Black Park in the UK and its Macrofossils - Essay Example

Black Park in the United Kingdom and its macrofossils Introduction Black Park in Buckinghamshire is prevailed by huge areas of coniferous and mixedwoodland and also contains important conservation areas with national significance. The climate of this area is of extreme type (http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/assets/content/bcc/docs/policy_ plans_ performance/cultural_strategy/22645_41_60.pdf accessed 26 November 2009). In the middle of the Thames valley where the park is situated pine trees, alder, beech and an old lake of the 18th century can also be seen. Woodland and floodplains and the lake catchment area are the natural habitat. Wet woodlands have species including mosses, lichen and invertebrates. The floodplain has: colluvium, channel lag, laterals accretion deposits, vertical accretion deposits, crevasses play deposits, and channel-fill deposits (http://www.answers.com/topic/floodplain). And the peat usually is the most fertile sediment available for storing of macrofossils of terrestrial or aquatic life. Aim The study was undertaken to find out about the modern vegetation prevalent at the visited sites. This objective is carried out by examining macrofossils Pollen, plant macrofossil, cladoceran (water fleas), fern, mosses and wind and water borne elements and submerged macrophytes. These macrofossils have a key role to play in the functioning of the ecosystem which directly or indirectly affects the biological, physical and chemical patterns and processes (Timms et al, 1997). We also studied the leaves detritus. Method The methods of Pollen analysis and sediment logical analysis were adopted and studied with the help of Macrofossils of leaves taken from floodplains (sediments). Leaf detritus used were placed in litter bags and measures of the temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity and dissolved oxygen and the water velocity was taken. Calculation of nitrogen content, phosphorous, lignin and carbohydrates was calculated (Sarruge & Haag, 1974; Malavolta et al., 1989), (Miyazawa et al., 1992), (Van Soest, 1963), (Deriaz, 1961; Conn and Stumpf, 1975). Heterotrophic bacteria, the filamentous fungi’s density were also computed. (“doi.wiley.com/ 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2006,01878.x”). The diversity index was used to assess invertebrate community according (Magurran (1991). Classification of functional feeding groups was done (Merritt and Cummins, 1996). The chemical composition of the soil, the leaf detritus, and the functional feeding groups to test microorganisms, was done with covariance analysis (ANCOVA) and multi dependent analysis of variance (MANOVA) (yeast, bacteria and fungi) and invertebrate (density-dependent variable). Samples were taken from dry soil areas, the floodplains and the lake area. The results in the soil samples and pollens collected along with leaf detritus were sieved and compared in terms of density, spread and age. Samples From dry soil areas, the floodplains and the lake area, the results are seen in the soil samples and pollens collected along with leaf detritus and sieved and sampled and compared to each other in terms of density and spread and age. Results The dry Soil Area displayed Holocene vegetation change as seen from the plant macrofossils and pollen from packrat middens ranging from 0 to 50,000 years. (http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/eng-ee-beds-wet-woodlands.pdf/$FILE/eng-ee-beds-wet-woodlands.pdf). Semi-arid landscapes appeared covered with sage, chaparral, and grassland. . Ttreeless tundra was replaced by birch pine and beech. Beech sprouts on limestone areas at the head of the Thames estuary can be seen and signs of Alder can also be seen. (http://plants. usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=ALGL2). Herbivores that are now extinct or reduced in numbers can also be spotted. Semi-arid landscapes areas appeared covered with sage, chaparral, and grassland. Beech sprouting on limestone areas can be seen and the climate is temperate with steady amounts of rainfall. Some times temperatures fall below freezing point in winter. The most significant site for the growth of this plant is at the head of the Thames estuary. Alder appears in rich, cool and moist woodlands and permeates peat lands, stream banks and lakeshores and moist coves. Soil is medium textured to coarse textured. Salinity tolerance: 4.5 to 7.5 range. Their CaCo3 tolerance is low. It fixes the nitrogen balance so in a sense it is a soil improving species. It is restricted to stream banks and other moist places (http://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=ALGL2). Betula a deciduous tree which grows well in light sandy, medium loamy and heavy clay soils can also be spotted. The plant prefers neutral, acidic and basic (alkaline) soil. It is wind tolerant. The plant macrofossil assemblage recovered show woodland and scrubland taxa with evergreen canopy, and well drained rich soil. Grassland having (Pastinaca sativa and Rumex) and open ground can be seen in this assemblage (Gibbons et al, 1993). In the lake sediments the plant macrofossil assemblage recovered woodland and scrubland taxa with a evergreen canopy and well drained rich soil. There is much grassland having (Pastinaca sativa and Rumex) and open ground in this assemblage. Sediment dynamics show rich planktonic and benthic algae. Of them many are migratory birds, the living sensors of environmental change (Gibbons et al. 1993) Conclusions: The purpose of the visit to find macroscopic plant was completed by sieving of sediments. This was identified according to the modern nomenclatures of Tutin et al (1964-1993). In the incubated detritus the collector invertebrates, predators, shredders, and scrappers were observed. Other groups had a homogenous distribution. Nitrogen and phosphorous was correlated to the invertebrate community, while the lignin was correlated to the invertebrates in advanced stages. During detritus breakdown the carbohydrate was neither dependent nor correlated on the invertebrates. The analysis of the soil and showed Al and K richness and Mg was poor smectite sediments. According to Faegri and Iversen, (1989) “Mineral magnetic techniques and sediment logical analysis, supported by independent geochemical analyses, identify significant variations both in sediment source and flux”. Pollen data is the most abundant here along with plant macrofossils. Molluscan fossils appear in peat too with higher pH. Quaternary temperature and environment show in Beetles, felled timber hold information on the land management practices. Ponding is shown (by peaty slits accumulated) punctuated by renewed channel activity as shown (in the inorganic carbonate sediments rich in ferromagnetic minerals), Parker, A G.;a,, Lucas, A. S; b, Walden, J;c, Goudie A S d; Robinson, M. A.e and Allen, T,G.f (doi:10. 1016/j.geomorph.2007.04.029). Much change has taken place in Quaternary Period in geomorphologic processes, floras, faunas and environmental conditions, all influenced by changing climate. The record of such changes is faithfully preserved here in landforms, sediment sequences and organic remains (http://www.jncc.gov.uk/default.aspx?Page=4175& block=84). References Cole K.L; Henderson, N & Shafer, D. S; 1997. Impacts of nineteenth century grazing at Capitol Reef National Park as determined through packrat midden analysis” retrieved on 19th November 2009 (“ http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/cprs/research/projects/global_change/capreef.asp”) aDepartment of Geography, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BP, Great Britain, UK bFormerly Post-Graduate Institute for Sedimentology, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG, Great Britain, UK cSchool of Geography and Geosciences, University of St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9AL, Great Britain, UK dSt. Cross College, St. Giles, Oxford OX1 3LZ, Great Britain, UK eUniversity Museum of Natural History, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PW, Great Britain, UK fOxford Archaeology, Janus House, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0ES, Great Britain, UK Faegri &Iversen (1989) Textbook of pollen analysis Gibbons, D.W., Reid, J.B. & Chapman, R.A. (1993) The New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1988-1991. London: Poyser Timms & Moss, 1984; Carpenter & Lodge, 1986; Dieter, 1990; Jeppesen et al.( 1997) Role of macrophytes in a clay-turbid lake retrieved on November 23, 2009 from (“ http://ethesis.helsinki.fi/julkaisut/maa/limno/vk/nurminen/roleofma.pdf”) enneth L. Cole, Norman Henderson, and David S. Shafer 1997; Holocene vegetation and historic grazing impacts at the Capitol Reef National Park reconstructed using packrat midden Timms & Moss, 1984; Carpenter & Lodge, 1986; Dieter, 1990; Jeppesen et al., 1997. “A 250 year comparison of historical, macrofossil and pollen records of aquatic plants in a shallow lake” retrieved on November 23, 2009 from http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2005.01414.x Fægri, K. & Iversen, J., 1989. Textbook of Pollen Analysis Berglund and Ralska-Jasiewiczowa, (1986). “Palaeoecological events during the last 15,000 years” retrieved on 20th November 2009 from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0277-3791 (97)89763-6 Webster and Benfield, 1986: Leaf Degradation, Macroinvertebrate Shredders &Energy Flow in Streams: A Laboratory-Based. SARRUGE &HAAG, 1974; MALAVOLTA et al., 1989 leaf breakdown in a tropical stream. MIYAZAWA et al., 1992; MALAVOLTA and NETTO 1989 “.Leaf breakdown in a tropical stream” retrieved on 20th November 2009 (doi.wiley.com/10.1002/iroh.200510826) Tutin TG et al. (1964-1993) Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (GB). VAN SOEST, 1963 Use of detergents in the analysis of fibrous feeds. II. A rapid method for the determination of fiber and lignin. J. Ass. Offic. Agr. Chem. 46:829-35, 1963. Timms et al. 1997 (“link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevB.58.10634”) DERIAZ, 1961; CONN and STUMPF, 1975 “.Leaf breakdown in a tropical stream” retrieved on 20th November 2009 (“doi.wiley.com/10.1002/iroh.200510826”) MERRITT and CUMMINS (1996) Orders and Families of Aquatic Insects in Merritt & Cummins 1996, 3rd edition. Read More