Alder (Alnus glutinosa). Sapling midst a Norfolk broad reed bed (Phragmits sp. ). From a wind dispersed seed from a nearby land

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Alder (Alnus glutinosa). Sapling midst a Norfolk broad reed bed (Phragmits sp. ). From a wind dispersed seed from a nearby land based tree. Thus a series of such saplings over a few seasons fix and consolidate reeds and with associated build up of accumulated vegetative detritus attracts and permits other tree species to establish themselves (Eg Birch (Betula sp. Willow (Salix sp. ) Process known as natural succession. Without management intervention, open water will be closed over, disappear and eventually land dry out. Climax would/will be Oak woodland. Calthorpe Broad NNR, SSSI, Norfolk.

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Photo credit: © Joe Blossom / Alamy / Afripics
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