Woodland Conservation - Ecosystems CONSERVING WOODLAND 2017 - Introducing Ecosystems Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB Community Learning Coordinator We focus on individual action to achieve the bigger picture Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

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

Woodland Conservation - Ecosystems 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 Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

Ecology – what approach? Woodland Conservation - Ecosystems Ecology – what approach? Evolution Habitat Population Community Ecosystem Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

Ecosystems - natural cycles Woodland Conservation - Ecosystems Ecosystems - natural cycles Water Carbon Nitrogen Energy Nutrients Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

Woodland Conservation - Ecosystems Energy & nutrients Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

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

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

Woodland Conservation - Ecosystems Trophic levels Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

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

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.

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

Woodland Conservation - Ecosystems Primary producers… Trees Shrubs Flowers Grasses Sunlight Chlorophyll Water + Carbon dioxide Oxygen + Glucose Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

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

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

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

Detritivores & Decomposers Fungi Millipedes Slugs & snails Woodlice Beetle larvae ?

We use ecology to improve our… …nature conservation

Conservation is about ensuring… Space Food Water Shelter

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.

Connectivity

Natural succession

Diversity Habitat type Habitat structure Aspect Species Populations Genetic diversity Management methods

Ensure ecological niches

Woodland Conservation - Ecosystems …Summer food web Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

Woodland Conservation - Ecosystems …Winter food web Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

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

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

Woodland Conservation - Ecosystems 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 Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB

Woodland Conservation - Ecosystems We all have an important role to play in making space for nature in Surrey! Any questions? Paul Ritchie BSc CBiol CSci MRSB Tel: 01483 795478 Mob: 07891 514574 Surrey Wildlife Trust School Lane Pirbright Woking SURREY GU24 0JN paul.ritchie@surreywt.org.uk Paul Ritchie CBiol CSci MRSB