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Analyse the human and ecological inter-relationships which lead to the development of a Plagioclimax. - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 6 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 6
Analyse the human and ecological inter-relationships which lead to the development of a Plagioclimax.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Analyse the human and ecological inter-relationships which lead to the development of a Plagioclimax. - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 6 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Concepts of succession: serial stages, climatic climax, sub-climax and plagioclimax.
Answer
To understand the development of a plagioclimax, it's essential to recognize the concepts of ecological succession. Succession typically progresses through a series of stages, ultimately leading to a climatic climax. However, human activities can disrupt this natural process, resulting in a plagioclimax, where ecosystems reach a stable state that is maintained by human influence.
Step 2
Human activities influencing plagioclimax.
Answer
Human interference plays a critical role in the development of plagioclimax communities. For instance, agricultural practices and land management modifications, such as grazing and deforestation, can prevent the natural progression to a climatic climax. The acknowledgment of ongoing human interactions with ecosystems is crucial to understanding how they stabilize particular vegetation communities, such as heather moorland.
Step 3
Ecological factors and conditions for a plagioclimax.
Answer
The specific environmental factors that facilitate the establishment of plagioclimax communities include local climate and soil conditions. For example, heather moorlands thrive in well-drained, acidic soils typical of the British Isles. These ecosystems may persist through human activity, such as controlled grazing, which helps maintain the necessary environmental balance.
Step 4
Consequences of human exploitation on ecosystems.
Answer
Human exploitation, particularly through land use changes, affects the local ecology significantly. The interactions between humans and ecosystems should reflect how anthropogenic influences can enhance or inhibit certain species' growth, hence impacting the adaptive characteristics of the vegetation present in plagioclimax communities.
Step 5
Heather moorland as an example of a plagioclimax.
Answer
Heather moorland serves as a prime example of a plagioclimax. Its development is influenced by historical land use dating back thousands of years, primarily for pastoral practices. This community has been shaped by grazing pressure, leading to a vegetation assemblage that is distinct yet reliant on continuous human management to thrive.