Title: 1_A tale of succes: behind the Iberian lynx tracks
Course: What can WE do for biodiversity? The European Strategies for habitat conservation

Understanding natural wildlife

What does the Iberian lynx need to survive?

Look at the pictures below. Each one of them represents one different ecosystem that you can find in the Iberian Peninsula. Think about them for a couple of minutes.

A. Mediterranean forest

B. Coastal scrubland

C. Alpine meadow

D. Steppe

E. Atlantic forest

All illustrations by José Luis Navarro Garcia
(http://nosolodelcuentoviveelhombre.blogspot.com/2017/06/nuevas-ilustraciones-de-ecosistemas.html#comment-form)

All the pictures are also included in the following document:

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activity 1.1 The components of the ecosystem

Now is time to answer some questions:

Pooling

Let’s share your factors with the rest of the class and rewrite the your list if necessary.

Now is time to answer some questions:

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activity 1.2 The limits of the ecosystem

The common ivy (Hedera helix) is a species of flowering plant native to most of Europe, commonly present in the Atlantic forest (figure 5E). It is an evergreen climbing plant that prefers moist, shady locations and avoids exposure to direct sunlight.

Hedera helix climbing on a tree

Public domain – https://pixabay.com

The graphic in the figure shows the data obtained in a study about survival of different individuals of the common ivy that have been exposed to different temperatures:

Survival of Hedera helix individuals exposed to different temperatures

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activity 1.3 The functions in the ecosystem

The great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), the Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea) and the European robin (Erithacus rubecula) are three bird species that are commonly found in the Atlantic forest, which are mainly or partially fed by an insectivore diet.

From left to right:

great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)^[1], Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea)^[2] and European robin (Erithacus rubecula)^[3].

[1] By Gerry Zambonini - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77308232

[2] By Isiwal/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74974549

[3] By © Francis C. Franklin / CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31367900

Although the three of them feed on small invertebrates, do they compete for the food? Investigate which are the differences between the feeding of these species

activity 1.4 The structure of the ecosystem

The following four species are common in Mediterranean open forests. These species have established relationships according to their feeding (one eats the other).

Short-toed snake eagle(Circaetus gallicus)[1]

Ladder snake (Zamenis scalaris)[2]

Evergreen oak (Quercus ilex)[3]

Wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) [4]

[1] De MarioM - Trabajo propio, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2737085

[2] De Benny_Trapp_Rhinechis_scalaris_Portugal.jpg: Benny Trappderivative work: Papa Lima Whiskey 2 - Este archivo deriva de: Benny Trapp Rhinechis scalaris Portugal.jpg:, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18779634

[3] Pixabay

[4] De David Perez - Trabajo propio, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29032568

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are the main prey of the Iberian lynx. Epidemics, such as myxomatosis and the hemorrhagic disease, have affected rabbit populations over the years, which has in turn affected the Iberian lynx population.

European or common rabbit.[1]

[1] Public domain