WILD LIFE ECOLOGY BY MUHAMMAD QAMAR IQBAL 03106783097 IQBALQAMAR4242GMAIL.COM Chapter no.3 Terrestrial ecology TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Terrestrial ecology Terrestrial ecology deals with ecological study of terrestrial habitats and their effects on the organisms living there. biome A major terrestrial community of the plant and animal life. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY When compared with aquatic habitats terrestrial biomes show following differences 1) Moisture becomes major limiting factor, thus process of evaporation and transpiration become of chief significance in life of terrestrial plants 2) The temperature is much more variable on land than water. 3) Rapid circulation of the air throughout the globe results in a ready mixing and a remarkably constant content of chief gases ,oxygen and carbondioxide. 4) Land is not continuous, there are important geographical barriers to free movement 5) In terrestrial ecosystems , the soil serves two major functions, it provides support for the living organisms and it is the source of all essential nutrients except for carbon , oxygen and hydrogen. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Classification of terrestrial habitat terrestrial habitat Tundra biome Alpine biome Forest biome Grassland biome Desert biome TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Tundra biome The word tundra is derived from a finish word “tunturi” meaning a tree less plain or barren lands. Some five millions acres of tundra, "the arctic tundra ,” stretch across the north America, northern Europe and Siberia. Geographical and climatic features The tundra soils and subsoil are permanently frozen during winter. Summer short of as 1-2 month. The surface layer thaws out. The permanently frozen deeper soil as called permafrost . Warmest temperature in summer averages about 10 degree Rainfall is scantly much of the precipitation fall in the form of snow. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Climatic conditions thus are not conducive to vegetation . Lichens, mosses, grasses and grass like herb are predominant vegetation in summer. Fauna of tundra biome Mammalian fauna (caribou, reindeer, polar bear, arctic hare, arctic fox, lemmings , wolves) Arctic birds.( snowy owl, ducks, geese, snowy grouse, and ptarmigans) and a no. of migratory birds comes in summer for breeding purposes. Insect fauna mosquitoes, blackflies, bumble bees, dragon flies having big swarm in summer. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Alpine biome “ The region of mountain above the timber line” contain a distinct flora and fauna and referred as alpine biome. Geographical and climatic features Conspicuous in those whose peak reach up to the niveal or snow zone e.g. Himalayas , the snow zone lies at the height of 3600 m At high altitude environment are low air density , low oxygen, low carbondioxide, high ozone contents, high atmospheric tranparency, cold snow cover , high wind velocity, high glare from sky and snow and absence of trees. At Himalaya among vertebrates fishes , amphibians and reptiles are totally absent except one species of frog found at 4500 m height called Aleurphyrne. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Mammalian fauna Snow leopard, Marten, Ibex, Tibetan sheep, Yak and wild Goats. Avian fauna Snow patridge, and ptarmigans. insect fauna Insects are more abundant in this biome like Beetles, Mayflies, Butterflies, Bees, grass hoppers. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Forest biomes A forest may be as a large tract of uncultivated land covered with big trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses. It depends upon number of following factors Temperature Rainfall Relative humidity Space Classification of forest biomes Coniferous forest Deciduous forests Tropical forest TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Coniferous forests Geological and geographical features Stands of coniferous forests or “boreal forests are located south of tundra . Confined to northern hemisphere. These extends from central Alaska across Canada ,then sweeps along the northern side of lake superior. In Eurasia ,this biome extends across Norway, Sweden, Finland and Siberia. The term” TAIGA” is applied to the extensive belt of northern coniferous forest. These forests are the major supplier of timber in the World. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Climate Lands of boreal forests have a cold continental type of climate. Summers are short with long day . Winters are long with short days. Only 4-5 months have temperature higher than 6 degree centigrade ,below which plant life can not grow . Precipitation is scanty. In winter , the ground is snow covered and soil freeze to a depth of 6-8 feet. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Floral characteristics These forests are characterized by needle-leaves, cone bearing, ever green plants. Millions and millions of tightly packed conifers cover vast area of north America and Eurasia. The dominant species are picea (spruce), Abies (fir ),and Pinus (pine). TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Faunal characteristics Fauna is restricted , large mammals are represented by Elks, Caribous, Reindeers, moose Moose is most conspicuous . Carnivores include Bears, Wolves, Foxes, Lynxes. Arboreal animals include, porcupines and Squirrels. Birds are represented by Grouse, Crossbills, Jays, Wood peckers. Insect life is prolific in summer times , the swarm insects attract many birds of migratory character. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Deciduous forests Geological and geographical climatic features These are found in Europe , North America , Japan, and Australia . Warm temperature . Plenty of moisture . Long period of sunlight during summer. Winter days are short , cold and air is dry. Water loss is greater from the surface of leaves hence the leaves are shed and trees become bare and dormant. Warm summer and cold winter coupled with abundant rainfall, varies with 75-150mm Temperature range from 10-20 with precipitation throughout the year. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Floral features Floral life is as Oak, Walnut, and beech trees are common in these forests. Falling of leaves during winter. The new foliage appears in spring. As contrasting condition of summer and winter. The presence of broad leaves help the trees to prepare starch and carry on their vital activities at maximum rate because of warm temperature . TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Faunal representations The invertebrates are represented by the Earthworm, Millipedes, Snails, Land isopods, Wood boring larvae of various insects and leaf eating insects. Among vertebrates ,the Salamanders , tree frogs , turtles and rattle snakes, as reptiles. Horned owl, Hawks, Turkeys, Thrushes, Wood peckers, Crested fly catchers, amongst bird fauna. Mammalian fauna is represented by Deers, pigs, Bears, Foxes, Squirrels, dormice, Wild Boars. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Tropical forests Geological , geographical and climatic features Tropical forests grow in equatorial region where humidity is high . Rainfall is heavy about 160-220 cm /year Annual mean temperature is about 28 degree centigrade They are found in South America, central Africa , India , Malaya, East Indies and Northern Australia. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Floral features Forest are very dense and evergreen. Those trees that do lose their leaves entirely do so at irregular intervals with no apparent regard to the climatic regime. Flora is highly diversified . A square mile area may contain several hundreds of different species of trees . TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Faunal characteristics Invertebrate density and abundance are very high . Common invertebrates are Worms, Snails, Millipedes, Isopods, Centipedes, Scorpions, Termites, Bugs, Beetles, Leeches, Planarians, ants etc. Vertebrate fauna is represented by frogs, and toads as amphibians and Chamaelons, Geckos, Agamids lizards, poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes as reptilian fauna. Bird fauna includes Woodpeckers, Humming birds, Parrots, Fruit eaters, Hornbills, Cuckoos, Sunbirds. Great variety of arboreal , herbivores and carnivores mammals TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Important mammalian fauna of various forests South American tropical rain forests have flat nose monkeys, Tapirs, Sloths, Agouties, Porcupines with prehensile tails, Ilamas, Ant eaters and Armadillos. central Africa have Gorillas, Rhinoceroses, Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, Lions, Hyaenas, Monkeys, Chimpanzees and Ant eaters. Indian tropical forests have Elephants, Tigers, Rhinoceroses, Monkeys, Chevrotains, Anteaters ,Hyaenas, Lorises etc. Malayan and east Indies forests have Tapirs, Elephants, Orangutan, Gibbons, Bears etc. North Australian forests have kangaroos, Wallabies, Tasmanian Wolves, Opossums, Flying Phalangers etc. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Grass land biomes At one time grass land covered about 42% of the land surface of the world. Today, however, much of it is under cultivation and its cover has been reduced to 19% of the land surface of the earth. Types of grassland biomes 1-Grassland known variously as Pairies (in North America ) Pumpas ( in South America), Steppe (in Asia) , Veldt (in South Africa) form one group. These are treeless grasslands and are characterized by predominance of grasses adapted to dry condition . 2-Savanas or tropical grasslands form another group . These are mixed tropical formations of tall grass, with shrubs and big trees. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY 1- geographical and climatic features a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) Grassland occur where rainfall is too low to support the forest but higher than desert form Generally rainfall 30-75 mm . Grassland typically occur in interior of continents. Grass land communities with limited moisture conditions Irregular rainfall. Sharp seasonal diurnal variations Very high sun light radiations Grassland soils are highly characteristic, dark in colour and contain large amount of humus . TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Floral characteristics Grassland usually treeless and is not strictly true for the streams and small rivers and are always fringed with trees. As the namely implies , dominant vegitation consists of grass which can be divided into two groups . The tall grasses 1.5 m high found in moist areas The short grass grown in clumps, found in drier areas. Faunal characteristics Typically grass land animals tends to be quite small ,with the exception of a few very large herbivore mammals such as Bison and Pronghorn in North America, Wild Horses , Wild ass, Antelope, in Eurasia ;Antelope and Zebra in Africa, Kangaroos and Wallabies in Australia. Most herbivores of grass lands characteristically aggregate into herds or colonies, this kind of aggregation protects from the predatory animals. Small predators like badgers, Foxes, Ferrests, Wolves etc. Among the Rodents, Mouse, Gophers, Sqirrels, Rabbits are prominent. Birds are Chickens, Larks ,Hawks, Owls,Pigeonsetc Lizards and snakes are met with in large numbers and variety. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Savannas grasslands Savannas cover much of central Africa , Malaysia, Northern Australia,West Indies and parts of South America. Vegetation is dominated by tall perennial grasses which may reach 2 cm hight commonly referred as ELEPHANT GRASS. Trees are distinctive nature. They are relatively low growing , umbrella shaped, may deciduous or evergreen . Temperature are high ,seldom falling below 21 degree centigrade. Rain fall in summer ranges as 38-150cm Three seasons are generally ,cold dry seasons, hot dry season, warm rainy season.. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Faunal characteristics of savanna grass land The fauna of savanna grass land is very much rich compared to the other types of grass lands Savanna grassland mainly consists of large herbivores . The tropical grassland of Africa have large herbivores like Zebras, Antelopes, Elephants, Giraffes, Gazelles, Monkeys, Apes, Rhinoceroses, Hippopotamuses etc. Carnivores like Lions , Jackals, Wolves,Hyeanas etc. The tropical grasslands of Malaya includes Gibbons, tapirs, Antelopes, Elephants etc. Australian savanna grassland , kangaroos and Wallabies are dominant. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Deserts biomes The geological , geographical and climatic features Deserts are defined as lands where evaporation rate exceeds rainfall. 1. 2. Deserts occupy 17% of the land surface of the earth. Conveniently deserts biomes divided into two types as Hot deserts Cold deserts Most of the hot deserts have the rainfall less than 10 mm par year Important hot deserts are Sahara (Africa )Kalahari (South Africa), Arabian(Saudi Arabia), Rajisthan ( India)Thar and Cholistan (Pakistan)Takla Makan( china ) and many others. Cold deserts occur at high elevations where temperature is very low and rainfall very scanty. Cold deserts occur in Laddakh (Himalyas in India region) Gobi (Mangolia ) Blivia ,and others. The environment is harsh because confined to the tropical region . Flora and fauna in this habitat have evolved ways to circumvent aridity and high temperature. Animals found in this biomes are nocturnal in their habit Low rain fall. Duststorms are common in this biome. TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Floral and faunal features and habits Animal having sleeping habits at day time and mostly nocturnal. Vegetation is largely composed of thorny bushes , perennial succulent and rapidly growing herbaceous plants. Mostly plants are cacti , Acaia , Euphorbis ,Pricky Peers etc Fauna is very poor . Few large mammals such as Camels , Antelopes ,and sheeps. Small mammals such as Rodents , of various kinds are abundant. Wolves, Jackals, Foxes, etc are the carnivores. Reptilian fauna includes Lizards , and snakes . Avian fauna like patrifges , Quails, bustards, Sandgrouses and Vultures.
