Bracken (Pteridium) holds a pivotal role in succession, usually occurring in sequence between plagio-climax  communities such as heathland and woodland. It is at this interface that bracken causes problems for man, as the sub-seral communities are more valuable for agricultural use and most have a greater conservation value than bracken-dominated ones (there are a few exceptions).

Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (is an ecological research site located primarily in East Bethel, Minnesota in the counties of Anoka and Isanti on the northern edge of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. Encompassing 5,400 acres of native upland forests and prairie and lowland swamps and meadows, the site contains over 900 plots of long-term experimental research which evaluate plant competition and biodiversity. The herbivory research division examines animal and plant relationships. Led by prominent American ecologist G. David Tilman, the University schedules more than 130 faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students, staff, and undergraduate researcher interns to the site as of 2006)

Dynamics - Ecosystems are dynamic entities—they are subject to periodic disturbances and are in the process of recovering from some past disturbance. Ecosystems in similar environments that are located in different parts of the world can end up doing things very differently simply because they have different pools of species present. Internal factors not only control ecosystem processes but are also controlled by them and are often subject to feedback loops.

The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (was a study led by Pavan Sukhdev from 2007 to 2011. It is an international initiative to draw attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity. Its objective is to highlight the growing cost of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and to draw together expertise from the fields of science, economics and policy to enable practical actions. TEEB aims to assess, communicate and mainstream the urgency of actions through its five deliverables—D0: science and economic foundations, policy costs and costs of inaction, D1: policy opportunities for national and international policy-makers, D2: decision support for local administrators, D3: business risks, opportunities and metrics and D4: citizen and consumer ownership)

Calling it a night..............................

Forest ecology is the scientific study of the interrelated patterns, processes, flora, fauna and ecosystems in forests. The management of forests is known as forestry, silviculture, and forest management. A forest ecosystem is a natural woodland unit consisting of all plants, animals and micro-organisms (Biotic components) in that area functioning together with all of the non-living physical (abiotic) factors of the environment. The forest ecosystem is very important.

Global Warming (is likely to affect terrestrial ecoregions. Increasing global temperature means that ecosystems will change; some species are being forced out of their habitats (possibly to extinction) because of changing conditions, while others are flourishing. Other effects of global warming include lessened snow cover, rising sea levels, and weather changes, may influence human activities and the ecosystem)

The ecological effects of harvesting wild animals and plants have traditionally been viewed through the lens of reduced abundance

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (is an intergovernmental organization established to improve the interface between science and policy on issues of biodiversity and ecosystem services. It is intended to serve a similar role to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

Calling it a night.........................................

Joint valley landscape or fissure valley terrain (Swedish: sprickdalslandskap, sprickdalsterräng) is a type of relief common in Fennoscandia. The landscape originates from the erosion of joints in the bedrock which leaves out small plateaus or ridges in between When the block summits in joint valley landscape are of different height it may indicate the past movement of a vertical geological fault. The ecological differences between the blocks define their flora and fauna.

Komodo Island National Park (is a national park in Indonesia located within the Lesser Sunda Islands. The park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Padar and Rincah, and 26 smaller ones. The park was initially established to conserve the unique Komodo Dragon, the world’s largest lizard. Since then conservation goals have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial. The Komodo Dragon is the world’s largest living reptile and can reach 3 meters or more in length and weigh over 70kg. As a result of their size, these lizards dominate the island ecosystems in which they live. Although Komodo dragons eat mostly carcass of dead animals, they are formidable predators and will also hunt prey including birds, and mammals. Although attacks are very rare, Komodo dragons have been known to attack humans)

Off to work.................................