Introduction

Heathland

Heathland is made up of two types of land; upland which is above 300m altitude and lowland is below 300m altitude and is very important to endangered species such as the natterjack toad, silver studded butterfly and the sand lizard.

Heathland plants;

Ling
Bell heather
Gorse (Common, Dwarf, Western)
Tormentil
Milkwort
Bedstraw
Slender St John’s Wort
Dodder (parasite twining over gorse and heather)
Bracken
Bilberry (whortleberry)
Silver birch
Rowan
Aspen
Scots pine.

Heathland animals;

Birds

Wheatear
Linnet
Whinchat
Stonechat
Dartford warbler (rare)
Swallow
Red-backed shrike (Britain’s rarest breeding bird)
Great grey shrike
Nightjar
Hobby
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
Hen harrier

Reptiles

Common lizard
Adder
Sand lizard
Smooth snake
Grass snake
Slow-worm

Amphibians

Natterjack toad.

We chose this heathland habitat because we live in canford heath and it is easy for us to retrieve information.

Heathland came from succession which is evolution of nature, which starts from bare ground then plants die and animals move in and out and more nutrients are put into the ground and this process repeats to make grass land then shrub land which will finally turn into woodland unless grazing is occurred.

Sampling:

In this experiment we will be using pitfall traps and quadrants.

We will be using pitfall traps by digging holes and inserting cups to them then cover them with grass to catch “beasties” like beetles, ants, worms. Etc.

For 5 days we will check them every morning and after school.

To use the quadrates we will be going out in our science lessons and using a tape measure and every ten metres we will place a quadrates and record which plants are there, this will be carried on for the three or four science lessons with have that week.

Step by step method:

First we will draw a table for results and collect our equipment.

Secondly, we will wonder across the field taking lots of steps to get there we will dig a couple of holes with cups in to make pitfall traps.

Thirdly, while the beasties are falling into to our scheming pitfall traps, we will be using quadrates and tape measures. We will measure ten metres for one hundred metres, and record which type of plants and how many there are.

Fourthly at the end of the day the pitfall traps will be checked this will continue for 5 days but after the first day they will be checked in the morning as well as the afternoon.