Available online
Description
This programme is about the effect of sulphur dioxide on lichen growth and how lichen distribution correlates with atmospheric pollution.
This programme is about the effect of sulphur dioxide on lichen growth and how lichen distribution correlates with atmospheric pollution.
| Module code and title: | S323, Ecology |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S323; 14 |
| First transmission date: | 10-09-1974 |
| Published: | 1974 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:14 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Edward Milner |
| Narrator: | Brian Ferry |
| Contributors: | Oliver Gilbert; Susan Hurley |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Air pollution; Biological indicators; Crustose; Foliose; Fruticose; John Wallis; Newcastle-on-Tyne; Sulphur dioxide |
| Footage description: | Frank Sutton arranged and performed "The Changes on the Tyne". Several shots, mainly aerial, of Newcastle and surrounding area. Film shots of an actor in 18th century period costume playing the Rev. John Wallace, an early lichenologist. Shots of him examining various species of lichens in a church yard. Oliver Gilbert walks through the Northumberland countryside examining various lichens and lichen habitats. Gilbert compares his finds with samples from the same area preserved by 19th century lichenologist. He concludes that several of the 19th century lichens are now extinct in the area. Shots of Susan Hurley in the laboratory. She explains and performs an experiment which measures respiration rate of lichens and studies the effect of sulphur dioxide, a major air pollutant, on the lichens. Shots of an oxygen uptake graph. Susan Hurley examines lichens growing on an asbestos roof on a farm. She explains the effect of roof pH on sulphur dioxide and on lichen growth. Shots of Susan Hurley examining lichens growing on an acid stone wall. This again shows the effect of pH on lichen growth. Susan Hurley continues her discussion on the effects of pH on lichen growth. Shots of a churchyard and species of lichens living then. She then discusses some of the other ecological factors which influence lichen distribution. Oliver Gilbert examines lichen growth down a transept from a rural churchyard, 25 miles north west of Newcastle, to the city centre. He looks for lichens in their standard habitats. Shots of site 1 (25 miles out), at Simonburn, a pure air area, and the lichens growing there. Shots of site 2, 10 miles out, and the lichens growing there. The air here is not as pure as at site 1 and the lichens are less abundant with fewer species present. Shots of site 3 at West Denton, an outer suburb of Newcastle (5 miles). The lichens here are examined in their standard habitats. Very few are found and those that are present are living mainly in specialised microhabitats. Shots of site 4 at Leazes Park; in the centre of Newcastle. Only one lichen was found in this heavily sulphur dioxide polluted area. Shots of the 1972 "Sunday Times" organised lichen survey in progress. This was a nationwide lichen and pollution survey. Students from a Newcastle High School are shown taking part in the survey. They explain how they went about it. In this survey the abundance and type of lichen found was used as an indication of pollution levels. Shots of a map of Gt.Britain showing lichen distribution. This was drawn up from the data of the "Sunday Times" survey and shows a definite correlation between Industrial areas and lichen scarcity. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71324 |
| Production number: | 00525_1128 |
| Videofinder number: | 1038 |
| Available to public: | no |
