Define the term urban wasteland.
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Define the term urban wasteland.
An urban wasteland is an area of previously built-on and used land that is now abandoned and left for nature to take over; it is also known as a brownfield site.
True or False?
Urban wastelands always have deep, fertile soil.
False.
Urban wastelands often have minimal or non-existent soil depth.
What is secondary succession?
Secondary succession is a process where one plant community replaces another over time in an area that was previously disturbed or developed, such as urban wastelands.
State the meaning of micro-habitat.
A micro-habitat is a small, specialised habitat within a larger ecosystem, often created by variations in topography, surfaces, or microclimates in urban wastelands.
What is the soil water budget in urban wastelands?
The soil water budget in urban wastelands is typically negative, as potential evaporation exceeds precipitation due to low levels of soil and poor moisture retention.
True or False?
All plants in urban wastelands have deep root systems.
False.
Many plants in urban wastelands adapt through shallow root systems, allowing quick absorption of any precipitation.
What is an example of animal adaptation in urban wastelands?
An example of animal adaptation in urban wastelands is crows placing walnuts under car tyres to crack them open, a behaviour that has spread to other urban birds.
Define the term reproductive isolation.
Reproductive isolation is the existence of biological barriers that prevent members of different species from producing viable offspring, as seen in the case of the London Underground mosquito.
What is the urban heat island effect?
The urban heat island effect is a phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and urban infrastructure.
State the meaning of opportunistic in the context of urban animals.
Opportunistic urban animals are those that readily adapt to and take advantage of new food sources, resources, and nesting opportunities in the changing urban environment.
What is a microclimate?
A microclimate is a small area where the climate differs from the surrounding area, often created by buildings and debris in urban wastelands.
True or False?
Shady areas in urban wastelands attract all types of plants equally.
False.
Only shade-tolerant plants will be able to colonise easily in shady areas of urban wastelands.
What plant is known to attract butterflies to urban wastelands?
Buddleia is known to attract butterflies to sheltered sun traps in urban wastelands.
Define porosity in the context of urban wasteland soil.
Porosity is the degree to which a surface has pores or small openings, affecting how easily plants can colonise it in urban wastelands.
What does a negative soil water budget mean?
A negative soil water budget means that potential evaporation exceeds precipitation, resulting in poor moisture retention in urban wasteland soils.
True or False?
Plants in urban wastelands typically develop shallow root systems.
True.
Plants in urban wastelands often adapt through shallow root systems to allow quick absorption of any precipitation.
Define a rhizome.
A rhizome is a horizontally growing underground stem that can produce new shoots and roots, allowing plants like rosebay willow herb to spread rapidly in urban wastelands.
What role do cracks and hollows play in urban wasteland surfaces?
Cracks and hollows in urban wasteland surfaces provide a depth of soil that allows deeper-rooted plants and trees to flourish.
True or False?
Invasive species can only colonise urban wastelands in the early stages of succession.
False.
Invasive species can begin to colonise due to improved soil conditions in later stages and may smother out most species beneath them.
What is meant by sub-stratum variations in urban wastelands?
Sub-stratum variations refer to differences in the underlying soil or surface material in urban wastelands, which can lead to different types of plant succession in the same area.
Define the term invasive species.
Invasive species are non-native plants or animals that can cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health when introduced to a new habitat.
True or False?
Japanese knotweed is beneficial for urban wasteland ecosystems.
False.
Japanese knotweed is an invasive species that has a devastating impact on urban wasteland ecosystems by out-competing native species.
What is a brownfield site?
A brownfield site is an area of previously developed land that is now abandoned or underused, often targeted for redevelopment in urban areas.
Define SSSI.
SSSI stands for Site of Special Scientific Interest, a conservation designation for an area of particular interest to science due to its fauna, flora, or geological or physiographical features.
What is the primary focus of UK government policy regarding urban wastelands?
The primary focus of UK government policy is on using brownfield sites for new developments within the urban environment.
True or False?
All urban wastelands should be developed for housing or commercial use.
False.
There is now a call for identification of brownfield sites that require conservation rather than development due to their ecological value.
Define urban sprawl.
Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding undeveloped land, which can be reduced by developing brownfield sites within existing urban areas.
What are three potential uses of conserved urban wastelands by local communities?
Three potential uses of conserved urban wastelands by local communities are:
Leisure and recreation.
Education.
Urban farms.
True or False?
The grey squirrel is a native species in the UK.
False.
The grey squirrel is an invasive species in the UK, introduced from North America, which has largely displaced the native red squirrel.
What does England's Brownfield Rainforest mean?
England's Brownfield Rainforest refers to Canvey Wick due to its exceptionally high biodiversity, with more species per square metre than any other site in the UK.