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.c
  om/

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Flora Fauna from a Woodland Habitat
Flora Fauna
Oak Blackbird
Holly Snail
Bramble Woodlouse
Ivy Badger
Bluebell Squirrel
Lords and Ladies Aphid
Primrose Ladybird
Bracket Fungus (not a plant) Earthworm
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Flora of the WoodlandPrimrose

• 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.

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Flora of the WoodlandBracket 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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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Woodland Food Web
Badger
Fox
Ladybird
Squirrel
Blackbird
Aphid
Snail
Ivy berries
Oak Acorn
Bramble
Primrose
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END