Woodland Ecology



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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

    • 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 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 and Fox.



Woodland Food Web



END



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