Ecosystems - Heather moorlands

A heather moorland is a plagioclimax so human influences prevent the ecosystem from reaching a climatic climax.

Case study: Rannoch Moor, Scotland

The woodland was first cleared out to allow crops to be grown and to provide space for grazing. But once the trees were removed there were no deep roots to bring the nutrients to the surface and renew the soil fertility. Instead the heavy rainfall, which would be intercepted by the trees, was able to leach the nutrients out of the soils. So the upland areas were often colonised by bracken, grasses, shrubs and heather.

Management:

• Heather is burnt every 3-4 years to make young shoots grow so there can be food for Red Grouse, which can be shot for sport.
• Burning also prevents the regrowing of forests so sheep and cattle can continue to graze.
• In small areas people are trying to bring the forest back by fencing it off to reduce grazing and trees are being planted.