The Four Seasons

This topic explores the seasonal transformations of the natural world in Sidmouth, detailing the specific shifts in flora and fauna throughout the year. It provides a comprehensive look at biological cycles, such as how plants use temperature or day length to time their blooming and how insects and birds synchronise their activity with these environmental cues. The topic examines complex ecological concepts like phenological mismatches, pollination syndromes, and various reproductive strategies used by local wildlife to ensure survival. Beyond scientific observations, the narrative captures the atmospheric changes of the Devon coastline, from the vibrant energy of summer meadows to the quiet resilience of winter landscapes. Ultimately, it serves as both a practical guide for nature enthusiasts and a reflection on the enduring resilience of the environment.

This topic aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is phenology, and why has its study become particularly important in the context of climate change?

2. Explain the primary difference between how "temperature-driven" plants and "day length-driven" plants determine when to flower in spring.

3. Describe the role of Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) in a meadow ecosystem and explain why it is known as the "Meadow Maker."

4. Define "Pollination Syndromes" and provide one specific example of an insect order and its associated flower family, explaining the features that link them.

5. What is the difference between epizoochory and endozoochory as methods of seed dispersal by animals?

6. Explain the concept of an avian "irruption" and how it differs from regular, seasonal migration.

7. Describe two distinct survival strategies that tetrapods in Sidmouth use to cope with the challenges of winter.

8. How do fungi like Puffballs and Stinkhorns differ from gilled mushrooms in their method of spore dispersal?

9. What is "double fertilisation" and why is this process unique to angiosperms (flowering plants)?

10. Contrast the winter survival strategies of an adult Peacock butterfly with that of an Orange-tip butterfly.