Answers on a post card...........3
- Thread starter Jack
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Just curious, but how does one answer a woodland question about postcodes? Or was that to mail the answer stuck on top of a postcode?
Postcode on a postcard?? :-D
Postcode on a postcard?? :-D
Right as Keith Beef has been very patient here it is!
There is one remarkable thing that makes woodland stand out from any other natural habitat and that is it’s height.............I can feel an article coming on here but that is for when we have got the answer’s this question.
You don’t see it anywhere in nature but you do see it in towns and cities, oddly enough as it is man made.
So if you walk into the woodland I work, you will see that the composition is profoundly complex. As we know, our ancient woodlands are most diverse habitat outside the tropical rain forests. For woodland to be at is most diverse it needs to have the whole structure of a natural woodland in place. The woodland I work ( as was pointed out the BCUK members who came down on the hurdle making course) has the whole lot in places and only to components in others.
Now, we call these components that make up a woodland ‘layers’. As I said earlier some only have two and some have the whole lot.
So the questions are;
1. How many ‘layers’ are there in woodland?
2. What are they called?
3. Why are some missing?
4. Why do some woodlands have the lot?
5. Can we re establish the missing layers?
6. Does it matter if there are missing?
7. And what lives in each layer, species etc!
Now that, I hope, should keep you busy!
Best wishes.
Jack.
There is one remarkable thing that makes woodland stand out from any other natural habitat and that is it’s height.............I can feel an article coming on here but that is for when we have got the answer’s this question.
You don’t see it anywhere in nature but you do see it in towns and cities, oddly enough as it is man made.
So if you walk into the woodland I work, you will see that the composition is profoundly complex. As we know, our ancient woodlands are most diverse habitat outside the tropical rain forests. For woodland to be at is most diverse it needs to have the whole structure of a natural woodland in place. The woodland I work ( as was pointed out the BCUK members who came down on the hurdle making course) has the whole lot in places and only to components in others.
Now, we call these components that make up a woodland ‘layers’. As I said earlier some only have two and some have the whole lot.
So the questions are;
1. How many ‘layers’ are there in woodland?
2. What are they called?
3. Why are some missing?
4. Why do some woodlands have the lot?
5. Can we re establish the missing layers?
6. Does it matter if there are missing?
7. And what lives in each layer, species etc!
Now that, I hope, should keep you busy!
Best wishes.
Jack.
Jack said:Keith_Beef said:Come on, Jack, ask the question, before I post the answer
Keith.
:rolmao: :rolmao: :rolmao:
I didn't want to sound facetious, but I could smell a question about glow-worms coming on...
And I was getting impatient.
Keith.
I am going to go for 5 layers, a canopy of large, mature trees, oak, beech, birch, ash, poplar and so forth, an understory of smaller trees, could be the same species but includes things like holly, hazel, elder, and hawthorn. Under that you have bushes, stuff like snowberry, brambles. Then there are the lower, ground cover plants, grasses, ferns, dogs mercury (think that is right), and nettles. Lastly there is the leaf litter.
Going with those layers, there is a lot of blurring as one layer goes into the next. Brambles for instance can be anything from ankle high to over head height, hence offering different ammounts of cover.
Layers can be missing because they have been choked out by other layers, beech and yew supress pretty mugh everything down to the litter level. Some woods aren't old enough to have the upper layers and are populated by scrubby trees and plants that like more sun. Grazing animals can clear out everything lower than established trees, even the litter can take a pounding.
Some layers can be replaced, it can be easy, or hard depending on the place, the layer that is missing and why it isn't there. They all take time.
I would hazard that you don't really need all the layers together in the same place. It can be as good to have some layers in one area of a wood, and other layers somewhere else, different combinations?
I could go on, but think I have rambled long enough :roll:
Jack, we need a "rambling on" smiley
Chris
Going with those layers, there is a lot of blurring as one layer goes into the next. Brambles for instance can be anything from ankle high to over head height, hence offering different ammounts of cover.
Layers can be missing because they have been choked out by other layers, beech and yew supress pretty mugh everything down to the litter level. Some woods aren't old enough to have the upper layers and are populated by scrubby trees and plants that like more sun. Grazing animals can clear out everything lower than established trees, even the litter can take a pounding.
Some layers can be replaced, it can be easy, or hard depending on the place, the layer that is missing and why it isn't there. They all take time.
I would hazard that you don't really need all the layers together in the same place. It can be as good to have some layers in one area of a wood, and other layers somewhere else, different combinations?
I could go on, but think I have rambled long enough :roll:
Jack, we need a "rambling on" smiley
Chris
C_Claycomb said:I am going to go for 5 layers, a canopy of large, mature trees, oak, beech, birch, ash, poplar and so forth, an understory of smaller trees, could be the same species but includes things like holly, hazel, elder, and hawthorn. Under that you have bushes, stuff like snowberry, brambles. Then there are the lower, ground cover plants, grasses, ferns, dogs mercury (think that is right), and nettles. Lastly there is the leaf litter.
Going with those layers, there is a lot of blurring as one layer goes into the next. Brambles for instance can be anything from ankle high to over head height, hence offering different ammounts of cover.
Layers can be missing because they have been choked out by other layers, beech and yew supress pretty mugh everything down to the litter level. Some woods aren't old enough to have the upper layers and are populated by scrubby trees and plants that like more sun. Grazing animals can clear out everything lower than established trees, even the litter can take a pounding.
Some layers can be replaced, it can be easy, or hard depending on the place, the layer that is missing and why it isn't there. They all take time.
I would hazard that you don't really need all the layers together in the same place. It can be as good to have some layers in one area of a wood, and other layers somewhere else, different combinations?
I could go on, but think I have rambled long enough :roll:
Jack, we need a "rambling on" smiley
Chris
Phew, I don't think I would have got all those, Chris.
But after reading you answer,I think there's a sixth layer, in the earth, made up of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the roots of some trees (alder, I think is one of them), mycænæ (spelling? I mean the thread-like growth of fungi).
Keith.
Dunno if stuff like moss, litchen and ivy grown on the trees counts as a layer. In the tropics the plants that grow upon the big trees have their own ecosystem, which wouldn't exist on the mature trees alone. Not convinced that it is the same here, the critters that live in ivy seem to be the same on the gound as in trees :-?
Come on someone...get answering :-D
Come on someone...get answering :-D
I've had a go at some quick answers
1. How many layers are there in woodland?
I'd say four major ones
2. What are they called?
canopy layer, shrub/understorey layer, field layer, ground layer
3. Why are some missing?
Amount of light let through by large canopy can lead to some layers being missing or underdeveloped. Also dependant on plant species in the area.
4. Why do some woodlands have the lot?
Tree species forming canopy allow sufficient sunlight through to the woodland floor
5. Can we re establish the missing layers?
At a guess I'd say thinning the canopy layer by removing trees would allow more light to reach woodland floor and over time would allow the layers below to develop. Also, introducing species from the relevant layers below the canopy layer would speed up the process
6. Does it matter if there are missing?
Yes, as missing layers will affect the wildlife that dwells in the woodland
7. And what lives in each layer, species etc!
Canopy examples- Oak, Beech, Ash, Birch
Shrub examples- Holly, Hawthorne (used to spelling it with an e as its my surname!), Hazel
Field layer- Grasses, Ferns
Ground Layer- Mosses , Lichens, Mushrooms and other fungi
1. How many layers are there in woodland?
I'd say four major ones
2. What are they called?
canopy layer, shrub/understorey layer, field layer, ground layer
3. Why are some missing?
Amount of light let through by large canopy can lead to some layers being missing or underdeveloped. Also dependant on plant species in the area.
4. Why do some woodlands have the lot?
Tree species forming canopy allow sufficient sunlight through to the woodland floor
5. Can we re establish the missing layers?
At a guess I'd say thinning the canopy layer by removing trees would allow more light to reach woodland floor and over time would allow the layers below to develop. Also, introducing species from the relevant layers below the canopy layer would speed up the process
6. Does it matter if there are missing?
Yes, as missing layers will affect the wildlife that dwells in the woodland
7. And what lives in each layer, species etc!
Canopy examples- Oak, Beech, Ash, Birch
Shrub examples- Holly, Hawthorne (used to spelling it with an e as its my surname!), Hazel
Field layer- Grasses, Ferns
Ground Layer- Mosses , Lichens, Mushrooms and other fungi
Quote Jack:
'look at the woodlands in a different light.'
:idea:
Just noticed that............ Jack, you sly fox
....or am I on completely the wrong track?
'look at the woodlands in a different light.'
:idea:
Just noticed that............ Jack, you sly fox ....or am I on completely the wrong track?
1. 4 layers
2. canopy, shrub, herb and humus
3. fire, under/over grazing, alleopathy, lack of light, deforestation, invasive species
4. beacuse they have a balanced eco-system?
5. yes
6. yes, has a bad effect on the woodland community
7. canopy - taller trees, birds, insects
shrub - smaller trees and bushes
herb - herbacious plants
humus - decomposers and other vital organisms
please tell me any of this is completely wrong, because otherwise ive probably failed many an assignment
cheers gb
2. canopy, shrub, herb and humus
3. fire, under/over grazing, alleopathy, lack of light, deforestation, invasive species
4. beacuse they have a balanced eco-system?
5. yes
6. yes, has a bad effect on the woodland community
7. canopy - taller trees, birds, insects
shrub - smaller trees and bushes
herb - herbacious plants
humus - decomposers and other vital organisms
please tell me any of this is completely wrong, because otherwise ive probably failed many an assignment
cheers gb
Just so happens I have just been reading this as revision for an exam so I will give a short answer.
5 layers to a woodland. Canopy (broadleaf and evergreens - Oak,Beech), shrub (Hazel, Hawthorn & Blackthorn), field (Bamble, Bracken), ground (Moses, Bluebells,Primroses etc) and underground. Everydody seems to forget the underground layer but it has to be one of the most important because it where you find the roots, fungi (including Mycorrhiza).
Why are some missing? Why do some woodlands have the lot? This all depends on the type of woodland (i.e. beech, oak) and the way in which it is managed/miss-managed. Some woodlands dont need every layer but good management is possibly the main key to re estabishing missing layers (i.e. by pest control or by thinning).
I will shut up now before I get too boring
Cheers
Nick
5 layers to a woodland. Canopy (broadleaf and evergreens - Oak,Beech), shrub (Hazel, Hawthorn & Blackthorn), field (Bamble, Bracken), ground (Moses, Bluebells,Primroses etc) and underground. Everydody seems to forget the underground layer but it has to be one of the most important because it where you find the roots, fungi (including Mycorrhiza).
Why are some missing? Why do some woodlands have the lot? This all depends on the type of woodland (i.e. beech, oak) and the way in which it is managed/miss-managed. Some woodlands dont need every layer but good management is possibly the main key to re estabishing missing layers (i.e. by pest control or by thinning).
I will shut up now before I get too boring
Cheers
Nick
I agree with the 5 layers as that was we used when I did a-level biology (shows how old I am!).
There is not always a need to 're-introduce' layers as good ol Ma Nature does this herself.
A might oak dies and eventually falls crashing to the earth creating a new glade. Dormant seeds think 'bloody hell! light! and start growing, other trees seed in to the clearing, competiton starts up and you start to get progression up thru the layers until once again one or two trees establish and eventually refill the hole on the canopy (why do I keep wanting to write 'can-o-peas'?).
One other reason why layers may be missing is coz of all us lot pitching our tents in nice places and crushing the new plants, picking them for our lunch, some kids not knowing enough to respect the countryside, etc., etc., etc.
There is not always a need to 're-introduce' layers as good ol Ma Nature does this herself.
A might oak dies and eventually falls crashing to the earth creating a new glade. Dormant seeds think 'bloody hell! light! and start growing, other trees seed in to the clearing, competiton starts up and you start to get progression up thru the layers until once again one or two trees establish and eventually refill the hole on the canopy (why do I keep wanting to write 'can-o-peas'?).
One other reason why layers may be missing is coz of all us lot pitching our tents in nice places and crushing the new plants, picking them for our lunch, some kids not knowing enough to respect the countryside, etc., etc., etc.
EdS
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
1 layer around us 'cos I got my new chainsaw last week. Yippeee!
Only joking - don't cut any of the wood land down - only wind fall and garden tree that have got to big.
Only joking - don't cut any of the wood land down - only wind fall and garden tree that have got to big.
