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The edge of a woodland is a transition zone between
two very distinct communities. On one side is the woodland and on the
other is the heathland. Each has its characteristic assemblage of animals
and plants - the woodland edge is the crossroad for wildlife from two
very different worlds. Woodland animals will venture onto the sunnier
heath to feed and the heathland animals will seek food, shade and shelter
in the wood. The edge of the woodla
nd is richer in the number and diversity
of species than the centre of the woodland or the centre of the heathland.
It has visitors as well as residents.
You may find a dense tangle of blackberry
bushes, hawthorn, roses, hazel and bracken at the woodland edge. These
plants need more sun
light than woodland species but less than those found
on the heath. Animals take refuge amongst the thorny plants or beneath
the bracken because they provide excellent cover and nesting sights.
Look
out for all the different habitats at the woodland edge. Holes in the
ground may lead to nests or dens in the lower layers. Ground layers covered
in leaves and plant life are inhabited by insects, ground nesting birds
may also be seen feeding on these insects during the day. In the shrub
layer where you may find nut-bearing and fruit-bearing plants you will
find a busy diversity of animals. Above the Shrub layer is the understorey
- here it is relatively dark as it is in the shade of the top layer or
the canopy. There are more birds nesting in the understorey than anywhere
else.
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