Evaluate the relative roles of natural succession and human activities in the creation of ecosystems within the British

Isles [40] An ecosystem is a dynamic, stable system characterised by the interaction of plants and animals with each other and with the non-living components of the environment. Psammosere succession is a process, which takes place in the plant community over time in a sand dune complex. Deciduous woodland is another example of succession, which happens in temperate climates and is a naturally occurring organic community of plants and animals in the climatic climax stage of succession. In this essay I will evaluate the important role of natural succession and human impact in each one. The first species in this primary succession are often sea sandwort and sea rocket. They are blown in by the wind or washed in by the sea, and appear on the strand line at the back of the foreshore where they obtain their nutrients from seaweed decomposing on the strand-line. The process of succession begins when seeds are washed in or blown in by the wind. The number of different species in this pioneer community is small because conditions are harsh the beach sand is high in calcium carbonate from shell fragments and in sodium chloride from sea spray as well as the constant wind and exposed areas on the beach. The plants have to survive periodic covering by saltwater, shifting sands and exposure to high winds. To adapt to this xerophytic environment, many plants store water in their leaves or stems (succulents). Most plants are also short-lived and have rapid germination rates. The soil improves because of the humus layer built up by the pennywort, and leads to more species starting to colonise in the area, and this leads to competition for light, space and water. Usually, the pioneer species die out and are replaced by equilibrium species. Plants with long roots, such as sea couch grass and marram grass, trap and stabilise the sand and for these reasons they are known as major sand dune builders. With the passage of time, new embryo dunes form in front of existing dune ridges and eventually deprive the latter of fresh supplies of sand. Taller plants (such as trees) and more complex plant species (like heather moorland) can now grow. Plants from earlier stages die out because of competition for light and water When the water table reaches, or nearly reaches the surface, dune slacks can occur. The plants, which are specially adapted to be water-tolerant, grow here. However, in Braunton Burrows in North Devon is an area where coastal sand dunes are threatened daily by urban development and recreational use. Camber is subject to a 10-day army training exercise every year, in which vehicles such as Jeeps and tanks are driven over the sand dunes, and this ultimately leads to the destruction of the dunes. There are also other problems caused by humans, such as the perpetual grazing of sheep and livestock on areas of land less than 100 meters behind the sand dunes. This means that there is a degradation in the plant cover, which binds the sand together, which means that the wind can blow the sand away. Tourists also use the beach year round, which again contributes to the breakdown of the dunes. Much of this is controlled and managed carefully to ensure that degradation does not . Fences have been put into place to trap sand, so that it builds up and conifer trees are often planted to act as wind breaks and these become the new climax as a plagioclimax. In terms of creation, natural succession is very important in the formation of sand dunes, however, we can see that with increased human activities in the area, the sand dunes degrade unless there is human intervention to control and manage it. Another example of a natural succession is the colonisation of wasteland. Different factors affect the species of plant that colonise in an area. Factors include amount of sunlight (If the area is in shade, only shade tolerant plants will be able to colonise easily) porosity of the soil and pollution. A specific example of colonisation of wasteland is Battersea Power Station. Mosses

and lichens are the first plants to develop on bare surfaces. They are able to exist in areas where there is little water, obtaining nutrients by photosynthesis and from the bare concrete beneath them. Eventually, the concrete is weathered away, and after the plants die, they provide a thin mat of organic matter which, mixed with the weathered mineral matter produces a protosoil that other plant species can root into. Cracks in the surface provide sheltered places for seeds to germinate and also retain moisture and dust, which help plants to root. Common invaders are wind blown seeds like the Oxford Ragwort. Tall Herbs As higher plants die off, they produce a thicker and more nutrient-rich soil. Taller plants that are more demanding of good growth conditions can become established. When the herbaceous vegetation thickens it becomes difficult for small plants to grow. This means that the area eventually gives rise to trees which can grow in the area.