Woodland Ecology

1. 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/

2. Flora & Fauna from a Woodland Habitat

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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: SoilpH: Grow best at a pH of 6 – 6.5 • Eaten by: Berries eaten by blackbirds and squirrels.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 apoisonous plant.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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.

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

20. END