Definition of Urban niche Within an ecosystem all living

organisms occupy a niche. Their niche is the place where they live

(their habitat) and how they interact with other species (their

role in the ecosystem).The woodlouse's habitat is under logs and stones and, particularly at night when it's cool and damp, under leaf litter

The woodlouse's role in the ecosystem is (a) feeding on dead plant material, breaking it down into small pieces helping to speed up decomposition by fungi and bacteria and (b) providing a food source for a range of other species, e.g. toads, shrews, hedgehogs and other invertebrates

Starter - how many different niches are there available for plants to colonise

• Key point – different types of rubble/brickwork etc create their own microhabitats

Horizontal bare tarmac

vertical stone wallvertical brick wall

tops of walls

rubble strewn ground

Human use means urban ecosystems are subject to more change and at a faster pace than any other ecosystems. Changes in: DrainageMicro-climatesComposition of surface materialIntroduction of new species (accidentally + deliberately) Removal of established species= ecosystem unlikely to reach stability

(Nelson pg 98)

Types of plants which initially colonise a site are influenced by: Slope – horizontal/gentle slopes debris accumulates to create soil Moisture availability – horizontal/slopes rainwater accumulates, steep slopes faster runoff Aspect – south facing slopes = warmer + drier Porosity (ability to hold water) – surfaces that hold water are colonised more quickly Surface roughness – allowing plants to get a hold, glass + metal are too smooth for most plants Pollution levels – depend on previous use of the site. Substances that are toxic to plants e.g. lead may contaminate the land

Keywords (match the correct definitions to each key term)

Conservation

Ecology

Sustainable Development

Substrate

The surface on which a soil forms. This is usually rock, but can also be a deposit such as river sediments, glacial till or boulder sediment. Preservation of the natural environment The study of the relationship between living things and their environment

The management of resources in such a way that the ability of the system to replace itself is greater than the level of exploitation

Structure of an urban ecosystem

Sort the below features into the correct categories

Inputs Ecostructure Outputs

(The City) Air Residences Food Vehicles

Manufactured products solid waste

Sunlight Emigrants Offices/Factories Water

Changes air and gases Emigrants

Power Raw materials Governments/organisations

Fuels Money Sewage

How did you do?

Key point: Human agents (e.g households, businesses, developers, governments) and biophysical agents e.g. local geomorphology, climate. These choices give different patterns of development, land use and infrastructure density. In turn this affects ecosystem processes both directly and indirectly (in and near the city) and remotely thorough use of resources, generation of waste/pollution.

The Colonisation of Wastelands

E.g.

The colonisation of most wastelands is a lithosphere type succession

Many wastelands are often temporary becoming redeveloped after a couple of years but if they are allowed to develop the following is likely to occur:

Let’s look at some local examples....

Waste ground, Upper Park Road, Rusholme

Wasteland off Clayton LaneThe engineering works is long gone. In the distance are the modern

additions of Eastlands Stadium and the "artwork" called "B of the Bang", which has now been removed.

The view from the corner of Hollinwood Avenue and Long Lane, well before the M60's coming. The Rochdale Canal is on the left with former

cotton mills on Whitegate Lane, Chadderton, visible in the distance.

Cheadle Lower MillOriginally a water-powered cornmill, the site was successively developed to become a Bleach Works, a laundry, a detergent factory and finally a ruin. The place was in use until 1993 so this picture gives an indication of how quickly dereliction can set in. The chimney is the only untouched element!

Sept 2007

The site has now been cleared for housing (June 2008) –

What has happened to the succession?

What might happen if the site is now left derelict?

Although some evidence of industry remains....