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Introdction to forest ecosystem animals :
In the Forest ecosystem animals are the consumers.They influence the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients through systems as well as structure and composition of forests through their feeding behaviour and the disturbances that they create. In turn their abundance and diversity is influenced by the composition of the forest and the various disturbances that occur in the forest.Animals in an ecosystem form the heterotrophic stratum or brown belt of an ecosystem. The animals in the ecosystem can be classified on the basis of their feeding habits into:
- Herbivoresare animals that consume plants and get their energy by eating plants.They form the primary consumers of the ecosystem.Cow ,sheep ,goat ,deer,rabbit,horse ,zebra are some of the herbivorous animals.
- Carnivoresor predators are animals that feed on the herbivores or other animals in order to derive energy and nutrients required for their diet.They form the secondary consumers of the ecosystem.Mammals like dogs,cats,mongoose ,hyennas; birds like hawks,eagle,falcon, reptiles like crocodile,snake,turtles are examples of carnivorous animals.The tertiary consumers are also carnivores that feed on primary consumers like herbivores and also feed on secondary consumers .Lion,tiger are examples of tertiary consumers.
3.Scavengers are flesh eaters and eat the dead flesh from left over of the carnivores.Jackal,vultures are examples of scavengers.
4.Parasites are organism consumes blood or tissues of the host animal without killing the host.
5.Decomposers break down complex compounds of dead tissues of producers and consumers,absorb some of the decomposition products and release simple substances consumable by autotrophic organisms.Decomposers include earthworms,bacteria, fungi,actinomycetes etc.
Forest Ecosystem Animals: Types of Forest Ecosystem
- The forest ecosystem is of 3 types-tropical rain forest,tropical deciduous forest and temperate coniferous forest.
- Tropical rain forestprovides both shelter and food for huge number of animals which include birds like cuckoo bird,parrot ,swallows humming bird eagles;mammals like orangutans ,monkeys ,gibbons,tiger,foxes,hippopotamus,jaguar,reptiles like crocodiles,alligators,anaconda,flying gecko etc.
- Tropical deciduous forestcontains animals like deer,elephants,sambars ,cheetahs,wild buffaloes tiger ,leopard.Birds ,reptiles,amphibians are also found in abundance.
- Coniferous forestsconsists of rich and varied animal life which includesmammals like mouse deer,musk, rat,porcupine,rabbit,squirrels etc;insectivorous birds like grouse,jay cross bill etc and reptiles like snakes and lizards.
Forest Ecosystem Animals : Role of Animals in Forest Ecosystem
- Animals play a very important role in forest ecosystem.
- Pollination:Majority of flowering plants use a range of animals of the forest as pollinating agents.Bees,butterflies, beetles,birds like sun birds,humming birds,bats are common pollinating agents.Often flowers of animal pollinating plants are specially adapted for a particular species of animal.
- Seed dispersal:Many animals of the forest play important role in dispersal of seeds from one place to another.Some plants colourful flowers,chemicals which helps to attract certain species of animals.
- Decomposition,mineral recycling and soil improvement:These are mostly controlled by soil organisms,which can significantly influence physical and chemical properties of the soil.The decomposers degrade complex animal tissue ,decompose carbon compounds and convert plants residues into humus and improve the fertility of the soil.