Saturday 16 January 2016

Winter 2016 essay National Parks Report

1. (a) Select an important example of a UK National Park. (1+1)
(b) Research your chosen UK National Park and produce a short report detailing the location, and types of habitat found here. (4+4)
(c) Justify the importance of the area being conserved. (3+3)

Repeat tasks a,b and c for a non-UK National Park
Expression of ideas (2+2)
(Total 20 marks)

The following grade was awarded to this report: 16/20


    Dartmoor National Park, England



The Dartmoor National Park located in an area of moorland in southern Devon, England, covers 954 square kilometres (368 square miles). Being the highest upland in southern Britain, exposed to the strong winds and rainfall. I have chosen this National Park in particular for its wealth of different species of plants and animals - bio-diversity and its distinctive landscapes.

Devon contains a fair range of flora which ranges from simple algae to towering, aged veteran trees and the fauna varies from bacteria to mammals like foxes (Vulpes) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). There are two main areas of blanket bog on the highest parts of the moor – the larger northern plateau and the smaller and lower southern plateau – surrounded by heath and grassland. Around the margins of Dartmoor’s granite core there can also be found enclosed farmland as well as broadleaf woodlands in the more isolated valleys, and the tors and rivers serve for shelter to a large number of plants and animals.

The severe climate can limit the variety of species, nonetheless Dartmoor is of international importance for its: blanket bogs; upland oakwoods, upland healths and cave systems as well as nationally recognized for its valley mires, Rhôs pasture and grass moor. It is also important to refer to some of the endangered species being conserved here, such are: the dormouse (gliridae), buzzard (Buteo boteu) and wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus).
The protection of these species is essential for the conservation of wildlife in the U.K as well as globally. These and other National Parks are valuable in many ways: economically, socially and culturally. Tourism and education are some of the investments made which contribute for the conservation of species and awareness of those. 

2.       Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile


Part of the Unesco’s Biosphere Reserve system since 1978, the park encompasses mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers in southern Chilean Patagonia. The park is located 112km (70miles) north pf Punta Natales and 312km (194miles) north of Punta Arenas, it has an area of 2,422.42 km squared.

The wide diversity of environments leads to the presence of large and varied flora and fauna. The park has four types of vegetation: pre-Andean scrubland on the banks of rivers and lakes, forest, tundra and high altitude vegetation. Here can be found a wide variety of bird fauna, with 100 visible species, including: Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus), Black-chested Buzzard Eagle (Gerenoetus melanoleucus), etc. Some of the mammals found are the Puma (Felis concolor), Guemal (Hippoca,elus bisulcus), Guanaco (Lama guanicoe), etc.

The incredibly picturesque sightings and the extensive bio-diversity found in this National Park as well as the protection of endangered species like the South Andean deer, Huemul were some of the reasons which lead me to choose this park. The existence of this area is very important for the protection it provides and the heritage it holds.

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