The Nutrient cycle: from memory You have 30 seconds to look at the nutrient cycle model and try to remember what you can about it. Then you have 1 minute to draw what you remember. Then another 30 seconds remembering and 1 minute to draw, until you have drawn the diagram in 5 minutes.

UK ECOSYTEMS ------------------------------- 1 Put a 1 on this continuum where you think you are if I asked you to answer this question now. L.O: What are the characteristics of UK ecosystems? ------------------------------- 1

3.3 The UK has its own variety of distinctive ecosystems that it relies on What do I need to know? A. Distribution and characteristics of the UK’s main terrestrial ecosystems (moorlands, heaths, woodlands, wetlands). b. Importance of marine ecosystems to the UK as a resource and how human activities are degrading them.

Moorland / Heathland Deciduous woodland Riverine (freshwater) Marine Construct a list of different types of ecosystems you think we might find in the UK – Here are a few clues below Moorland / Heathland Deciduous woodland Riverine (freshwater) Marine Mountain Sand dune / coastal Urban Grassland

UK Ecosystems

UK Ecosystems

------------------------------- Continuum time… Put a 2 where you now think you are if I asked you to answer this question now. L.O: What are the characteristics of UK ecosystems? ------------------------------- 1 2

How do ecosystems vary in the UK? L.O: To use geographical skills to show the variation in UK ecosystems.

Geographical Skills: Drawing graphs Task: Draw a divided bar chart to show the information in the table. This is what a divided bar chart looks like. You draw it like a normal bar chart, but add the numbers for each type of ecosystem on to each other. All the columns add up to 100%. Type of ecosystem England (%) Northern Ireland (%) Wales (%) Scotland (%) Farming 58 41 42 19 Moorlands and mountains 4 10 Grasslands 16 18 25 Woodlands 7 14 15 17 Wetlands 2 3 Urban 13 5

Geographical Skills: Analysing graphs Task: Using your divided bar chart, write a paragraph to describe the differences between ecosystems in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

------------------------------- Continuum time… Put a 3 where you now think you are if I asked you to answer this question now. L.O: What are the characteristics of UK ecosystems? ------------------------------- 1 2 3

UK Food webs and food chains Put a 1 on this continuum where you think you are if I asked you to answer this question now. L.O: how are UK ecosystems under threat? ------------------------------- 1

UK Food chains Write a definition for a food chain and draw your own example. A food chain shows how each organism gets its food or makes its energy. The food chain describes who eats whom in the wild. Each food chain is a possible pathway that energy and nutrients can follow through the ecosystem. Organisms in food chains are grouped into categories called trophic levels; producers (autotrophs), consumers and decomposers

Who has eaten what? Identify at least 5 “meals”. UK food WEBS Who has eaten what? Identify at least 5 “meals”.

Trophic levels 1 – 4: Identify the meals. Who eats what? 5 – 6: Explain what happens as you go up the food chain, from producers to tertiary consumers. 7 – 8: Challenge Question: Who needs to eat more – a rabbit or an eagle? Explain your answer.

Threats to Ecosystems in the UK The UK is a small, densely populated island nation, the first industrialised country in the world. Eighty per cent of its inhabitants live in towns and cities. From the late 1940s onwards, emphasis in the UK was placed on maximising production of goods to meet human needs for food, fibre, timber, energy and water. How has development in the UK led to ecosystems being threatened?

Quick/slow questions: 1 – 4: Identify 3 factors that are reducing biodiversity of UK habitats. “The UK’s ecosystems are currently delivering some services well, but others are still in long-term decline. Of the range of services delivered in the UK by eight broad aquatic and terrestrial habitat types and their constituent biodiversity, about 30% have been assessed as currently declining. Many others are in a reduced or degraded state, including marine fisheries, wild species diversity and some of the services provided by soils. Reductions in ecosystem services are associated with declines in habitat extent or condition and changes in biodiversity, although the exact relationship between biodiversity and the ecosystem services it underpins is still incompletely understood” Source : The Key Messages of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment 5 – 6: Describe what is meant by “a degraded state” and explain how this could happen. 7 – 8: Challenge Question: Evaluate which factor is the worst for degrading habitats – pollution or over fishing? Explain your answer. Key findings full document

Today, our remaining forests are used mostly for tourism. In the UK Wood from the trees was also used to build the British Navy that helped defend us from invasion from Napoleon and the Spanish Armada. Today, our remaining forests are used mostly for tourism. Wood from the trees helped make and fuel the factories that drove our industrial revolution

How do woodland ecosystems vary in the UK ? Woodland in the UK now covers around 2.8 million hectares representing nearly 12% of the UK land area. Many different woodland ecosystems exist although the greatest land cover is still represented by coniferous forest at around 60% of the total. Mixed woodland Natural mixed woodland in the UK is quite rare simply because there are few native conifers Broadleaved woodland (deciduous) Natural broadleaved woodland consisting of ash, beech, field maple and hazel.

Coniferous woodland Natural coniferous woodland in the UK is now a rare habitat. Only a few remnants of the ancient Caledonian Forest that covered large parts of the Highlands with scots pine now remain. Further south, small areas of yew woodland are all that remain.

------------------------------- Continuum time… Put a 2 where you now think you are if I asked you to answer this question now. L.O: How are UK ecosystems under threat? ------------------------------- 1 2 Now answer the question.

How are UK ecosystems under threat? What do I include in this answer? What do you mean by UK ecosystems? Give a definition for a longer answer question. (6-8 marks) Which ecosystems will you choose? Be specific to areas in the UK. How many threats should you consider? Explain HOW the ecosystems are under threat – are they all under the same threat, or different ones? Now answer the question.

UK MARINE ECOSYSTEMS L.O: To know the characteristics of UK marine ecosystems and why they are pressured.

Quick recap: What changes as you go up the trophic levels?

Pressures on UK ecosystems: Case Study 1: Firth of Clyde An investigation into a local-scale case study showing the growing localised pressures and the extent to which different local groups have conflicting views about how the ecosystem should be managed.  The Firth of Clyde is a 60km stretch of sea water along Scotland’s west coast. The waters of the Clyde are home to 40,000 animal and microbe species. There are also seals, harbour porpoises and large basking sharks. Leatherback turtles and killer whales are also sometimes seen. Task: Draw a quick food web to show the species present in the Firth of Clyde. Extension: How would these species be affected with increasing tourism?

This is Bill the basking shark. He’s a filter feeder. He opens his mouth wide and everything goes in, then his gills filter out all the things that aren’t food, so he doesn’t get ill.

Pressures on Marine Ecosystems MAKE NOTES! Fishing is an important source of local income, along with seaweed harvesting. However, overfishing has caused a massive decline in some species e.g. cod. Due to falling incomes from fishing and farming, local businesses are trying to make more from the tourism and leisure opportunities offered by the water and the coastline. The Firth of Clyde now has the UK’s second-largest yachting centre. Snorkelling and Kayaking are also popular activities. However, all of these activities are disturbing wildlife in the Firth of Clyde. In the past on-land sewage treatment facilities were limited. Waste from toilets often flowed straight into the sea, damaging sea life. This pressure has been reduced due to tougher laws, however there is still a concern. The depth of the Firth of Clyde makes it the perfect location for the testing of the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarines. There are concerns about there being an accident because this would devastate the ecosystem.

Case Study 2: Scallop Fishing in Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran Scallops used to thrive in Lamlash Bay. In restaurants, these shellfish are an expensive seafood delicacy. Scallops live on the seafloor and fisherman harvest them, using heavy dredging equipment made up of heavy chains and rollers. The equipment scours the seabed and in doing so destroys the maerl (a pink coloured cousin of coral). Maerl is an important nursery habitat for many species such as cod, plaice and haddock. The overfishing of scallops has destroyed most of the maerl and these fish species have all but vanished too.  The impacts of this over-fishing of scallops was first noticed by Lamlash residents scuba-diving in the bay. A dead wasteland replaced the previously colourful and species-rich environment. The divers and local residents formed an organisation called COAST (Community of Arran Seabed Trust). The 1,400 strong group started campaigning for a no-take zone to be established in Lamlash Bay as part of a sustainability plan.

The wider aims of the coast group were: Improve the marine environment, and reverse the maerl and fish decline Sustain the livelihood of local people dependant on tourism, as well as fishing. Increase the popularity of the area as a diving and tourist destination  What is a No Take Zone? A NTZ is an area of sea and seabed from which no marine life can be removed by any method. Scientific evidence has shown that NTZs are one of the most effective ways to ensure marine regeneration. In 2008, the Scottish Government made part of Lamlash Bay a no-take zone. All fishing within the specified area has been banned while scientific trials are carried out to see if the seabed can regenerate naturally. The remainder of the bay is now a management area where scallops can still be fished, only in less destructive ways.

Conflicting viewpoints Look at the stakeholders below. Summarise each view and note who would support / disagree with whom … Amateur Anglers – As there are so few fish left in the bay, they can’t fish for fun so believe in leaving the bay to recover. Clyde Scallop Fishermen – They have fished in the bay for many generations and are now extremely concerned about the loss of their livelihood Boat Tour Operators – Agree with the no-fish zone, because they are using glass-bottomed boats and if the bottom of the bay recovers it will improve the view. Due to these problems Lamlash is getting much publicity and plenty of visitors so they are making money. Local Residents – Are very concerned about what has happened to the bay. They agree with the no-fish zone as it will help wildlife. There are however concerns about the number of tourists. Ayr Council – Realise the challenge because they need to support the jobs of the local people (fishermen), whilst supporting the residents of Lamlash bay, the tour boat operators and protecting the wildlife.

COAST …. Future plans In the future the Firth of Clyde could be one of ten stretches of Scottish water that could be designated as a Coastal and Marine Park (CMP). The aim would be to ensure that coastal and marine- based activities are managed in sustainable ways to being long-term economic benefits to people, whilst protecting the environment. The CMP, if established will be run along the lines of Britain’s existing National Parks. In 2013, COAST and the community of Arran and the Clyde celebrated five years of the NTZ being in place. Surveys taken show that after five years, the seabed is now 40 per cent more complex and healthier than the area outside the NTZ. There are higher densities of scallops, crabs and lobsters, both older and larger, being recorded and increased numbers of juvenile cod and haddock.