Life on a Log

When a tree dies all the nutrients that were collected and stored during the life cycle of the tree become available again. The dry bark loosens and this allows animals and plants such as fungi and wood-boring insects to take up residence. These insects make tunnels and egg-chambers in the dead wood and they become water channels through which bacteria and other insects can enter. The log becomes soft over time and provides food and shelter for an increasing number of species. Snails and insect larvae eat the fungi and parts of the dead wood. The log eventually expands and animals such as birds and snakes are able to take refuge there. Old, hollow logs often become suitable dwellings for the red fox.

The Diversity of Grasses

Early civilisations often developed where crops grew readily, which was why the open grassy areas on the Coversands with poorly developed woodland made an ideal location for settlements. Nobody knows how old grasses really are. The first fossils of grasses are dated at over 26 million years old and these fossils look remarkably similar to the grasses we see today. Grasses are one of the most successful plants in the entire world. They are a ble to take root in any crevice and can be found in extreme environments such as in the Antarctica, on mountain-tops or in deserts. There are approximately 3500 species of grass in the world and they are vital in our environment as they hold soil together and prevent erosion.