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 FaunaOak Blackbird

Holly SnailBramble Woodlouse

Ivy BadgerBluebell Squirrel

Lords and Ladies AphidPrimrose Ladybird

*Bracket Fungus (not a plant) 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 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.

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

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

• 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(Snail)

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

Primrose

Fox

Squirrel

Oak AcornIvy berries

Blackbird

Bramble

SnailAphid

Ladybird Badger

END