Transcript Woodland Flora and Fauna PPT

Woodland Ecology
This resource is designed to be used as a teaching aid for Leaving Certificate Ecology.
It contains a variety of species commonly found in a woodland ecosystem. We hope that
biology teachers will find aspects of this resource useful.
Produced in association with the Galway Education Centre and the Biology Support
Service.
Design Team
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Pauline Dervin Healy (Assoc. BSS)
Gerry Nihill (Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew)
Louise Crotty (Mercy Secondary School, Galway)
Veronica Mc Cauley (NUIG)
Photograph references: http://www.sciencephoto.com/
Flora & Fauna from a Woodland
Habitat
Flora
Fauna
Oak
Holly
Bramble
Ivy
Bluebell
Lords and Ladies
Primrose
*Bracket Fungus (not a plant)
Blackbird
Snail
Woodlouse
Badger
Squirrel
Aphid
Ladybird
Earthworm
Flora of the Woodland
(Sessile Oak)
•
Role in energy flow: Producer
•
Adaptation: Sheds its leaves in winter to conserve water which might not be
readily available. If leaves were present, water would be lost by transpiration.
•
Abiotic factor: Soil pH: Grows best in Acidic soils pH 4 – pH 6.5.
•
Eaten by: Aphids and caterpillars eat the leaves. Squirrels eat the acorns.
Flora of the Woodland
(Holly)
•
Role in energy flow:
Producer
•
Adaptation:
Able to photosynthesise in lower
light intensity as its dark green
leaves have a high level of
chlorophyll to maximise light
absorption.
•
Abiotic factor:
Percentage soil water:
Intolerant of wet soil.
•
Eaten by:
Red berries eaten by blackbirds.
Flora of the Woodland
(Bramble)
•
Role in energy flow:
Producer
•
Adaptation:
Brightly coloured succulent fruits
for dispersal by woodland birds.
Spines on leaves and stems protect
the plant and act like hooks and
helps the plant to climb other
shrubs.
•
Abiotic factor:
Soil pH: Grow best at a pH of 6 –
6.5
•
Eaten by:
Berries eaten by blackbirds and
squirrels.
Flora of the Woodland
(Ivy)
• Role in energy flow:
Producer
• Adaptation:
Adventitious roots enable it to
climb up trees in order to reach
better light.
• Abiotic factor:
Light Intensity: Can grow at
low light intensity.
• Eaten by:
Berries and nectar provide
winter feed for birds. Buds are
eaten by the larvae of moths
and butterflies.
Flora of the Woodland
(Bluebell)
•
Role in energy flow:
Producer
•
Adaptation:
Flowers early in spring and
completes its life cycle, before the
canopy of leaves emerge and
reduce the available light.
•
Abiotic factor:
Light Intensity: Needs high light
intensity to flower.
•
Eaten by:
Bulbs are eaten by badgers. Bees
eat the nectar from the flower.
Flora of the Woodland
(Lords and Ladies)
•
Role in energy flow:
Producer
•
Adaptation:
It produces a pungent smell (like rotting meat) to attract flies for pollination.
•
Abiotic factor:
Light Intensity: Shade tolerant, will survive at low light intensities.
•
Eaten by: Not eaten, it is a poisonous plant.
Flora of the Woodland
Primrose
•
Role in energy flow:
Producer
•
Adaptation:
Flowers early in spring before the
leaves appear on the trees which
block the light.
•
Abiotic factor:
Light Intensity: Needs high light
intensity to flower.
•
Eaten by:
Slugs, snails, and butterflies feed
on the nectar.
Flora of the Woodland
Bracket Fungus
(not a plant)
•
Role in energy flow:
Decomposer
•
Adaptation:
Can obtain its nutrients from dead
and decaying wood.
•
Abiotic factor:
Humidity: It thrives in high
humidity.
•
Eaten by:
Slugs
Fauna of the Woodland
(Blackbird)
•
Role in energy flow:
Consumer
•
Adaptation:
Pointed beak for probing the
ground to find earthworms. Low
notes in its song travel very well
through the woodland.
•
Abiotic factor:
Air temperature: If the temperature
is low, it can lead to high mortality
in the young due to open nests.
•
Feeds on:
Ivy berries and other fruits. Also
eats insects and worms.
•
Eaten by:
Fox
Fauna of the Woodland
(Snail)
•
Role in energy flow:
Consumer / Herbivore
•
Adaptation:
Its ability to produce a slimy
mucus prevents the snail drying
out as it travels across dry terrain.
•
Abiotic factor:
Humidity: If the humidity is low it
is in danger of drying out, it
thrives in cool and moist
conditions.
•
Feeds on:
Plant material e.g. primrose leaves
•
Eaten by:
Hedgehog and Badger
Fauna of the Woodland
(Woodlice)
•
Role in energy flow:
Decomposer. Feeds on wood and
leaf litter.
•
Adaptation:
Grey/brown colour provides
camouflage to protect them from
predators.
•
Abiotic factor:
Air temperature: In high
temperature they tend to lose water
quickly.
•
Feeds on:
Wood and leaf litter.
•
Eaten by:
Shrews, badgers and birds.
Fauna of the Woodland
(Badger)
•
Role in energy flow:
Consumer/ Omnivore
•
Adaptation:
Sharp claws used for digging
through the stony woodland soil to
build their sets.
•
Abiotic factor:
Air temperature: They become
inactive and sleep during very cold
weather.
•
Feeds on:
Slugs, earthworms, beetles, roots
e.g. bluebell roots.
Fauna of the Woodland
(Red Squirrel)
•
Role in energy flow:
Primary Consumer
•
Adaptation:
Long bushy tail is an aid to balance
on tree tops.
•
Abiotic factor:
Air temperature: They become less
active during very cold weather.
•
Feeds on:
Acorns, nuts
•
Eaten by:
Fox
Fauna of the Woodland
(Aphid)
•
Role in energy flow:
Consumer / Herbivore
•
Adaptation:
Mouth parts are adapted for
sucking plant sap.
•
Abiotic factor:
Temperature: As the temperature
increases the aphids reproduce
faster.
•
Feeds on:
Plant sap
•
Eaten by:
Ladybirds
Fauna of the Woodland
(Ladybird)
•
Role in energy flow:
Secondary Consumer / Carnivore
•
Adaptation:
Bright colour deters predators
•
Abiotic factor:
Air temperature:
determines the length of the life
cycle
•
Feeds on:
Aphids (Greenfly) and other small
insects.
Fauna of the Woodland
(Earthworm)
•
Role in energy flow:
Decomposers
•
Adaptation:
Can move through the soil quickly
•
Abiotic factor:
soil water. During periods of dry
weather they cannot move through
the soil. They travel deep into the
soil to avoid dehydration
•
Feeds on:
Dead plant material.
•
Eaten by:
Blackbird, fox and badger.
Woodland Food Web
Ladybird
Badger
Aphid
Snail
Blackbird
Squirrel
Primrose
Bramble
Ivy berries
Oak Acorn
Fox
END