BIOMES AND ANIMAL COMMUNITIES
The earth is
made up of many different climatic regions, called biomes. Each biome is home
to a characteristic community of animals. Similar species of animals are found
in the same vegetation belt. For example, the rain forest biome in Africa,
Asia, and South America have similar characteristics of species of animals and
habitats across the world. The animals of the deserts regions are not exempted.
In addition, some unique animals are found in saltwater and freshwater
environments. Rainfall and temperature play major roles in determining the types
of organisms that live in each biome. The geographic features of an area shape
the distribution of organisms. Rivers and lakes harbour attract specific birds,
insects and animals; the cold temperature at mountaintops result in species
that are similar to, or have similar adaptations and those found at the
poles. The ptarmigans for example, are
cold-adapted birds and bears found in the arctic and in the alpine regions of
mountains at the equator. Majority of
animals of mountain ecosystem are wild and carnivores in nature.
Some dominant
biomes are considered here.
Polar Regions
Biome: The cold, mossy tundra biome of the poles
attracts vast clouds of mosquitoes and flies. These insects draw many species
of birds to feed during the brief, cool summers. In turn, small mammals like
the arctic fox eat the eggs and young offspring’s of ground nesting birds.
Caribou graze on the grasses, moss, and lichens; and lemmings and arctic hares
provide food for the bears and other large predators. In south of the tundra,
the taiga biome, or boreal forest, encourage conifer forests of pine, spruce,
fir, and hemlock. The dense growth of the conifers provides shelter and good breeding
ground for small animals ‘like the lynx, wolverine, porcupine, snowshoe hare,
and small rodents. Wolves prey on the lynx and other mammals; black bear and
grizzly bear munch on berries, nuts, and buds; and mule deer and moose browse
on shrubs.
Temperate
Regions Biome: Is the temperate forest biome, the varied rainfall
and seasonal temperature encourage more animal diversity than the tundra and
taiga biome. Rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and a variety of birds
make their homes in these forests. Human encroachment has made wolves scarce,
the predator that once controlled the abundant deer population. The bear fox,
and mountain lion that prey on the smaller animals are also declining as
forests give way to pavement and lawns.
Tropical
Regions Biome: This biome
type has more diverse community structure. The biome include the most varied
and productive animal communities on earth. The warmth and abundant moisture of
the rain forest supports close-growing trees with dense canopies that sustain a
great variety of animal species. In most countries in Africa and Nigeria in
particular, the biome play an important role in animals formation, development
and adaptation. Grasslands support great numbers of grazing animals and the
mountains ecosystems support such animal species as the reptiles, monkeys, apes
gorillas’ antelope and deer’s etc.
Desert
Regions Biome: The
desert biome, with its low rainfall and high temperature harbours a diversity
of animals. Rodents such as the kangaroo rat feed on fruits and seeds of desert
plants while lizards and snakes prey on rodents, bird eggs, and insects. Many
desert animals survive the heat, night hunting and hiding in burrows during the
day. Animals such as kangaroo rats seldom drink water because their efficient
kidney systems that enable them to get all the water they require from their
food.
Mountain Region Biome: The mountain biome is characterized by different species of animals
ranging from ants to large wildlife. Insects, birds, monkeys, black snakes, and
beavers constitute the small animals while the buffalo, lions, elephants,
gorillas and leopards constitutes the large animals. The buffalo and lions have retreated in many
places as a result of hunting, settlements, agriculture, and of the virulent
disease called rinderpest, but their population (mostly the buffalo) still
remains over a million in most tropical mountain regions of the world. Before
modern development, the various biomes in Nigeria have supported a diversity of
large and wildlife of animals.
The
following are some of the characteristics of the wild life mountain ecosystem
in Nigeria:
-
Cross River gorillas were once common in some parts
of south-eastern Nigeria, but their populations have declined as farming and born-fire
have damaged their forest homes.
-
Cross River National Park forest reserves, provides
important gorilla habitat. Some of the park’s reserves date to the 1930s, when
established communities were permitted to remain inside the forest and a series
of enclaves were created to accommodate them.
-
The sheltering of the mountain ecosystems provides
critical habitat for primates such as the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, red
colobus, Sclater’s guenon, and Preuss’s guenon.
-
Elephants, which once roamed across Nigeria, live
only in a few protected areas today.
-
The mountains communities accommodate some leopards,
lions and African wild dogs
