Biological Individual Investigation What Effects Have Management Had On Grasses In Rushey Plain, Epping Forest? Abstract

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Biological Individual Investigation

What Effects Have Management Had On Grasses In

Rushey Plain, Epping Forest?

Abstract

Rushey Plain, Epping Forest, is an area that is currently undergoing succession due to the loss of an arresting factor in the 1950s. With a Mann-Whitney U-Test Value of 56, I managed to prove that there is a significant difference in grass coverage between a wooded area, where natural succession had been allowed to occur, and an area that had been artificially cleared in Epping Forest.

Aim

To study the effects that management have on grasses in two areas of Rushey Plain, Epping Forest.

Background Knowledge

Epping Forest is found between London, and where the M11 and M25 cross. The layout of the forest can be seen on the map (figure 1)

From analysis of fossilised pollen in the area, it is known that Epping Forest has existed for at least 4,000 years. The Normans established it as a Royal Hunting Forest, and wood pastures were maintained in the first known form of forest management. In 1878, the Corporation of London became conservators of the forest, under the Epping Forest Act. The Corporation now ‘have a responsibility to ensure its protection for the benefit of local people. This is achieved through the enforcement of a number of byelaws laid down by Acts of Parliament. These bye-laws are designed to prevent any action or actions by people that would harm the fabric of the Forest, destroy wildlife or natural habitats, damage the landscape or otherwise spoil the public’s enjoyment of the open space. The Forest Keepers, who have Constable powers under Act of Parliament, undertake enforcement of the byelaws.’ (Forest Focus, Autumn 2005)

Grasslands are important in maintaining biodiversity. Many grasses and shrubs, as well as wildlife only populate areas of grassland. Grazing is the most important arresting factor in stopping grasslands from developing into woodland. In 1953, myxomatosis was accidentally introduced into Britain.

Myxomatosis is a viral infection, which is spread by fleas. As a flea bites a rabbit, a small amount of live virus is injected into the blood. The virus is then transmitted to the lymph nodes, where it can spread to multiple sites. The virus causes swelling around the eyes, nose, ears, anus and genitalia of the rabbit. When the eyes swell, the rabbit becomes blind, which leaves it susceptible to being predated, or killed on roads. The most common cause of death however, is a secondary lung infection.

The disease caused the rabbit population of Britain to crash, which removed grazing as an arresting factor. Figure 2 shows how in many places, including Rushey Plain, areas of grassland that were grazed predominantly by rabbits began to disappear. The vast majority or Rushey Plain (figure 5) has developed into Birch woodland, although in recent years, small areas have been artificially cleared to reclaim grassland. This is partially successful, although the areas that have been cleared still have no natural arresting factor to control them. The grass in these areas is generally much taller than in areas grazed by cattle, or that are regularly mown for recreational use. I also noticed that the grass here was taller than in the un-managed areas, where the trees blocked out a lot of the light. This was why I decided to carry out my investigation on grass height.

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The grass I will be measuring is Wood Meadow-grass (Poa nemoralis). It forms loose tufts in woods, and other shady places, as well as forming large populations in open grassland.

After looking at possible factors affecting the grass height, I decided that it was one of two possibilities. Either trampling, which would stop the grasses being able to spread their roots, or a natural process. I then chose a site well away from any paths in order to negate the effects of trampling, which left only a natural process to affect the plant height.

Plants produce energy by ...

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