100%(1)100% au considerat acest document util (1 vot)
552 vizualizări20 pagini
Norweigian Fjords, Nile Valley, Mediterranean Coast, British Pine Wood, White Cliffs, Himalayas, Scottish Highlands, Welsh Mountains, Madagascar, Lake Baikal
Norweigian Fjords, Nile Valley, Mediterranean Coast, British Pine Wood, White Cliffs, Himalayas, Scottish Highlands, Welsh Mountains, Madagascar, Lake Baikal
Drepturi de autor:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Formate disponibile
Descărcați ca PDF, TXT sau citiți online pe Scribd
Norweigian Fjords, Nile Valley, Mediterranean Coast, British Pine Wood, White Cliffs, Himalayas, Scottish Highlands, Welsh Mountains, Madagascar, Lake Baikal
Drepturi de autor:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Formate disponibile
Descărcați ca PDF, TXT sau citiți online pe Scribd
P 10: WORLD HA Known as the land of the m i d n i g ~ t sun, Norway is one of the most naturally beautiful countries in Europe. Its spectacular mountains and fjords are home to an abundance of wildlife. ACTION FILE HOW THE FJORDS WERE CREATED ------------------------------ Glacial deposits Fjords exist in the world where Ice Age glaciers made deep ravines down river val- leys that later flooded with seawater. A glacier pushes huge piles of rock at its head. As it nears the sea it weakens and its grip on the valley bed loosens. These glaciers often en- larged the course of a river that followed a fault in the bedrock, making aU-shaped valley so deep that many fjord beds are several thou- sand feet below sea level. It deposits terminal moraine (debris) as a shallow bar across the fjord's mouth. This means that a fjord may be very deep in the inland valley yet shallow at its coastal end because of the build-up. Above: As a glacier grinds along a river valley toward the sea, it gouges the bedrock from the valley floor, pushing before it the loosened rubble and boulders. Above right: There is often a shallow area below the fjord's coastal mouth. This is terminal moraine-rubble deposited by the glacier-piled on top of solid shelving bedrock. Right: At the inland head of the fjord, a river often spreads into a delta formed by the silt it washes down from the hillsides. This is prime farming land. MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. The fertile delta When the glacier has re- treated, the valley's original river continues to flow down from the steep hills, usually at a site far inland. Where this river joins the head of the fjord it deposits fertile silt, often cutting the valley floor into a delta. The land is rich, with fresh water and forested slopes. 0160200241 PACKET 24 Most Norwegians live along the shores of the fjords, where fishing, farming, and forestry are their major occupations. The climate in the area is surprisingly mild, enabling many species of flora and fauna to flourish. ~ FEATURES Norway is a long, narrow strip of land situated high up in the north of Europe. Its long coastline is pitted with steep- sided valleys known as fjords, which hold some of the deep- est inland waters in the world. A fjord is a deep ravine where seawater penetrates far into the mountainous interior (see back cover). Fjords are most common in Norway, although they are found in other parts of the world. The Norwegian coast stretches 2,100 miles, but because it is deeply scored with fjords the actual length of the coastline is nearly ten times as long, or more than half the circumference of the world. Front cover inset left: The European wolf once roamed the Norwegian forests in large packs. Right: The hawk owl hunts during the day. Most other owls are nocturnal. Norway is a land of varied landscapes-thousands of rocky islands, dense forests of pine and birch, heaths, and bogs. The warming Gulf Stream enables many wild- flowers, berries, and mush- rooms to flourish. The glacier crowfoot holds the altitude record among Nor- way's flowering plants. It grows as high as 7,800 feet above sea level. The wood anemone is one of the earliest of Norway's ~ BIRDS The Norwegian fjord is a per- fect environment for an abun- dance of birdlife, from large sea birds to smaller woodland- dwelling creatures. The largest bird refuges are in the north Norwegian Lofoten Islands. Here, on 365 small islands, the black guillemot, puffin, white-tailed eagle, kittiwake, fulmar, gannet, and black- tailed godwit live undisturbed. Other insect-eating birds, such as the warbler and the Left: The fjords have created a landscape of contrasts: high mountains, wooded, grassy shorelines, and deep, still lakes. flowering mountain plants, blooming at the end of April, often before the snows have disappeared. The vivid blue color of the small gentian makes it one of the most spectacular flowers in the area. Another flower to look for is the Scandinavian primrose, which grows on rock ledges. Above: Salmon provides an abundant food source for humans and animals. flycatcher, migrate from the tropics to the coniferous for- ests each summer. The white- tailed eagle, eagle owl, hawk owl, and peregrine falcon also make the fjords their home. Food is plentiful here, and the long hours of daylight are ideal for rearing their young. The coniferous forests are alive with mammals. Among the smallest are members of the shrew family. Other small rodents, such as voles and lemmings, are abundant, providing plentiful prey for owls and eagles. Larger animals such as the elk also inhabit the forest. The red deer lives on the southern coast. Reindeer and wolver- Right: A pair of courting kittiwakes perches on a rock face. Below: A white-tailed sea eagle with a salmon. ines are also common here. Many mammals live in the steep-sided mountains that rise up from the shores of the fjords. Snow and ice provide essential water for the ani- mals, as well as a home for many beaver and otter who feed on the abundant fish. Larger animals often find survival difficult in the cold, although certain species, like the mountain goat, are ideally suited to the environment. Rarer, though occasionally visible in the far north, are the brown bear, the lynx, and the European wolf. Below left: An adult moose and its calf live in the forest surrounding the fjords. Below: The beoutiful but rare lynx lives in the mountainous regions of the north. ,THE NILE VALLEY AND ITS WILDLIFE The Nile is the longest river in the world. It passes through forest, marsh, and desert on its long course to the sea, and it is home to many species-some u ~ i q u e to this great river. KEY FACTS THREATS TO THE NILE People have altered the Nile Valley for agriculture for more than 5,000 years. Since the late nineteenth century, dams and barrages have been built to prevent flooding and pro- vide water for irrigation and power. The largest, the Aswan High Dam, was constructed in 1959. The Nile water below Cairo is used for industry and irriga- tion in the heavily populated Right: The dam at Aswan in Upper Egypt has disrupted wildlife habitats in the area. THESUDD In southern Sudan, the Nile flows through 11,580 square miles of swamp, in an area known as the Sudd. Antelope species such as the sitatunga, reedbuck, white- Nile Delta area. Little wildlife of the lower Nile has survived industrial pollution, irrigation schemes, and fertilizers and pesticides from farming. Relatively untouched by humans, the upper Nile is threatened by overgrazing and poaching of hippos and crocodiles. If the Jonglei ca- nal is completed, it will divert river water from the Sudd, drying out these wetlands. eared kob, mongalla gazelle, and Nile lechwe live here. The most common large mam- mal, the topi antelope, mi- grates in herds of thousands. Buffalo, elephants, and gi- raffes inhabit the area. Lions live here mostly during the dry season, as do leopards and spotted hyenas. In the dry season, huge flocks of glossy ibis, open bill storks, spurwinged geese, and marabou storks appear. In the wet season from May to Oc- tober, flooding provides small pools for nesting sites for the shoebill and crowned cranes. Left: The sacred ibis is rare in the 5udd while the glossy ibis is common. MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. o j. . _ . JIL __ til.. _ .i .,-:.:;' EGYPT ! j r ,.r- .....! ..... . SUDAN ZAIRE 0160200311 PACKET 31 For most of its course the Nile provides its wildlife with a fertile range of habitats. Many different species thrive in the untouched areas of the river, but the presence of humans along parts of the Nile has led to the destruction of plants and animals that were once widespread. THE NILE The Nile measures a record 4,150 miles from its source, Lake Victoria in Uganda. The great river passes through the tropical forests, grasslands, and savannahs of Uganda, the vast reed swamps of the Sudd in Sudan, and the arid deserts of Egypt. In the north, humans have forced out the wildlife, culti-
Many of its more than 100 spe- cies of fish are found only in the Nile. People near the river eat the small, brightly colored cichlid and common tilapia. The predatory Nile perch, often as long as three feet, is the larg- Right: The African catfish's gills absorb oxygen from the water. Front cover insets: The saddlebill stork eats fish from the Nile. The marsh mongoose lives in swamps around the Nile. vating the land for crops. The sacred ibis, a wading bird considered sacred by ancient Egyptians, is now rare. Even papyrus, the tall sedge plant that was once used for rafts, cloth, fuel, and the first paper, no longer grows in Egypt. Right: The sitatunga is a species of antelope common in the Sudd, a wetland area of Sudan. est fish in the Nile. The African labyrinthic catfish is almost as large as the perch. It has special gills for absorbing oxygen from standing water and a special breathing organ for moving over land.
Huge flocks of flamingoes feed in lakes along the Nile valley, sieving the water with their upside-down bills. Their pink color comes from eating large quantities of shrimp. The thick-crested hamer- kop's name comes from the Afrikaans word meaning "hammer head." It travels the river on the backs of hippo- potamuses, dipping into the water for frogs and other aquatic animals. Left: The aggressive Nile crocodile basks in the sun to keep ns body temperature regulated. The rare shoebill, a large, blue-gray stork with a heavy boat-shaped bill, eats small crocodiles, frogs, and turtles. It uses its bill to scoop up food such as the lungfish, which hibernates in mud dur- ing the dry season. The saddlebill stork darts its black, red, and yellow bill into the shallows to catch fish. Other fish-eating birds of the Nile include kingfishers, fish- ing owls, and ospreys. LARGE ANIMALS The 16-foot Nile crocodile is the largest and most feared Nile inhabitant. It basks in the sun on the riverbanks to keep an even body temperature. It warns off predators by baring its teeth. Sliding into the wa- ter, the crocodile catches fish, birds, and mammals. Unable to chew its prey, it bites and twists it violently to break off chunks of flesh. The soft-shelled turtle, an- other aggressive water preda- tor, has many blood vessels in its shell to absorb oxygen from the water. At night the hippopotamus emerges from the water to Left: An aggressive predator, the soft-shelled turtle is easily injured if attacked. feed on grass. It looks gentle in the water with only its eyes, ears, and nostrils show- ing, but on land it may charge if disturbed. The marsh mongoose lives in the swamps and marshes, feeding on frogs, fish, shrimp, and crocodile eggs along the banks. Many mammals get food and water at the river, depending on it for their sur- vival. But the sitatunga ante- lope grazes only on marsh plants. It can walk on soft ground with its wide hoofs, blending into the reeds with its brown coat and pale verti- cal stripes. Left: The rare shoebill stork's spadelike bill digs up lungfish hibernating in the mud during the dry season. THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST AND ITS WILDLIFE GROUP 10: WORLD HABITA Much more than just a beach resort, the Mediterranean shore yields a broad variety of habitats, containing wildlife that ranges from the commonplace to the rare and exotic. __________________________ THE COAST'S FRAGILE ECOLOGY The Mediterranean is the world's largest and busiest inland sea. Factories pump half a million tons of sewage into it each year. Nearly 100 million tourists visit each year, and that figure will double in the next 40 years. Tourist facilities cover much of the coast, but some wild areas still exist. Right: The beach and delta at Oalayan, Turkey. Tourism threatens this beautiful nesting site for the loggerhead turtle. Below left: Thin vegetation grows on the stony coast of Poras Island. Below right: Rock strata can be seen in this forested cliff on Corfu Island. THE MOUFlON- WllD SHEEP OF THE MOUNTAINS The mouflon, a large, sturdy wild sheep, has a short, rusty brown blotched coat and white underparts, muzzle, and legs. The adult ram has large, curving horns; the ewe has a shorter pair. Once found only on the islands of Corsica, Cyprus, and Sardinia, it now lives in parts of Italy, mainland Europe, and the United States. Europeans hunt it for sport, but it breeds successfully in captivity. Rarely seen, it is active at dusk and night. It grazes on grasses, shrubs, and other coarse vegetation in open mountainsides and scrub. Right: The mouflon ram has large, curving horns. 1'lMr.MXr.1 IMP 1f\1r. WII nl p M PRINTFn IN I J S A The Mediterranean coast stretches west to Spain, east to Turkey, north to Italy, and south to Libya, encircling an inland sea of more than 965,000 square miles. It includes an endless variety of shoreline habitats, each supporting a unique range of wild species. THE SANDY BEACH The sand on a typical Mediter- ranean beach has three sepa- rate areas of natural activity. The sand at the top of the beach is dry and loose, making it an unsuitable habitat for SHELLED CREATURES Gastropod mollusks, shelled animals that slide over the sand on one mucus-covered foot, live in waterlogged sand. The needle shell, or common cerith, gathers in large num- bers, giving the sand a ri ch golden olive color. most marine wildlife. The damper sand in the middle of the beach supports more species. The waterlogged shoreline sand is home to many burrowing animals. Another mollusk, the dye murex, has a spiky, fawn- colored shell. Ancient Greeks and Romans extracted purple dye from it. Front inset left: The red-legged chough nests on a coastal cliff. BURROWERS The bristle worm, a typical wet-sand dweller, has a pink- ish purple body that is point- ed at the front for burrowing. Its tough skin keeps the sand from wearing it down. Some fish, such as the greater and lesser weevers, wait for prey by burying themselves in loose sand, exposing only their eyes, mouths, and dorsal fins. Their venomous spines protect them from predators. Unlike other burrowers, the urchin sea potato builds a permanent, mucus-lined home under the sand, with a chimneylike channel leading to the surface. Sometimes the sea potato's delicate heart- shaped shell can be found buried on a Mediterranean beach. Front inset right: The cushion- star clings to a submerged rock. THE ROCKY SHORE The Mediterranean's higher cliffs provide safe homes for birds such as the red-legged chough, who performs aero- batics over the rocky coves. Shy birds such as the Manx shearwater and gannet live on remote island cliffs while the lesser black-backed gull scav- BELOW THE SEA Seaweeds, anemones, worms, sponges, crustaceans, and sea squirts carpet the rocks, sur- rounded by fish and other small grazers and predators. Slender sea-spiders cling to KEY TO SPECIES 1 Lesser black-backed gull 2 Blue starfish 3 Cuttlefish 4 Common cerith 5 Dye murex 6 Bristle worm enges for garbage in towns. The storm petrel, the smallest European seabird, nests on isolated cliffs in Corsica, Sardinia, and Tunisia. It preys on plankton, fluttering low over the waves. On land, it walks on its lower legs because its feet are so weak. anemones, while purse spon- ges attach to seaweed, suck- ing in water to sieve food. Shelled animals-limpets, mussels, starfish, crabs-live on the Mediterranean rocks. 7 Sea potato 8 Greater weever fish 9 Cory's shearwater 10 Red-legged chough 11 Turkish gecko 12 Mouflon MAMMALS & REPTILES The few surviving large mam- mals of the Mediterranean include the rare mouflon sheep (see back cover) and goats that graze many coastal hillsides. The smaller rock mouse, a sandy gray rodent, lives on Yugoslavia's rocky shores. Lizards, especially the Turk- ish gecko, live on the rugged Mediterranean shores. Adhe- sive pads on its fingers and toes help it to climb up vertical surfaces. It feeds on insects at night, making a soft "tic- tac" noise. THE BRITISH PINE WOOD The few 'native pine woods that remain in Great Britain are home to such uncommon species of wildlife as the capercaillie, crested tit, pine marten, and red squirrel. KEY FACTS CHANGING PINE WOODS After the glaciers of the last Ice Age retreated from the British Isles 10,000 years ago, expan- sive pine forests grew in areas once covered with ice and snow. As the climate grew warmer broad-leaved trees began to displace the pine. The only place in Great Britain where the ancient pine forests remain is Scotland. In the late eighteenth century the de- mands of an increasingly in- dustrialized society caused most of the pine forests to be felled. Efforts to replant the forests earlier in this century have been successful for commercial use. But little wildlife was at- tracted to the uniform rows of trees. Recent planting is less rigidly organized, so the new growth more closely resembles natural forests. Wildlife such as capercaillies (the largest Eu- ropean species of grouse) and pine martens have now begun colonizing the forests. VIEWING THE SPECIES Scotch pine Birch Aspen Heather Bilberry Bracken Lady's tresses orchid Twayblade Coral root orchid Common wintergreen Twinflower False chanterelle MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM The light and airy native forest (top) contrasts strongly with the dark, ordered rows of a planted forest (above). Spring Summer - 8aeosphora myosura Pine beauty moth Eyed ladybug Wood ant Black grouse Siskin Willow warbler Crested tit Goldcrest Crossbill Long-eared owl Buzzard Red squirrel PRINTED IN U.S.A THE RED SQUIRREL The red squirrel is native to Great Britain. Once common throughout its range, it has become increasingly rare because of epidemic diseases earlier this century and the widespread destruction of its forest habitat. Today the red squirrel is still found in the newly grown pine forests of North Wales, in the county of Cumbria in northwestern England, and in Scotland. Fall Winter - - 01602001 71 PACKET 17 Once covering vast areas of Great BritaJn the forests of Scotch pine, yew, and juniper receded in the warmer climate that followed the last great Ice Age. Today the only forests to survive unchanged are in the Scottish highlands; they are only a fraction of their original size. ~ PLANT LIFE IN THE PINE WOOD The ancient pine woods are dominated by the stately Scotch pine trees. Saplings (young trees) grow among tall, mature trees and fallen trunks. Older trees may grow more than 100 feet high. Their bark is thick, cracked, and dark near the base of the trunk. The crown (top) of the pine trees becomes flat as the trees age. Birch, aspen, and rowan grow between the pines, and below them grow clumps of heather, bilberry, juniper, and bracken. Mosses carpet the forest floor, through which grow the lady's tresses orchid. Several species of winter- green are found as well. The rare twinflower blooms in the shade of the tall trees, while fungi grow on fallen trunks and among needles on the ground. ~ UP AMONG THE BRANCHES The Scotch pine woods are the only place where the increas- ingly rare pine marten and red squirrel live. Birds found here year-round are the crossbill, siskin, crested tit, long-eared owl, and goldcrest. The willow DID YOU KNOW? Wolves, wild boars, brown bears, lynx, and elk once inhabited the pine woods. The crossbill's beak is adap- ted for feeding on seeds. Its mandibles (jaws) move from side to side, allowing the bird to pry open pi ne cones to get at the seeds. Pine forests once covered three million acres in the highlands. Today they cover little more than 20,000 acres. warbler spends the summer in the forest. B'uzzards, gold- en eagles, and osprey fly above the forest canopy. Caterpillars and aphids feed on the pine trees's needles. ~ UNDER THE TREES The pine forest is the habitat of a variety of animals. Caper- caillies perch in the tall trees, and the black grouse lives on the edge of the woods. Red deer frequently graze through the undergrowth. Various types of beetle live throughout the ground veg- e t a t i o ~ . And wood ants gather pine needles from the forest floor to enlarge the mounds that cover their nests. 1 Scotch pine 2 Bi rch 3 Aspen 4 Heather 5 Bi lberry 6 Bracken 7 Twayblade 8 Coral root orchid 9 Common wi ntergreen 10 Twinflower 11 False chanterelle 12 Baeosphora myosura 13 Pi ne beauty moth 14 Eyed ladybug 15 Wood ant 16 Black grouse 17 Siskin 18 Willow warbler 19 Crested tit 20 Goldcrest 21 Long-eared owl 22 Buzzard 23 Red squi rrel 24 Pi ne marten 25 Red deer fawn 26 Red deer WILDLIFE OF THE WHITE CLIFFS The white cliffs of the British coastline appear barren. Yet many plants and animals can be found, clinging to tiny ledges or living in the cliff-top grasses. WHITE CLIFF RARITIES The white cliffs in Great Britain are home to some rare plant and ani- mal species. Wild cabbage clings to the steep cliffs. The late spider orchid blooms in colonies along cliff tops and on ledges. The Glanville fritillary butterfly is a cliff dweller. It is found only along the southern cliffs of the Isle of Wight. WHITE CLIFF EROSION The cliffs undergo constant change from the erosive activi- ties of sea, wind, and rain. Made of hard, solid white chalk, these cliffs erode slowly. Along less rugged coastlines-where the chalk is mixed with clay and sand, the process may be more dramatic. The sea's constant as- sault, along with the water that MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILp M Above: Wild cabbage grows lower down the cliff, where salt sproy deters most plants. Left: Despite frequent erosion, pltmts will quickly colonize the cliff slopes. Right: Kittiwakes use the ledges on the cliff face to build their nests. PRINTED IN U.S.A. Left: The Glanville frit- illary is seen only on the slopes of the Isle of Wight. Front cover: A fulmar soars high above the steep cliffs. is held in the soil after heavy rains, can cause avaianches: as the cliff tumbles and slides into the sea, it sometimes breaks off in huge chunks. In spring following an ava- lanche, plants colonize the new slopes created by the erosion. Daisies and coltsfoot are quick to take root. The grasses appear more slowly, but after a few sea- sons the grassy and flowery slopes of the cliff are restored- until the next avalanche. 0160200271 PACKET 27 The British chalk cliffs near the sea can be steep and dramatic; sometimes they slope gently from beach te cliff top. They provide a variety of habitats, including bare rock, cracks and ledges, grasses, and thick vegetation. ~ BIRDS & MAMMALS Seabirds can often be seen near the white cliffs, and some species nest there. Ful- mars and kittiwakes, for ex- ample, can breed on the tiny ledges. Herring gulls nest on the cliffs, as well as on the buildings of seaside towns. The rock pipit makes its nest in a well-hidden place among thick vegetation or deep in a cleft in the rock. The rock pipit is easiest to see during the spring mating season, when the male performs his song flight over the cliffs, then drops suddenly back to his perch. Where a cliff is soft enough, sand martins bore nesting holes into its face. The white cliff's most typical unter is the kestrel, PLANTS & FLOWERS The chalk diffs are very difficult for plants to colonize. The sheer slopes are an obstacle, and the chalk itself is in a con- st ant state of erosion. But wherever there is a crack in the rocks or a tiny ledge where de- bris can collect, plants take root. Samphire, thrift, and rock which hovers as it searches for prey such as voles and young rabbits. The small mammals also fall prey to weasels and stoats. These fierce and effi- cient predators also catch much bigger animals, such as adult rabbits . In among the thicker veg- etation, small birds such as sea lavender are all tolerant of the sea's salt spray. On gentler slopes, a more abundant group of wild plants thrives-especially where the chalk is mixed with other soils. Grasses like red fescue grow, along with yar- row, bird's-foot trefoil, carline build their nests. Hedgehogs search here for invertebrates. Up on the cliff top and on the grassy slopes below, rab- bits thrive. They dig their war- rens into the softer soils of the grasslands. The grazing rab- bits keep the grasses short, and jackdaws sometimes nest in old rabbit burrows near the brow of the cliffs. thistle, common centaury, and bee orchid. Eventually the grass is taken over by shrubbery, and thickets of hawthorn, sloe, gorse, and ash develop. On the cliff top, a similar sward (portion of ground covered with grass) forms, followed by shrubbery. KEY TO THE SPECIES ~ INVERTEBRATES The grasslands are the best spots on the white cliffs to find invertebrates. The red ad- miral and painted lady butter- flies arrive in spring and sum- mer. The burnet moth, com- mon blue butterfly, meadow grasshoppers, and bumble- bees are also found here. 1 Fulmar 2 Bird colony 3 Herring gull 4 Kestrel 9 Red admiral 10 Painted lady 1 7 Willow warbler 18 Rabbit 5 Jackdaw 6 Kittiwake 7 Yarrow 8 Bird's-foot trefoil 11 Glanville fritillary 12 Gorse 13 Weasel 14 Sloe 15 Kittiwake colony 16 Dunnock 19 Meadow grass- hopper 20 Bumblebee 21 Hawthorn THE HIMALAYAS AND THEIR WILDLIFE The Himalayas are the world's longest, highest mountains. One third of all mountain animals live here. The range is home to many endangered species. ACTI ON FILE THE ENDANGERED HIMALAYAS The Himalayan mountain range is one of the most en- dangered environments in the world. Mankind is gradually encroaching on the wilder- ness, building, polluting, and destroying. Although steps are now being taken to pre- serve this important habitat, it is a case of too little, too late. The elusive snow leopard has a beautiful, thick coat that is soft gray on top, paling to a pure white underside. This has made it a target for hunt- ers, and poachers; despite the species' being protected, sev- eral are killed each year. The musk deer used to be common in the Himalayas. Musk from the male's scent gland is in demand from per- fume manufacturers. Conse- quently, the species is in dan- ger of extinction, despite protection within preserves. Other endangered Hima- layan species include the brown bear, Tibetan blue bear, red panda, and black- necked crane. The Marco Polo sheep, a rare subspecies of the argali, a sheep of the Himalayan plateaus, is widely hunted despite protection. Right: Secluded valleys still preserve an unspoiled way of life for villagers and wildlife. THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAIN RANGE 10 10 YOU KNOW? l The Himalaya-Karakoram mountain range contains 96 of the world's 109 peaks over 24,000 feet. Mount Everest, the world's highest peak at 29,141 feet, was named after Col. Sir George Everest. The spiralling horns of the Himalayan markhor can grow to a length of five feet. Right: The Himalayas form a nat- ural barrier between Tibet and India and between Bhutan and Nepal. flMCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM .' .. ) PAKI CHINA .. \', .... M.t: .. INDIA PRINTED IN U.S.A. Left: The Chinese were the first to use the musk deer's scent in per- fume. This deer is now very rare in the wild. China 0160200221 PACKET 22 The Himalayan mountain range is over 7,500 miles long and 250 miles wide and includes most of Nepal and Bhutan, south Tibet, and the extreme north of India. It is divided into three zones: the Greater, Lesser, and Outer Himalayas. Since the range is so long with so many varied climates, the wildlife of the Himalayas is remarkably diverse.
The Himalayas were created about 70 million years ago when two continental plates collided, pushing up the mas- sive mountain range where they met. In this way India and Eurasia were joined together, which accounts for the wide Front cover inset: The tragopan belongs to the pheasant family. Right: The markhor is a moun- tain goat of the Himalayas. VEGETATION Four different types of vege- tation live in the Himalayas: tropical, subtropical, temper- ate, and alpine. The foothills of the Outer Himalayas are blanketed in dense tropical rainforests of bamboo, oak, and chestnut. Further west, as the altitude Right: The male monal, or Impeyan pheasant, has iridescent, multicolored plumage that he displays when court- ing his mate. This national bird of Nepal is widely hunted for sport. variety of wildlife found here. Species from Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean all con- verged here. Even today, various species of the eastern Himalayas have a west Chinese influence, while the western range has Euro-Mediterranean elements. Fossil records show that ani- mals such as the giraffe and the hippo once lived here. increases, the forest thins, and evergreen oaks, cedars, pines, and firs become the dominant species. In the alpine zone, which begins at about 12,000 feet, grows great amounts of moist vegetation, including juniper and rhododendron.
The forests of the Himalayan foothills are an ideal home for insects, including bumblebees and crane flies. Higher up the slopes, where the nights are colder, many insect species have dark bodies to absorb as much heat as possible. Many butterflies live at surprisingly high altitudes: apollos, blues, vanessas, and The bird life of the Himalayas includes Asian, European, and Indo-Chinese species. The forests are filled with magpies and woodpeckers; above the timberline live the snow cock, desert chat, and Hume's ground jay. For birds of prey the Hima- layas are a rich feeding ground. The griffon vulture, lammergeier, and golden eagle all soar on updrafts, scouring the terrain below for papilios are common up to 14,000 feet . Even higher than this are other tiny insects. No one is sure how they survive at such high altitudes; they likely feed on pollen, seeds, and other organic debris swept upward by drafts. Right: The snow leopard is a solitary predator of the high Himalayan slopes. Above: The domestic yak supplies rural nomads in Tibet with meat and hides. It also serves as a pack animal. small mammals and ground- living birds. The golden eagle has been known to take musk deer fawns and lambs. Himalayan birds are colorful. The pheasant family, for ex- ample, contains many beau- tiful species, including the crimson tragopan and the blood pheasant. Right: The Himalayan griffon scavenges carrion from a red deer carcass. More sheep species live in the Himalayas than in any other mountain range in the world. They include the Marco Polo sheep, which, because of the market for its long, spiralling horns, has been hunted almost to extinction. The largest wild sheep in the world, the great Tibetan sheep, also live here. They can withstand extreme tempera- tures ranging from scorching summers to freezing winters. Three species of mountain goat live in the Himalayas: the ibex, the markhor, and the wild goat. Three species of goat antelope live here too. The takin is the national ani- mal of Bhutan. The massive yak is the largest animal of the moun- tains, and one of the highest- dwelling animals in the world. Its long shaggy coat enables it to inhabit the coldest areas of the Himalayas. The brown bear and the Himalayan black bear scav- enge mammal carcasses, although they also eat fruit. One of the rarest bears in the world, the Tibetan blue bear, also lives here. Cats and dogs live in the Himalayas: the wolf, the wild dog, and the hill fox are common. Among the cats are: the tiger and leop- ard, as well as the jungle cat, lynx, and Pallas' cat. The beautiful snow leopard rang- es throughout the Himalayas; its prey consists of wild sheep and goats. THE WILDLIFE OF CARD 17 THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS The Scottish Highlands exist in one of the world's harshest climates, yet this natural and untamed setting provides a unique habitat for some of Great Britain's rarest wildlife. KEY FACTS THE GOLDEN EAGLE The golden eagle, the second largest bird of prey in Great Britain, is sometimes spotted soaring effortlessly on the updrafts along the edge of a cliff. In Great Britain, it is found only in Scotland. Although it is dark brown in color, the golden eagle gets its name from the gold- colored feathers that develop on the bird's head overtime. DID YOU KNOW? The deepest lake in Scotland is Loch Morar near Inverness-over 1,000 feet deep at its deepest point. Loch Lomond, more than 22 miles long, is Scotland's largest lake. Reaching a height of almost A silent and solitary hunter, the golden eagle catches its prey by swooping low, and then, by partially folding its large, powerful wings, drop- ping rapidly. It uses its talons to kill the prey and its curved beak to rip open tough skin or hide. But despite its great size and spectacular hunting skills, the golden eagle relies as much upon carrion (dead animals) for its food as it does upon killing other birds or mammals itself. Scottish farmers, fearing that eagles would prey on their lambs, killed many ea- gles with poisons and pole traps. But observation later showed that eagles general- ly attacked lambs that were already close to death from sickness or starvation. It is now illegal to kill the gold- en eagle in Scotland. 4,500 feet, the highest longest river in Scotland. mountain in Great Britain is The tallest waterfall in Ben Nevis, in Scotland. Great Britain, with a drop of Scotland has more than 160 about 2,500 feet, is in mountain peaks over 3,000 Sutherland, Scotland. feet high. The coldest place in Britain The River Tay, which is is Braemar, with an average almost 75 miles long, is the annual temperature of 43F. -slMCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. 0160200201 PACKET 20 The dramatic setting of the Scottish Highlands, with its beautiful islands, lochs, mountains, and craggy coastline, provides a vital habitat for wildlife. From the golden eagle to the wildcat, the animals of the Highlands remain remote, even today, from the interference of humans. ~ GEOLOGY OF THE HIGHLANDS The clearly identifiable bound- ary of the Scottish Highlands was produced by a series of dislocations in the earth's crust, known as the Highland Boundary Fault. It runs from Stonehaven on the north- east coast of Scotland to the northern section of the Isle of Aran. The craggy rocks of the Highlands create a rugged and inhospitable contrast to the Midland Valley and the Scottish Lowlands to the south and east. The rocks forming the High- lands are among the most an- cient in the world. Thrown up- ward by the heavings of the earth more than 600 million years ago, granite and other rocks formed mountains that were once as high as the Hi- malayas. The carving action of glaciers during the ice ages, along with millions of years of weathering and ero- sion, have shaved these peaks to their present height. Coarse-grained rocks underlie the far northwest, including the islands of the Outer Hebrides. These rocks are thought to be 2.6-billion- year-old remnants of a con- tinent that once attached Canada to Scandinavia. left: The Grampian Mountains are among the most ancient in the world. Right: The catlike pine marten inhabits the remote wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. ~ HIGHLAND WILDLIFE The wildcat, one of Great Britain's scarcest animals, is now confined mainly to the Scottish Highlands. Resembling Front cover inset: The rock ptarmigan's plumage serves as camouflqge in the Highlands. Below: The Scottish wildcat is one of the fiercest members of the animal kingdom. a heavily built tabby cat, it is a fierce animal, hunting rab- bits, mice, and other small mammals. The wildcat feeds mainly at dawn and dusk; it hides away during the day to avoid contact with humans or their dogs. Another rare, cat-sized hunter found in the Scottish Highlands is the pine mar- ten, a member of the weasel family and thought to be Great Britain's rarest mammal. Found in the mountains and forests of the western and central Highlands, the pine marten uses its agility to hunt animals such as the indige- nous red squirrel. Above: Mountain hares lose the blue tint to their fur and turn completely white in winter. The ptarmigan, a bird slightly smaller than the more common red grouse, lives on the heather moors and peat bogs of the High- lands. Its mottled plumage turns white in winter. Below: The red grouse feeds on heather, berries, and insects. THE WELSH MOUNTAINS AND THEIR WILDLIFE The rugged Welsh mountains rise more than 3,000 feet above sea level. Wet, wind-raked, and wild, they are home to a host of fascinating and rare species. KEY FACTS THE LANDSCAPE FEATURES OF THE WELSH MOUNTAINS The Welsh mountains have intricately faulted, or cracked, layers of sediment riddled with volcanic rock, providing Great Britain with rich miner- ai deposits and beautiful mountain scenery. The last Ice Age shaped the mountains when ice scoured over the mountains, leaving wide valleys, sharp- edged crags, and cwms (deep, basin-shaped lakes). A Valley in Disguise The highest peak in England and Wales, the Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon, towers 3,600 feet above sea level . The summit was once the bottom of a depression until the sur- rounding rocks eroded away. Because the rock once cov- ered an ancient ocean bed, fossilized sea shells can b-e- found allover the summit. One of the wettest areas in Great Britain, the Snowdon has an annual rainfall of 200 inches. The Welsh mountains receive more than 80 inches during an average of 225 rainy days a year. The highest northern moun- tains receive the season's first snow in Great Britain. The snow does not stay on the ground permanently, but it MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. left: In Snow- donia, the landscape is an example of the power of the glaciers that once covered the region, carving out the mountains, valleys, and lakes. The rock itself is volcanic and has held up over time as less durable rock surrounding it has eroded. has been known to stay on the ground as late as July. The Changing Landscape A treeline of sessile oaks once reached up to 2,000 feet until people in Neolithic times cut the trees down for fuel, build- ing materials, and space for agriculture. Today sheep live , in the mainly treeless habitat. ' Mat-grass mostly covers the thin, acid soils of the higher ground while sheep's fescue grows lower down. On the high moors, heather and bilberry flourish in the drier parts, and sphagnum bog moss grows in wet areas. left: Most of Snowdonia is a national park, such as this bird refuge. 0160200331 PACKET 33 From the Black Mountains in the south to the jagged peaks of Snowdonia in the north, the Welsh mountains contain almost every kind of upland habitat-from heather moors and peat bogs to deep, icy lakes and rocky crags. Welsh mountain sheep keep grass closely cropped and make wi nding trails around the peaks. Because t hey stay warm in their weather-proof fleece, t hey can feed on grass and herbs year-round. Feral goats live on high ground in central and north- ern Wales. The males, with thei r heavy horns, are espe- cially striking. The largest flesh-eater in the area is a fox smaller and more timid than the lowland fox. It feeds on sheep carrion and small mammals. Now only found in Wales and border countries, the polecat hunts voles and other small mammals at night. In Wales' northwest hills the tree-cl imbing pine marten feeds on rodents and birds. ~ I N S E C T S & SPIDERS Migrating red admiral and painted lady butterflies some- times fly over the mountai n- tops. Species like the large and small heath, the pearl- bordered fritillary, and the antler moth live in highlands. MOUNTAIN BIRDS Flying over the highest hills, the raven makes a frogl ike "croaking" call. The largest of the crows, it feeds mainly on carri on. The buzzard also flies high over the crags, search- ing the ground for food. On western hills, the rare chough searches for insects, seeds, and worms in grassy hillsides and pastures. It is easily identified by its red legs The rainbow leaf beetle, the rarest mountain invertebrate, only lives near t he top of Snowdon. Rare species of spider, incl uding Fyphocrestus simoni and Micaria alpina also live in the Wel sh mountains. and bill and acrobatic flight. A fast-flying falcon, the merlin preys on pipits and other small birds. Now rare, it has fewer breeding pairs in the area than t he better- known red kite. This fork- tailed predator circles the hills searching for small mammals, birds, and carrion. Down below, the red and black grouse picks through heather while the wheatear bobs on a rock, flashing its white rump and tail feat hers. The ri ng ouzel, a white- t hroated relative of the black- bird, also lives here. ~ REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS Several reptile and amphibian species live in the cold, damp bogs and mountain pools. In warmer months, the com- mon adder and common lizard sunbathe along the mountain paths. KEY TO SPECIES 1 Merl in 2 Ring ouzel 3 Pearl-bordered fritillary 4 Antler moth 5 Common frog 6 Pine marten 7 Red squirrel 8 Wheatear 9 Red kite In spring huge masses of spawn (jelly-covered eggs) develop into common frogs. The palmate newt, the most numerous of the three species of British newt in the region, breeds in pools. 10 Welsh sheep 11 Stonechat 12 Vole 13 Mountain hare 14 Raven 15 Polecat 16 Feral goat 17 Chough 18 Peregrine falcon Front inset left: The feral goat is a rare sight on the Welsh mountains. MADAGASCAR AND ITS WILDLIFE Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, broke away from the east coast of Africa 100 million years ago. As a result, a unique collection of animals and plants developed. KEY FACTS THE LEMURS OF MADAGASCAR Madagascar split off from mainland Africa before monkeys and apes appeared, so the lemurs took hold in their habitat. Now 19 species of lemur live on the island. Their name, meaning "spirits of the dead," reflects their nocturnal (nighttime) lifestyle and their terrifying screams. Lemurs have long been studied on Madagascar. The smallest, the lesser mouse lemur, is about the size of a mouse. The largest living today is the indris, which is about the size of a gibbon. Most lemurs have woolly coats, long tails, and large eyes to help them see at night. They feed mainly on vegeta- tion and live in the trees. The most familiar is the ring-tailed lemur. In the absence of monkeys and similar animals, lemurs have filled their ecological roles. Ring-tailed lemurs be- have like baboons; mouse lemurs behave like flying squir- rels. Still others behave like birds: the aye-aye lemur has a long middle finger to remove caterpillars from tree trunks, as a bird would use its beak. MCMXCI IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM Below left: The mouse lemur feeds on insects, fruit, frogs, and lizards. left: The red- bellied lemur is one of 19 spe- cies found only in Madagascar and the Cam- ara Islands. All lemur species are threatened by destruction of the rain- forest. Some lemurs are on the brink of extinction. Fossil remains show that lemurs have been on the island for over 50 million years. Below: The aye- aye lemur uses its long third finger to extract the flesh from fruit. 0160200291 PACKET 29 The island of Madagascar, off the east African coast, covers a range of habitats, from mountains to large rivers, rainforests, and deserts. Madagascar's animals and plants are equally varied, but little is known about many of them, and there may be thousands of species still to be discovered.
Much of Madagascar was once covered with tropical forest. Since man arrived 1,500 years ago, much of the forest is now gone. Today only the eastern, wettest end of the island has any forest left. Other areas of deciduous and thorn forest grow around the edge of the island, but these too have been damaged by man, particularly by burning. Inland, where mountains rise almost 10,000 feet, the climate is cooler and drier. Here, grasses grow from thin soil. Agriculture-especially rice farming-has damaged the soil and made it barren. Front cover inset left: Parson's chameleon. Front cover inset right: A black lemur carrying its young. Right: The fossa is Madagascar's largest carnivore. BIRDS Madagascar has many species of bird that are also found on the African mainland, includ- ing the drongo, guinea fowl, and kingfisher. Unique to Madagascar are birds such as the cuckoo roller, a graceful, PLANTS The variety of climate and habitat encourages a diversity of plants. Like the animals, the plants have evolved separately from those on mainland Africa and in many cases are distinct species. About 9,000 plant species exist on Madagascar. These include seven species of the huge baobab tree; Africa has Left: The baobab tree looks as if it is growing upside down. brightly colored bird that eats insects and lizards. A much rarer bird is the white-breasted mesite that lives on the ground. The world's rarest eagle-of which little is known-also lives here. just one species. Since hun- dreds of species have not even been discovered yet, the race is on to save the rainforest from destruction. The rosy periwinkle, found only in dry tropical forests of southern Madagascar, is the source of a drug used to treat leukemia (blood cancer) in children. Right: Many animals, including this chameleon, are found only on Madagascar.
The island of Madagascar split off from mainland Africa more than 100 million years ago, carrying with it many animals now unique to the area. They have evolved in isolation from the rest of the African conti- nent. The diversity of habitats, including tropical forests and caves, has led to a varied and interesting animal population. Some groups have many different species: about half the world's chameleon species and all of the world's lemurs live on Madagascar. Cave dwellers in the north include several unique examples of fish and insects. Many more recently evolved animals have not reached the island of Madagascar. There are no toads, antelopes, cobras, monkeys, or cats, for example. As many as 100,000 insects and invertebrates live on the island. The most exotic animals, including 11 species of lemur, are extinct, mainly from habi- tat destruction. Three giant ostrich like birds are gone; the biggest was 30 feet tall, and each of its eggs was large enough to make 70 omelets. Left: 70 species of amphibian have been discovered in the last 20 years. LAKE BAIKAL AND ITS WILDLIFE Lake Baikal is located in soutwestern Siberia-exactly halfway between Moscow and Tokyo. It is home to some of the most diverse wildlife in the world. KEY FACTS CONSERVATION As industry in the Soviet Union expanded, Lake Baikal became an ideal location for new factories. Today, about 60 industries line the lake shore. Two of the largest are a paper pulp factory and a plant that manufactures cellulose (wood fiber used as raw material). The effect of these factories on the lake's delicate ecologi- cal system has been ruinous. Every year the factories pump millions of cubic feet of waste into the lake, including heavy metal pollutants such as zinc, mercury, and tungsten. Nearly four million square miles of forest have been de- stroyed by pollution. Pollut- ants are also killing the lake's wildlife. An example is the yellow-winged cottid, a na- tive fish that spawns near one of the factories. Its mating relies on its sense of smell, which is being destroyed by waste pumped from the fac- tory. The fish are decreasing in number. Since they are an Right: A bird watching party ventures into the large tracts of coniferous forest on Lake Baikal's shore. Many such areas are protected. Right: Since the founding of reserves, the sable is recovering from depletion by fur trappers. Below: Brown Bear Coast the wooded shore of the Baikal State Reserve, provides a safe habitat for wild species. important part of the food chain, their decrease affects other animal species. BARGUZIN NATURE RESERVE The Barguzin Nature Reserve was created to protect sables. In the nineteenth century the money from one silver-black sable pelt supported a family of four for a year. By the early twentieth century, only 300 MCMXCI IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILpM PRINTED IN U.S.A. sables were left as a result of uncontrolled hunting. Since the founding of the nature reserve, sable numbers have increased. Barguzin contains 40 differ- ent animal species, including bears, lynx, reindeer, elk, squirrels, and musk deer. The reserve also has more than 600 different plant species, from tropical fronds to dwarf birch trees of the tundra. 0160200211 PACKET 21 Lake Baikal is a unique wilderness. Its abundant wildlife has evolved over 26 million years to become a delicately balanced ecological system unlike any found elsewhere in the world. Its environment is seriously threatened by pollution. UNIQUE PURITY Lake Baikal is so pure that, when the water freezes, it is possible to see 40 feet through the ice. Drivers even use the water to fill their car batteries. The continuous movement of the water- both horizontally and verti- cally-circulates oxygen to the bottom, allowing plants and animals to live there and keep the water clean. The world's second deepest lake is Tanganyika in Africa, which GOLOMY ANKA The golomyanka is a unique fish. At six to eight inches long, it is transparent and shiny with a pink tint. The fish has no air bladder, but it can Front cover inset: Male and female Baikal terns eire native to Lake Baikal. can support life only in the upper half of its water. The most important crea- ture for keeping the water pure is the epishura. This tiny shrimp is less than one sixteenth of an inch long, yet there may be as many as three million per square yard in some areas. The epishura feeds on algae, and its pop- ulation is abundant enough to purify the upper 150 feet of water three times a year. live 4,500 feet below the surface, where the pressure is great enough to crush steel. Half of the golomyanka's body content is oil; when it is re- moved from water it loses its color and dissolves. The golomyanka is the only ECOSYSTEM OF THE LAKE Baikal is the most remote lake in the world, enabling its wildlife to evolve without interference. It is a delicate ecosystem (ecological system) of nearly 2,000 plant and animal species, two thirds of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Lake Baikal contains unique fish, including the golomy- anka, grayling, sturgeon, sig, and omul. In the lake are 258 species of gamarid, a fresh- water shrimp. The resident nerpa seal is the only freshwater seal in the world. Many people living on the shore rely on the seal for their livelihood. Each year about 5,000 seals are gath- ered, but under strict con- trols. The population remains stable at about 70,000. DID YOU KNOW Lake Baikal is about 26 million years old, and it is more than 5,000 feet deep. From north to south, Baikal is longer than the area between Montreal and New York City. The shores of Lake Baikal move three quarters of an inch away from one an- fish in the northern hemi- sphere that gives birth to live young. It has no traditional spawning area; instead, it surfaces to give birth. Above left: One of Lake Baikal's many freshwater shrimp species. Right: The bizarre golomyanka. Siberia .... T ........ .... _.. f, \ , ... r ........ j .. ........ ..... ..... -., ..... .. Left: Lake Baikal's location in Asia. (; ..\ ... .... . ....... -.... F ) Mongolia .... -) Below: The lynx roams -:.f .,. ... ..... .. ,., ... " ... ).J (": Beijing in lake side reserves, protected from Siberia's biting cold by its short but thick coat. ...>\ .... .,> China j "'". ...... India j' {. other each year. In two million years, Lake Baikal may become the world's next ocean, splitting Siberia in half. Baikal contains a fifth of the world's fresh water. If all other sources dried up today, the lake contains enough water to supply every human being for the next 40 years. Above: Seals bask on the frozen lake. Erie FEATURES OF LAKE BAIKAL Lake Baikal contains a fifth of the world's fresh water. If this water were never replaced, it would take 400 years for the lake to empty. Compared with the Great Lakes of North America, the waters of Lake Baikal are 4 times deeper than Lake Superior, 7 times deeper than Lake Huron, and 25 times deeper than Lake Erie. The volume of water in Lake Baikal is greater than that of all five of the Great Lakes combined, although its surface area is smaller than Lake Superior's.