properties (texture, pH). | http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/lsa/liaison/tree_est.htm |
| Profile diagram. | http://www.apokathistemi.co.uk/profiles.htm |
| Soils and vegetation (profiles). | http://jimswan.com/111/soil/soils.jpg |
| Human impact on soils | http://www.wirs.aber.ac.uk/dip/public/modules/impact/lnotes/soils/notes/soils.htm |
| Fred Moor's World of Soil - a very personal set of pages probably aimed at interested gardeners. Links to all sorts of institutions for those who want to 'dig deep'. | http://homepages.which.net/~fred.moor/soil/overview.htm |
| Biodiversity A basic introduction from the Canterbury Environmental Education Centre. http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/biodiversity/ | |
| 'What is a plant?' | http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/biodiversity/0introplants.html |
| Evolution of plants | http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/biodiversity/plants/0evolution.html |
WWF was set up in 1961 and is committed to saving threatened wildlife species and their habitats. Internationally, WWF projects contribute to the conservation of natural habitats such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, coasts and marine areas. Looks for cost-effective, long-term solutions to environmental and conservation problems. Site has weekly news, facts and info and details of campaigns. Takes an ecological approach. http://www.wwf-uk.org
The RSPB is the charity that takes action for wild birds and the environment. Runs 150 nature reserves covering over 100,000 hectares of prime wildlife habitat, and strives to conserve wildlife wherever it lives. Ecological approach. Use the webcam to view the ospreys at Loch Garten in the Abernethy Forest Nature Reserve (native Scots pine). http://www.rspb.org.uk Wildlife page has links for habitats and nature reserves http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/ Birds eye view information database http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds.start.asp
The Wildlife Trusts believe wildlife is essential to a healthy environment for human beings. Works with people from all walks of life - government, industry, landowners, communities and families - to make sure nature gets a chance. http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk The Northumberland trust has several reserves covering a variety of environments including Cresswell/Hauxley (Druridge Bay sand dune complex). http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/northumberland/
The Scottish Wildlife Trust owns or manages over 120 reserves from the Orkney Islands, to the Solway Firth, to the Isle of Eigg to Montrose Basin. Everything from small bat caves and urban nature areas, through wildflower meadows, woodlands, sea-cliffs and peat bogs, to large areas of open moorland, mountains and whole islands.Site has links to information about its Peatland Conservation Campaign (one of its peatland wildlife reserves is Red Moss of Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh). http://www.swt.org.uk/
Woodland Trust Wild about woods. Includes material on identifying ancient woodlands. http://www.wildaboutwoods.org.uk/
Institute of Ecosystem Studies Ecological understanding, intellectual debate and unravelling ecological complexity. http://www.ecostudies.org/
UK Safari A site for anyone interested in the wildlife and countryside of Britain. Features facts, photos, and a free newsletter. The best place for basic information on British plant or animal species (trees, insects, mammals, birds, molluscs). http://www.uksafari.com
| Biodiversity A basic factsheet by the Young Peoples Trust for the Environment. http://www.yptenc.org.uk/docs/factsheets/env_facts/biodiversity.html | |
| Disappearing habitats in the UK | http://www.yptenc.org.uk/docs/factsheets/env_facts/dishabitats.html |
| Ponds | http://www.yptenc.org.uk/docs/factsheets/env_facts/ponds.html |
| Full list of factsheets | http://www.yptenc.org.uk/docs/environmental_facts.html |
Biodiversity A basic introduction from the Canterbury Environmental Education Centre. http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/biodiversity/
Biodiversity From campaign group Friends of the Earth. Good for threats to biodiversity. http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/
Biodiversity Free access pages from Nature magazine. http://www.nature.com/nature/insights/6783.html
UK Biodiversity Find out about biodiversity in the UK, what it means, why it is important and what is happening to conserve species and habitats in the UK and in your area or region. Access the Action Plans - a set of costed strategies and goals that review the UK's biotic resources and establish a basic framework upon which to safeguard our species and habitats. http://www.ukbap.org.uk/
ESAs and Stewardship The conservation of biodiversity is made possible through active partnership between governmental and non-governmental organisations and through primary legislation. Two important schemes are: the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme operated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. http://www.maff.gov.uk/erdp/about/flowchart.htm
Biodiversity Pages from Environment Australia. http://www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/
Broadwaters Virtual pond ecosystem. Interactive diagrams of food webs and the physical conditions within a pond (microhabitats). Well worth a dip. http://www.broadwaters.fsnet.co.uk/ Swallow Pond case study Other sites on ponds tend to be for younger school pupils. To pond dip http://web.ukonline.co.uk/conker/pond-dip/tools.htm To identify pond life http://www.wildkids.org.uk/pondlife/pondidentify/trail_fset.htm
The Countryside Council for Wales did have links to specialist areas such as the Anglesey wetlands and coastal dune NNRs, but many of the pages have been shuffled around and some excellent case studies apparently deleted. From the 'General information' page you will find 'habitats and species' and 'protected sites'. http://www.ccw.gov.uk/
| Sand dunes (psammosere) Dune systems are particularly suitable for studying succession. For background information it is hard to beat Paisley University's pages on British maritime sand dunes. Both components of sand dune systems and the management issues are illustrated by good quality photographs.http://www-biol.paisley.ac.uk/bioref/Habitats/dunes1.html Dr Alan Silverside also provides field notes on Aberlady Bay, East Lothian - the UK's first local nature reserve. http://www-biol.paisley.ac.uk/courses/silverside/EcLandUse/ELUDunes.html | |
Sand dune NNRs 'spotlighted' by English Nature on their site include Holkham (Norfolk), Lindisfarne (Northumberland) and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe (East Midlands). English Nature also has 'Natural Areas' pages which take a look at important stretches of coastal sand dunes, such as Bridlington to Skegness. Use search to find Ainsdale Dunes (Merseyside). |
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| JNCC Action Plan for Coastal Sand Dunes | http://www.ukbap.org.uk/plans/habitats/NBNSYS0000004633.htm |
| Virtual fieldtrip by GeoResources to dunes in N Wales (Aberffraw, Anglesey and Morfa Harlech, Gwynedd). | http://www.georesources.co.uk/csdintro.htm |
| The Sands of Time by Michael Egan of Liverpool Hope University College on the sand dunes of the Sefton Coast, NW England - the largest dune area in England. Very good pages on succession from the strandline to woodland. Also looks at natural change and human impact. Series of Liverpool Bay maps from 1689 to 1970. | http://www.sandsoftime.hope.ac.uk/index.htm |
| Coatham Sands on the Tees Estuary A Newton House Field Centre trip studying spatial patterns in the dunes. Fieldwork, results and conclusions. Chelmsford County High School tackle the personal enquiry for Paper 3 (Investigative Study) of the OCR 9050 syllabus. As published in the Geography Review, March 2001, Vol. 14, Number 4, pp14-17. | http://www.cchs.co.uk/subjects/geography/6thform/resources/sanddune/intro.htm
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Solway Firth, Cumbria An example of the management of a coastal AONB. Described as mudflats fringed by saltmarshes that bustle with birdlife, sand dunes that shelter rare and delicate flowers and low peat domes of the coastal moss. Aberdeen University host the Solway Firth partnership and the Solway Rural Initiative has Solway coast site. Saltmarsh classed by English Nature as of international importance. http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sfp/ http://www.solwaycoast.co.uk
Dibden Bay, Hampshire A Public Inquiry has commenced into a proposed new port terminal at Dibden Bay, on the west side of Southampton Water and on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire. The RSPB has objected to the proposal because of its impact on birds, other wildlife and inter-tidal habitats. http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/sites/dibdenbay.asp
Rising Sun Country Park A 400-acre brownfield site which has been redeveloped to include an organic farm, Wallsend Swallow Pond local nature reserve and a countryside centre. The park offers an alternative to the built-up world that surrounds it by looking towards a sustainable future involving an integration of nature conservation, farming, renewable energy, small business and the local community. North Tyneside Council site. http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/enviro-heritage/ris_park/index.shtml
Scots
pine 'native' coniferous forests
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Land use in Wales Website The University of Wales School of Agriculture and Forest Sciences at Bangor runs this site which includes maps (eg of soil types). http://www.bangor.ac.uk/~afs047/tirwe/home.htm
The Tees Forest One of twelve community forests in England. http://www.teesforest.org.uk/
Mangrove forests For something more exotic, try Oxfam's case study. There are more than 70 species of mangrove tree. What makes them different from other trees is their ability to live in a salt-water environment. http://www.oxfam.org.uk/atwork/mangrove/mangr1.htm
The Florida Everglades South Florida Information Access for the background and current ecological issues. http://sofia.usgs.gov/ Plan to resuce the Everglades under the Water Resources Development Act 2000. http://www.evergladesplan.org/
Chesapeake An ecosystem adversely affected by a combination of nutrient enrichment, toxic substances, sediment, and overharvesting of shellfish and finfish. Find out about the USGS activities in the region. http://chesapeake.usgs.gov/
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The Biodiversity
Convention agreed at the Rio
Earth Summit recognised the importance of conserving
'biodiversity' (biological diversity - in other words all
the different species and sub-species of living things on
Earth, and the many interconnections between them). The
1992 EC Habitats Directive aims to establish a series of protected
areas on land and at sea which will represent
some of the finest nature conservation areas in the
European Community. Government agencies advise
politicians on designation. One of the responsibilities
of these agencies is to ensure the conservation and
enhancement of habitats, species and landscapes.
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The JNCC is the Government's adviser, undertaking national and international conservation work on behalf of the three country nature conservation agencies English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales. |
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/ | |
| The UK Biodiversity website supports the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). Includes the report 'Sustaining the Variety of Life: 5 years of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan' and the species and habitat action plans. | http://www.ukbap.org.uk/. | |
| English Nature is the main government conservation agency for England and has statutory reponsibilities including listing SSSIs. | ||
England: For a definition of national nature reserves (NNRs) and links to spotlighted reserves. |
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England: Natural Areas have been identified using information from a range of sources including geological maps, landscape accounts and data on the distribution of habitats and species. There are 97 terrestrial and 23 maritime Natural Areas covering the whole of England. |
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| Scottish Natural Heritage Aims to help people enjoy Scotland's natural heritage responsibly, understand it more fully and use it wisely so that it can be sustained for future generations. Read about the proposed Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park (Scotland's first!). | ||
| Scotland: For NNRs, local nature reserves and the 21 natural heritage zones (scenic areas - currently being defined), use the A-Z index from the homepage. | ||
| The Countryside Council for Wales is the Government's statutory adviser on sustaining natural beauty, wildlife and the opportunity for outdoor enjoyment in Wales and its inshore waters. Map of protected sites in Wales well worth a look (protected sites inc NNRs). | ||
| The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising Government and taking action on issues relating to the social, economic and environmental well-being of the English Countryside. They are working to conserve and enhance the countryside, promote social equity and economic opportunities for people who live there. | ||
| The Forestry Commission has a new website. Education pages are still being developed, but has press releases and links to major policy documents. Pages for each 'national' government. | http://www.forestry.gov.uk/ | |
| Northumberland http://www.nnpa.org.uk | North York Moors http://www.northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk | |
| Lake District http://www.lake-district.gov.uk | Yorkshire Dales http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/ | |
| Peak District http://www.peakdistrict.org | Exmoor http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/ | |
| Dartmoor http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/ | Pembrokeshire Coast http://www.pembrokeshirecoast.org/ | |
| Brecon Beacons http://www.breconbeacons.org | Broads (Norfolk) http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/ | |
| Snowdonia http://eryri-npa.gov.uk/ | New Forest http://newforestcommittee.org.uk/ | |
| ANPA (Association of National Park Authorities) | CNP (Council for National Parks) | |
| The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park came into being on July 24th 2002 (Scotland's first!) http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org One source of conflict here is the problem of noisy speedboats - the 7mph limit near shore is widely flouted. When Windermere imposed a speed ban in 1996, the fastest boats moved to Loch Lomond. The Cairngorms National Park is due to open in March 2003 and will be the largest national park in Britain. See http://www.snh.org.uk for further information on Scotland's parks. | ||
| Impact
of tourism on the countryside Slideshows of
footpath erosion and management in the Peak District. http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/westonroad/geog/tourism/index.html Upland footpath management http://freespace.virgin.net/andy.carling/home.html |
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| Friends of the Earth | http://www.foe.org.uk |
| Greenpeace | http://www.greenpeace.org |
| Envirolink | http://www.envirolink.org |
| WWF (World wide fund for nature) | http://www.wwf-uk.org |
