Final Project

Topic:
What Role Species Play in Ecosystem of Islamabad?

Date:
27th June 2021

Subject
Natural Resources

Submitted By:
Syed Kumail Abbas

Submitted To:
Dr. Zakeer Ahmed

Faculty of Contemporary Studies

Department of Leadership and Management Studies
National Defence University, Islamabad
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction....................................................................................................................................1
2. Ecosystem......................................................................................................................................1
2.1. Definition................................................................................................................................1
2.2. Types of Ecosystem................................................................................................................2
2.2.1. Terrestrial Ecosystem......................................................................................................2
2.2.2. Aquatic Ecosystems.........................................................................................................3
2.3. Structure of Ecosystem...........................................................................................................3
2.3.1. Biotic Components..........................................................................................................4
2.3.2. Abiotic Components........................................................................................................4
2.4. Functions of Ecosystem..........................................................................................................5
2.5. Ecosystem of Islamabad..........................................................................................................5
3. Species...........................................................................................................................................5
3.1. Definition................................................................................................................................5
3.2. Biological species found in Islamabad....................................................................................5
3.3. Animals...................................................................................................................................5
3.3.1. Mammals.........................................................................................................................6
3.3.2. Birds.................................................................................................................................6
3.3.3. Reptiles............................................................................................................................6
3.3.4. Amphibians......................................................................................................................6
3.4. Plants.......................................................................................................................................6
4. Role of Species in Ecosystem of Islamabad..................................................................................6
4.1. Birds........................................................................................................................................8
4.2. Reptiles....................................................................................................................................9
4.3. Mammals.................................................................................................................................9
4.4. Amphibians...........................................................................................................................10
4.5. Plants.....................................................................................................................................10
5. Conclusion...................................................................................................................................11
6. References....................................................................................................................................11

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 What Role Species Play in Ecosystem of
Islamabad?
1. Introduction
With its dramatic geological history, broad latitudinal spread and immense altitudinal range,
Pakistan spans a remarkable number of the world's broad ecological regions. These range from the
coastal mangrove forests of the Arabian Sea to the spectacular mountain tops where the western
Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges meet. This variety of habitats also supports a rich
variety of different species which contributes to the overall biological diversity (or “biodiversity”) of
the country.

2. Ecosystem
2.1. Definition
Ecosystem is defined as a community of living organisms in conjunction with the non-living
components of their environment. These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through
nutrient cycles and energy flows. Energy enters the system via photosynthesis and get incorporated
in the plant tissue. By feeding on plants and on one another, animals play a key role in the movement
of energy as well as matter through the entire system.

Two factors are responsible for controlling the ecosystems, external and internal. External factors
comprise of climate, parent material, and topography. External factors are not influenced by the
ecosystem, instead they control the structure of an ecosystem. On the other hand, internal factors are
controlled and include root competition, shading, disturbance, succession, decomposition, and the
types of species present.

Ecosystems are known as dynamic entities and are subject to periodic disturbances. Ecosystems in
similar environments located in different parts of the world can do things differently because of the
presence of different pools of species. Moreover, the internal factors control ecosystem processes,
are controlled by them, and are subject to feedback loops.

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Availability of resources in the ecosystem is controlled by the internal factors like root competition,
shading, decomposition etc. Humans also operate within the ecosystems and their cumulative effects
are large enough to influence the external factors. Biodiversity is also said to affect the functioning
of the ecosystem. Ecosystem offers a number of goods and services on which people depend.

2.2. Types of Ecosystem

Ecosystems can be as big as an ocean, or as small as an oasis. Ecosystems are classified into two
different categories:

 Terrestrial Ecosystem
 Aquatic Ecosystem

2.2.1. Terrestrial Ecosystem

Terrestrial ecosystems are the ones that are land-based ecosystems. Different types of terrestrial
ecosystems are distributed around various geological zones. These terrestrial ecosystems are the
following:

 Forest Ecosystems
 Grassland Ecosystems
 Tundra Ecosystems
 Desert Ecosystems

2.2.1.1. Forest Ecosystem

It comprises of a number of plants, animals, and microorganisms living in coordination with abiotic
factors of the environment. Forests are known to maintain the temperature of the earth and are the
major carbon sink.

2.2.1.2. Grassland Ecosystem

In a grassland ecosystem, vegetation is dominated by grasses and herbs. Some common examples of
grassland ecosystems are temperate grasslands, and savanna grasslands.

2.2.1.3. Tundra Ecosystem

Tundra ecosystems are devoid of trees. These ecosystems are usually found in cold climates or
places where the rainfall is scarce. These ecosystems are covered with snow for most of the ear.

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Some common examples of tundra ecosystems include the ecosystems in the Arctic or mountain
tops.

2.2.1.4. Desert Ecosystem

Desert are found in almost every part of the world. Deserts are the regions with minimum rainfall.
The days in the deserts are hot whereas the nights are old

2.2.2. Aquatic Ecosystems

Aquatic ecosystems are the ones present in the body of water. These ecosystems are divided into two
different categories:

 Freshwater ecosystem
 Marine ecosystem

2.2.2.1. Freshwater Ecosystem

Freshwater ecosystem is the one that comprises of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands. There
is no salt content in the freshwater ecosystem.

2.2.2.2. Marine Ecosystem

A marine ecosystem comprises of seas and oceans. Unlike freshwater ecosystem, these have a more
substantial salt content and greater biodiversity.

2.3. Structure of Ecosystem

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The structure of an ecosystem is characterized by the organization of abiotic and biotic components.
This may include distribution of energy in the environment, and climatic conditions prevailing in
that particular environment.

The structure of ecosystem is split into two main components which are:

 Biotic Components
 Abiotic Components

Biotic components and abiotic components are interrelated in an ecosystem. It is an open system
where energy and components can flow throughout the boundaries.

2.3.1. Biotic Components

Biotic components refers to all life in an ecosystem. Biotic components are further divided into
Producers (autotroph), Consumers (heterotrophs), and Decomposers (saprotrophs).

 Producers: These include all autotrophs like plants. They are known as autotrophs because
they can produce food using photosynthesis. All organisms higher up on the food chain rely
on producers for food.
 Consumers: Consumers also known as heterotrophs are organisms which depend on other
organisms for food. Consumers are further divided into primary consumers, secondary
consumers, and tertiary consumers.
i) Primary Consumers: Primary consumers are herbivores which rely on the
producers for food.
ii) Secondary Consumers: These organisms rely on primary consumers for energy.
They are either carnivore or an omnivore.
iii) Tertiary Consumers: These organisms depend on secondary consumers for food
and can also be an omnivore.
iv) Quaternary Consumers: These organisms are present in some food chains. They
prey on tertiary consumers for energy and are present at the top of a food chain
because they don’t have any natural predators.
 Decomposers: These organisms are saprophytes like fungi and bacteria. They thrive on the
dead and decaying organic matter. They play a key role in the ecosystem as they help in
recycling nutrients to be reused by plants.

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 2.3.2. Abiotic Components
Abiotic components are the non-living components of an ecosystem. These comprise of air, water,
soil, minerals, nutrients, wind, turbidity, altitude, temperature etc.

2.4. Functions of Ecosystem

 Regulates the essential ecological processes, supports life systems, and renders stability
 Responsible for the cycling of nutrients between biotic and abiotic components
 Maintains balance among the various trophic levels in the ecosystem
 Cycles the minerals through the biosphere
 Abiotic components help to synthesize the organic components involving the exchange of
energy.

2.5. Ecosystem of Islamabad

Islamabad is located at 33.43°N 73.04°E at the northern edge of the Pothohar Plateau and at the foot
of the Margalla Hills. Its elevation is 540 metres (1,770 ft).The geography is rough, with various
valleys and steep slants. Rocks have been seen to trace all the way back to the Jurassic and Triassic
ages, limestone being normal for the district (however shale, earth, and sandstone are additionally
present). Soils are dim, with a high mineral substance, and are equipped for supporting great tree
development in spite of being shallow. The environment is subtropical semi-bone-dry. The area lies
in the rainstorm belt and encounters two blustery seasons. Winter rains last from January until
March, and summer downpours from July to September. Temperatures range from 1-15 °C in winter
and 20-40 °C throughout the late spring. Yearly normal precipitation is 1,000 mm. There have been
periodic episodes of light snowfall in extreme winters in the Margalla Hills.

3. Species
3.1. Definition
A species is a group of organisms that share a genetic heritage, are able to interbreed, and to create
offspring.

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 3.2. Biological species found in Islamabad
3.3. Animals
A total of 155 animal species have been observed in the current study area. Out of these species 23
species of Mammals, 104 of Birds, 22 of Reptiles and 6 species of Amphibians have been recorded.

3.3.1. Mammals
A total of 23 mammalian species have been observed out of which 8 species belong to the family
Mufidae while Canidae, Viverridae and Herpestidae, each have two member species in this area.
Furthermore the Families Soricidae, Pteropidae, Cercopithecidae, Mantidae and Felidae are also
present.

3.3.2. Birds
A total of 104 species of birds belonging to 16 orders, 42 families and 73 genera were observed in
Islamabad.

3.3.3. Reptiles
The reptile fauna of Islamabad is represented by the 22 species, belonging to 19 genera, 9 families
and 2 orders.

3.3.4. Amphibians
The amphibian fauna of Islamabad belongs to only one single order that is “Anura”, three species
representing three different families.

3.4. Plants
A total of 61 plant species were observed there belonging to 28 different families, including 8
species of Fabaceae, 10 of Poaceae, 4 of each Acanthaceae and Euphorbiaceae, 3 of both
Amaranthaceae and Asteraceae. Asparagaceae, Moraceae, Malvaceae, Verbenaceae, Bignoniaceae
and Rhamnaceae has 2 species while Myrtaceae, Canabaceae, Apocynaceae, Cypiraceae,
Solanaceae, Spindaceae, Lythraceae, Meliaceae, Oxalidaceae, Pinaceae, Salicaceae, Bombacaceae,
Zygophllaceae, Ehertiaceae, Simaroubaceae and Buxaceae all have one species growing

4. Role of Species in Ecosystem of Islamabad

Climate change and other human-driven (anthropogenic) environmental changes will continue to
cause biodiversity loss in the coming decades (Sala et al. 2000), in addition to the high rates of

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species extinctions already occurring worldwide (Stork 2010). Biodiversity is a term that can be used
to describe biological diversity at a variety of different scales, but in this context we will focus on
the description of species diversity. Species play essential roles in ecosystems, so local and global
species losses could threaten the stability of the ecosystem services on which humans depend
(McCann 2000). For example, plant species harness the energy of the sun to fix carbon through
photosynthesis, and this essential biological process provides the base of the food chain for myriad
animal consumers. At the ecosystem level, the total growth of all plant species is termed primary
production, and — as we'll see in this article — communities composed of different numbers and
combinations of plant species can have very different rates of primary production. This fundamental
metric of ecosystem function has relevance for global food supply and for rates of climate change
because primary production reflects the rate at which carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) is removed
from the atmosphere. There is currently great concern about the stability of both natural and human-
managed ecosystems, particularly given the myriad global changes already occurring. Stability can
be defined in several ways, but the most intuitive definition of a stable system is one having low
variability (i.e., little deviation from its average state) despite shifting environmental conditions. This
is often termed the resistance of a system. Resilience is a somewhat different aspect of stability
indicating the ability of an ecosystem to return to its original state following a disturbance or other
perturbation.

Species diversity has two primary components: species richness (the number of species in a local
community) and species composition (the identity of the species present in a community). While
most research on the relationship between ecosystem diversity and stability has focused on species
richness, it is variation in species composition that provides the mechanistic basis to explain the
relationship between species richness and ecosystem functioning. Species differ from one another in
their resource use, environmental tolerances, and interactions with other species, such that species
composition has a major influence on ecosystem functioning and stability.

The traits that characterize the ecological function of a species are termed functional traits, and
species that share similar suites of traits are often categorized together into functional groups. When
species from different functional groups occur together, they can exhibit complementary resource-
use, meaning that they use different resources or use the same resources at different times. For
example, two animal predators may consume different prey items, so they are less likely to compete

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with one another, allowing higher total biomass of predators in the system. In the case of plants, all
species may utilize the same suite of resources (space, light, water, soil nutrients, etc.) but at
different times during the growing season — for example, early- and late-season grasses in prairies.
Increasing species diversity can influence ecosystem functions — such as productivity — by
increasing the likelihood that species will use complementary resources and can also increase the
likelihood that a particularly productive or efficient species is present in the community. For
example, high plant diversity can lead to increased ecosystem productivity by more completely,
and/or efficiently, exploiting soil resources (e.g., nutrients, water). While primary production is the
ecosystem function most referred to in this article, other ecosystem functions, such as decomposition
and nutrient turnover, are also influenced by species diversity and particular species traits.

Theoretical models suggest that there could be multiple relationships between diversity and stability,
depending on how we define stability (reviewed by Ives & Carpenter 2007). Stability can be defined
at the ecosystem level — for example, a rancher might be interested in the ability of a grassland
ecosystem to maintain primary production for cattle forage across several years that may vary in
their average temperature and precipitation. Figure 1 shows how having multiple species present in a
plant community can stabilize ecosystem processes if species vary in their responses to
environmental fluctuations such that an increased abundance of one species can compensate for the
decreased abundance of another. Biologically diverse communities are also more likely to contain
species that confer resilience to that ecosystem because as a community accumulates species, there is
a higher chance of any one of them having traits that enable them to adapt to a changing
environment. Such species could buffer the system against the loss of other species. Scientists have
proposed the insurance hypothesis to explain this phenomenon (Yachi & Loreau 1999).

Islamabad is located at 33.43°N 73.04°E at the northern edge of the Pothohar Plateau and at the foot
of the Margalla Hills in Islamabad Capital Territory. Its elevation is 540 metres (1,770 ft).The
geography is rough, with various valleys and steep slants. Rocks have been seen to trace all the way
back to the Jurassic and Triassic ages, limestone being normal for the district (however shale, earth,
and sandstone are additionally present). Soils are dim, with a high mineral substance, and are
equipped for supporting great tree development in spite of being shallow. The environment is
subtropical semi-bone-dry. The area lies in the rainstorm belt and encounters two blustery seasons.
Winter rains last from January until March, and summer downpours from July to September.

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Temperatures range from 1-15 °C in winter and 20-40 °C throughout the late spring. Yearly normal
precipitation is 1,000 mm. There have been periodic episodes of light snowfall in extreme winters in
the Margalla Hills.

4.1. Birds
Birds occupy many levels of trophic webs, from mid-level consumers to top predators in Islamabad.
As with other native organisms, birds help maintain sustainable population levels of their prey and
predator species and, after death, provide food for scavengers and decomposers.

Many birds are important in plant reproduction through their services as pollinators or seed
dispersers. Birds also provide critical resources for their many host-specific parasites, including lice
that eat only feathers, flies adapted for living on birds, and mites that hitchhike on birds from plant to
plant and even between countries.

Some birds are considered keystone species as their presence in (or disappearance from) an
ecosystem affects other species indirectly. For example, woodpeckers create cavities that are then
used by many other species. After the extinction of the dodo, it was discovered that a tree whose
fruits had been a primary food item of the dodo was unable to reproduce without its seeds passing
through the dodos’ digestive tracts, which process scarified the seed coat and enabled germination.

4.2. Reptiles
Reptiles are important components of the food webs in most ecosystems. They fill a critical role both
as predator and prey species. Herbivorous species can also be important seed dispersers, particularly
on island habitats. They are also known to act as pollinators, and the blue-tailed day gecko
(Phelsuma cepediana) is now the only pollinator for the rare plant Trochetia blackburniana. Reptile
species can also have a useful anthropogenic role. In some areas, they help control the numbers of
serious agricultural pests by consuming rodent and insect pests.

4.3. Mammals
Mammals always play a vital role for whichever ecosystem they live in. Mammals are typically
important for maintaining services and functions associated with sustaining a balanced ecosystem,
such as playing the prey-predator role in the environment, seed dispersal.

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Mammals have important roles in the food webs of practically every ecosystem. Mammals are
important members of food chains and food webs, as grazers and as predators. Mammals can feed at
various levels of food chains, as herbivores, insectivores, carnivores and omnivores.

Bats are unexpectedly critical to the ecosystem. Bats are often considered “keystone species”.
Without bats’ pollination and seed-dispersing services, local ecosystems could gradually collapse as
plants fail to provide food and cover for wildlife species near the base of the food chain. Bats are
also critical to the ecosystem through their pest control services.

4.4. Amphibians
Amphibians are one of the main links in many ecosystem food webs. Amphibians including their
larvae are important predators of invertebrates. Removal of amphibians from particular habitat can
have drastic consequence by increasing insect populations.

4.5. Plants
Plants are the most important producers; Plants use energy from sunlight to convert CO2 into
glucose (or other sugars). Plants with roles in the ecosystem are called ecological services. They
keep us and the rest of the ecosystem alive.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the main greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Plants
take in CO2 and release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. This CO2 is used as building
blocks for new tissues such as their trunk, branches, leaves and roots that act as carbon stores.

When forests are pruned or burned, huge amounts of carbon are deposited in plant tissue and the soil
is released into the atmosphere. This is why it is so important to protect these habitats, especially in
ancient primary forests with native species that have had very little human existence in the past. This
one is of the great importance of plants in the ecosystem of Islamabad.

Since plants are considered the primary producers, ecology plants play an important role in feeding
the earth's wildlife and humans. Insects, animals, birds, and microbes feed on green plants. These
organisms are subsequently eaten by larger animals, which are themselves eaten by even larger
animals.

An important byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen. According to sources, a single large tree can
produce enough oxygen for four people in one day. Without plants, humans and animals will have

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less air to breathe. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants release oxygen back into the
atmosphere.

Plants improve air quality through several mechanisms: they increase humidity by transferring water
vapor through microscopic leaf pores, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through
photosynthesis. But plants are not usually selected for indoor use, not for air-purifying capabilities,
but for their appearance and survival ability. Plants have also shown to lower stress levels at home
and in the workplace and, if that’s not enough, also boast the additional health benefits below:

 They help you sleep better

 They help fight colds
 They help you focus
 They help improve your wellbeing

5. Conclusion
Located at 33.43°N 73.04°E at the northern edge of the Pothohar Plateau and at the foot of the
Margalla Hills, Islamabad is home to a total of 155 animal species, out of which species 23 species
of Mammals, 104 of Birds, 22 of Reptiles and 6 species of Amphibians, and 61 plant species
belonging to 28 different families.

6. References
 GoP (1999). Biodiversity Action Plan for Government of Pakistan. IUCN P/WWF-P. pp 79.
 Shinwari MI and Khan MA (2001). MarkeTable Medicinal Plants of Margalla Hills National
Park, Islamabad. Pak. J. Forestry 51, 63-70.
 IUCN (1991). Management Plant: Margalla Hills National Park.
 Shaukat SS, Khairi A and Ahmad R (1976). A phytosociologyical study of Gadap area, Southern
Sind, Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot. 8 (2), 133- 149.
 Barbour MG, Burk JH and Pitts WD (1980). Terrestrial Plant Ecology. The Benjamin/Cummings
Publishing Company Inc. London. pp 604.
 Chul KS and Mody K (1983). Comparison of some methodologies for vegetation analysis in
transplanted rice. Korean J. Crop Sci. 28 (3), 310-318.

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 Craft J (1995). The Urgency of Building Global Capacity for Biodiversity Science. Biodivers
and Conserv. 4 (5), 463-475.
 Shukla SK and Srivastava PK (1992). Environmental Wildlife Impact Analysis. Common
Wealth Publishers, New Delhi, India.

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