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British Isles Research Paper

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The British Isles are a large set of islands located in the northern hemisphere, and are comprised of a mild climate and varied soils, as well as also being home to a diverse pattern of vegetation and a climatic-climax community of deciduous woodland. These isles are home to many ecosystems, in which they are a dynamic interlinked system characterised by the interaction of plants and animals that are shared with each other, being that organic and non-organic components of the environment. The British Isles are an example of a Lithosere succession, with the Lithosere as its primary succession (although not its only type of natural succession), meaning that the area began as a rock based environment, and succeeded into a plant and deciduous based …show more content…

These types of successions are more commonly known as natural successions, and are processes in which there are gradual changes in the patterns and structure of a community. Over time, there have been substantial changes in vegetation as a result of a combination of both natural, physical factors and human interference. In this, there will be an attempt to find the aims, and to identify ways in which vegetation has transformed over time, and to evaluate the importance of both human and physical factors. The composition of vegetation depends upon the link between all of the species which make up the environment. Some of the core physical components of a habitat include its climate, relief, soils and the composition of its species. Plant populations gradually become bigger and more involved over time, with this process being known as succession. Over time, sometimes even thousands of years, a period of stability, also known as equilibrium is reached in which the vegetation has reached its climatic climax, which is the state in which the area will be in almost perfect synchronisation with its environmental conditions. In the British Isles, the climatic climax community is known as temperate deciduous …show more content…

The reasons behind the desire for ecological conservation include encouraging wildlife back into cities, making cheap use of derelict areas and maintaining a diverse species base by reintroducing locally extinct species. Work done in such areas involves planting trees (predominantly native species), dredging of ponds, and soil improvements, and will often involve local volunteers, showing the human activity catering for a natural succession in a positive light. An example of a successful ecological conservation area is that of Troopers Hill, located in southeast Bristol. The conservation of the Troopers Hill Local Nature Reserve has preserved much of the pre-existing habitats of the area, consequently enabling the survival of native species and plants. The main aim of the project has been fulfilled, as a variety of different habitats have been preserved, resulting with an increase in biodiversity; including mammals such as hedgehogs and foxes, as well as more than 40 species of bird and a wide variety of insects, with around 70 species of bee, with bees being a crucial part in almost every natural succession. Another reason for the creation of such areas is due to the fact that local people want a safe environment for leisure activities and that local authorities desire to make cheap use of

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