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large branches and trees were felled. A
number of squirrels were seen boldly feeding
close to humans at ground level as a food
source became readily accessible. No doubt
others, too, were able to take advantage of the
damage. However, losses were generally high.
Although large boughs were cleared and sold,
much was unsuitable and, with the brush, was
left to decompose naturally. The sites
studied appeared very different from the
October to the January meetings, although this
dramatic occurrence showed a unique opportunity
for future study of natural degeneration,
recolonisation and succession of open and bare
ground.
6. SUMMARY
In these very successful meetings, an attempt
was made to give a broad picture of four
natural communities. The emphasis has been on
principle rather than detail, because it is
easy when working on a complex community to
lose sight of the whole picture in a welter of
apparently unrelated details. The important
result was that all the observations could be
integrated providing a general picture which
all can appreciate.
The contrasts observed from season to season
and from, site to site enhanced the appreciation
of these complex communities, illustrating how
much there is to discover and providing many
subjects for further detailed study.
FIONA HUGHES