Difference Between Flora and Fauna
Flora and fauna mean plants and animals respectively. Flora are the naturally occurring plants in a specific area. Fauna represents the animals that are natural to an area.
The difference between flora and fauna lie in the type of living organism they represent. Both living organisms are essential for maintaining a balance within our ecosystem. Let us delve into the details of these organisms.
Table of Contents
- Difference between Flora and Fauna
- What is Flora?
- Types of Flora
- What is Fauna?
- Types of Fauna
- Importance of Flora and Fauna
- Biogeographical Distribution of Flora and Fauna
Difference between Flora and Fauna
The following table provides the difference between flora and fauna:
| Aspect | Flora (Plants) | Fauna (Animals) |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Flora refers to plant life that occurrs in a specific region or at a particular time. These are the naturally occurring or indigenous plant life. | Fauna refers to all animal life in a particular region or time. It includes both vertebrate and invertebrate animals. |
| Examples | Trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers, mosses, and ferns. | Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. |
| Cell Type | Eukaryotic cells with a cell wall made of cellulose. | Eukaryotic cells without a cell wall. Cells may be covered by skin, scales, feathers, or fur. |
| Reproduction | Typically through seeds, spores, or vegetative propagation. | Typically through eggs or live birth, depending on the species. |
| Nutrition | Typically autotrophic, producing their own food through photosynthesis. | Heterotrophic, relying on other organisms for food. |
| Mobility | Generally stationary and do not move from place to place. | Most fauna are mobile and can move from one place to another. |
| Respiration | Through stomata (small openings) on leaves. | Through lungs, gills, skin, or trachea, depending on the species. |
| Sensitivity | Respond to stimuli like light, gravity, and touch but do not have a nervous system like animals. | Have a nervous system and can respond to a wide range of stimuli. |
| Lifespan | Can range from a few weeks (for some flowers) to thousands of years (for trees like sequoias and bristlecone pines). | Varies widely, from a few days (for some insects) to over 100 years (for some mammals and birds). |
Also read: Difference between Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable
What is flora?
The term ‘flora’ comes from the Latin word “flower”. Flora refers to the plant life that grows in a specific area or they grow for a specific time period. These include all types of plants that grow in a geographical area from fungi, to moss, to flowering plants, trees, shrubs, etc. There are several types of flora.
Type of Flora
| Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Native Flora | Plants indigenous to a particular area, evolved and adapted to local conditions. | Oak trees in North America |
| Endemic Flora | Plants found only in a specific region and nowhere else. | Baobab trees in Madagascar |
| Exotic/Introduced Flora | Non-native plants introduced to a new area, either intentionally or accidentally. | Eucalyptus trees in California |
| Cultivated Flora | Also known as agricultural flora, these are the plants grown by humans for various purposes like food or ornamentation. | Wheat, roses |
| Weed Flora | Unwanted plants growing alongside cultivated plants, competing for resources. | Dandelions, crabgrass |
| Medicinal Flora | Plants known for their medicinal properties. | Neem tree, turmeric plant |
| Aquatic Flora | Plants growing in water bodies, either partially or wholly submerged. | Water lilies, seaweeds |
| Desert Flora | Plants adapted to arid conditions with mechanisms to conserve water. | Cacti, succulents |
| Alpine Flora | Plants found in mountainous regions, adapted to cold temperatures and strong winds. | Edelweiss, rhododendrons |
| Cosmopolitan Flora | Plants that are widespread and found in various regions across the world. | Daisies, clovers |
| Microflora | Microscopic plants, primarily bacteria and fungi, living in specific environments. | Lactobacillus in the human gut |
What is Fauna?
The term Fauna was derived from the name of a Roman goddess that represents animal species in an area. Fauna refers to the animal kingdom in a specific geographical area. It includes everything within animal life from animals, birds, fish and even microorganisms. Fauna acquire food from organisms that can synthesize their own food.
Types of Fauna
| Type of Fauna | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Megafauna | Large animals, typically larger than a human, either currently living or extinct. | Elephants, giraffes, woolly mammoth |
| Microfauna | Small, often microscopic animals. | Protozoans, mites |
| Avifauna | Specific to birds. | Eagles, sparrows |
| Piscifauna | Refers to fish species of a particular region. | Salmon, clownfish |
| Herpetofauna | Includes reptiles and amphibians. | Snakes, frogs, lizards |
| Infauna | Aquatic animals living within sediments of water bodies. | Worms, clams |
| Epifauna | Aquatic animals living on the surface of sediments or attached to hard substrates. | Barnacles, crabs |
| Cryptofauna | Animals that are hidden or concealed, often in small spaces. | Small invertebrates in crevices |
| Domestic Fauna | Animals domesticated by humans for various purposes. | Cattle, dogs, chickens |
| Wild Fauna | Non-domesticated animals living in natural environments without direct human influence. | Lions, eagles, sharks |
Importance of Flora and Fauna
Flora and fauna, representing the plant and animal life respectively, play a pivotal role in the health and well-being of our planet. They have the following important role to play:
Ecological Balance:
- Flora and fauna are integral components of the Earth’s ecosystems. They contribute to the balance of nature by participating in various ecological processes like nutrient cycling, decomposition, and the food chain.
- Plants, as primary producers, convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain. Animals, in turn, rely on plants and other animals for sustenance.
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Biodiversity:
- It refers to the diversity of life on Earth, encompassing the different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the genetic differences among them, and the ecosystems they form.
- Rich biodiversity ensures resilience against natural disasters, diseases, and changes in the environment. It also ensures a stable ecosystem that can recover from disturbances.
Economic Value:
- Many regions around the world rely on flora and fauna for their economic well-being. This includes industries like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and tourism.
- Forests provide timber, medicinal plants, and other valuable resources. Fisheries and livestock industries are dependent on the availability and health of certain fauna.
Cultural and Aesthetic Significance:
- Flora and fauna have always been a source of inspiration for art, literature, religion, and folklore across cultures.
- Natural landscapes, rich in flora and fauna, provide aesthetic and recreational value, contributing to mental well-being.
Medicinal Value:
- A significant portion of modern medicines is derived from plants. Traditional medicine systems, like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, heavily rely on plant and animal-based remedies.
Environmental Indicators:
- The presence, abundance, or absence of certain species of flora and fauna can serve as indicators of the health of an environment. For instance, lichens are often used as bio-indicators of air quality.
Climate Regulation:
- Forests, a major component of flora, play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate. They act as carbon sinks, absorbing more carbon dioxide than they emit.
- Wetlands, inhabited by specific flora and fauna, act as buffers during floods and improve water quality.
Soil Conservation and Fertility:
- Plants prevent soil erosion with their roots holding the soil together. Certain plants also enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, improving soil fertility.
- Fauna, like earthworms, enhance soil quality by aerating the soil and contributing to decomposition.
Cultural Identity:
- Certain plants and animals are emblematic of particular regions or countries, becoming symbols of cultural identity.
Scientific Research:
- Studying various plants and animals has led to numerous scientific discoveries, enhancing our understanding of biology, genetics, evolution, and more.
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Biogeographical Distribution of Flora and Fauna
| Biogeographical Zone | Description | Examples of Flora and Fauna |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Rainforests | Located near the equator with high rainfall and consistent temperatures. Most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems. | Flora: Various plant species Fauna: Mammals, birds, reptiles, insects |
| Deserts | Areas with low rainfall. Can be hot (e.g., Sahara) or cold (e.g., Gobi). | Flora: Cacti Fauna: Camels |
| Polar Regions | Characterized by extreme cold in the Arctic (north) and Antarctic (south). | Flora: Mosses, lichens Fauna: Polar bears, penguins, seals |
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FAQs
What are native plants?
Native plants include species of shrubs, trees, vines, wildflowers, grasses, and ferns that grow regionally. They have coevolved with the regionu2019s animals, insects, amphibians, bacteria, and fungi. Many native species depend on one another for survival, and their interrelationships help sustain ecosystems.
What is a native species?
These are the naturally occurring form of a native plant which is also referred to as a true native or wild-type. They reproduce by seed in the wild, leading to genetic diversity.
What is a cultivar?
A selected form of native plant that is selected for its ornamental traits is labeled as a cultivar. Cultivars result from a natural or artificial mutation or from hybridizing two species. They are reproduced by cloning.
What is the difference between wild and domesticated plants?
A wild plant grows and reproduces without human assistance, while a domesticated plant depends on humans to reproduce and grow.
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