This document provides a summary of the flora and fauna found along the Dodder River. It lists 5 types of plants found along the river: Bryophytes, algae, Crocosmia, Japanese knotweed, and Impatiens glandulifera. It also lists 5 types of animals found near the river: mallard, grey heron, dipper, coot, and moorhen. The document then provides 1-2 paragraphs describing each of these types of flora and fauna.

1. Name: Aryan Prakash Srivastava
Class: IX B
Roll No.: 1177
School : The Sagar School

2. The Names Of Flora And
Fauna Of The Dodder River
Flora
 Bryophytes
 algae
 Crocosmia
 Japanese knotweed
Impatiens glandulifera
Fauna
 mallard
 grey heron
 dipper
 coot
 moorhen

3. …..Our Nature
THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD………

4.  Bryophytes
Flora
Bryophyte is a traditional name
used to refer to
all embryophytes (land plants)
that do not have true vascular
tissue and are therefore called
"non-vascular plants". Some
bryophytes do have specialized
tissues for the transport of water;
however, since these do not
contain lignin, they are not
considered to be true vascular
tissue . As of 2014, it is uncertain
whether bryophytes are a natural
or monophyletic group or
a paraphyletic group, but the
name is convenient and remains

5. in use as a collective term for mosses, hornworts, and liverworts. Bryophytes
produce enclosed reproductive structures ( gametangia and sporangia), but
they produce neither flowers nor seeds, reproducing via spores. The term
"bryophyte" comes from Greek βρύον , bryon , "tree-moss, oyster-green" +
φυτόν -phyton "plant".

6. Algae
Algae is a very large and diverse
group of eukaryotic organisms,
ranging from unicellular genera
such as Chlorella and
the diatoms to multicellular forms
such as the giant kelp, a large
brown alga that may grow up to
50 meters in length. Most
are autotrophic and lack many of
the distinct cell and tissue types
found in land plants such
as stomata, xylem and phloem.
The largest and most complex
marine algae are called seaweeds,
while the most complex
freshwater forms are the
Charophyta, a division of algae
that includes Spirogyra and
the stoneworts.

7. There is no generally accepted definition
of algae. One definition is that algae
"have chlorophyll as their primary
photosynthetic pigment and lack a sterile
covering of cells around their reproductive
cells".Other authors exclude all
prokaryotes and thus do not
consider cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)
as algae.
Algae constitute a polyphyletic group since
they do not include a common ancestor,
and although their plastids seem to have a
single origin, from cyanobacteria ,they
were acquired
in different ways. Green algae are examples of algae that have primary chloroplasts
derived from endosymbiotic cyanobacteria. Diatoms are examples of algae with
secondary chloroplasts derived from an endosymbiotic red alga. Algae exhibit a wide
range of reproductive strategies, from simple asexual cell division to complex forms
of sexual reproduction. Algae lack the various structures that characterize land plants,
such as the phyllids (leaf-like structures) of bryophytes, rhizoids in nonvascular plants,
and the roots, leaves, and other organs that are found in tracheophytes(vascular
plants). Most are phototrophic, although some groups contain members that

8. are mixotrophic, deriving energy both from photosynthesis and uptake of organic carbon
either by osmotrophy,myzotrophy, or phagotrophy. Some unicellular species of green
algae, many golden algae, euglenids, dinoflagellates and other algae have
becomeheterotrophs (also called colorless or apochlorotic algae), sometimes parasitic,
relying entirely on external energy sources and have limited or no photosynthetic
apparatus. Some other heterotrophic organisms, like the apicomplexans, are also derived
from cells whose ancestors possessed plastids, but are not traditionally considered as
algae. Algae have photosynthetic machinery ultimately derived from cyanobacteria that
produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis, unlike other photosynthetic bacteria
such as purple and green sulfur bacteria. Fossilized filamentous algae from
the Vindhya basin have been dated back to 1.6 to 1.7 billion years ago.

9. Crocosmia
Crocosmia (montbretia)is a
small genus of flowering plants in
the iris family, Iridaceae. It
is native to the grasslands of
southern and eastern Africa, ranging
from South Africa to Sudan. One
species is endemic to Madagascar.
They can
be evergreen or deciduous perenni
als that grow from basal
underground corms. The basal,
alternate leaves
are cauline and distichous. The
leaves are lanceolate. The blades
are parallel-veined. The margin is
entire. The corms are unusual in
forming vertical chains with the
youngest at the top and oldest and
largest buried most deeply in the
soil .

10. The roots of the lowermost corm in a chain
are contractile roots and drag the corm
deeper into the ground where conditions
allow. The chains of corms are fragile and
easily separated, a quality that has enabled
some species to become invasive and difficult
to control in the garden.
They have colourful inflorescences of 4 to 20
vivid red and orange subopposite flowers on a
divaricately (horizontally) branched stem. The
terminal inflorescence can have the form of
a cyme or a raceme. These flower from early
summer well into fall. The flowers are sessile
on a flexuose arched spike. The fertile flowers
arehermaphroditic. All stamens have an equal length. The style branches are apically
forked. They are pollinated by insects, birds (hummingbirds) or by the wind. The
dehiscent capsules are shorter than they are wide. They are commonly known in the
United States as coppertips or falling stars, and in the United Kingdom as montbretia.
Other names, for hybrids and cultivars, include antholyza, and curtonus. The genus name
is derived from the Greek words krokos, meaning "saffron", and osme, meaning "odor" -
from the fact that dried leaves of these plants emit a strong smell like that of saffron (a
spice derived from Crocus - another genus belonging to the Iridaceae) - when immersed in
hot water.

11. Japanese knotweed
Fallopia japonica, commonly known
as Japanese knotweed, is a large ,
herbaceous perennial plant of the
family Polygonaceae , native
to Eastern Asia in Japan
, China and Korea. In North
America and Europe the species is
very successful and has been
classified as an invasive species in
several countries.
Japanese knotweed has hollow
stems with distinct
raised nodes that give it the
appearance of bamboo , though it is
not closely related. While stems
may reach a maximum height of 3–
4 m each growing season, it is
typical to see much smaller plants in
places where they sprout through
cracks in the pavement or are
repeatedly cut down.

12. The leaves are broad oval with a truncated base, 7–14 cm long and 5–12 cm broad, with
an entire margin. The flowers are small, cream or white, produced in erect racemes 6–
15 cm long in late summer and early autumn. Closely related species include giant
knotweed (Fallopia sachalinensis, syn.Polygonum sachalinense) and Russian vine (Fallopia
baldschuanica, syn.Polygonum aubertii, Polygonum baldschuanicum). Other English names
for Japanese knotweed include fleeceflower, Himalayan fleece vine, monkeyweed, monkey
fungus, Hancock's curse, elephant ears, pea shooters, donkey rhubarb (although it is not
a rhubarb), sally rhubarb, Japanese bamboo, American bamboo, and Mexican bamboo
(though it is not a bamboo). In Chinese medicine, it is known as Huzhang (Chinese: 虎
杖; pinyin: Hǔzhàng), which translates to "tiger stick." There are also regional names, and
it is sometimes confused withsorrel. In Japanese, the name is itadori (虎杖, イタドリ).

13. Impatiens glandulifera
Impatiens glandulifera is a
large annual plant native to
the Himalayas. Via human
introduction it is now present across
much of the Northern Hemisphere
and considered an invasive species
in some areas.
The common names Policeman's
Helmet, Bobby Tops, Copper Tops,
andGnome's Hatstand all originate
from the flowers being decidedly
hat-shaped.Himalayan
Balsam and Kiss-me-on-the-
mountain arise from the plant
originating in the Himalayan
mountains. Ornamental
jewelweed refers to its cultivation
as an ornamental plant.
The genus name Impatiens,
meaning "impatient", refers to its
method of seed dispersal.

14. The species name glandulifera comes from the Latin words glandismeaning 'gland',
and ferre meaning 'to bear', referring to the plant's glands.

16. mallard
Fauna
The mallard or wild duck (Anas
platyrhynchos) is a dabbling
duck which breeds throughout
the temperate and subtropical Amer
icas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa,
and has been introduced to New
Zealand, Australia,Peru, Brazil, Urug
uay, Argentina, Chile, the Falkland
Islands and South Africa
.This duck belongs to
the subfamily Anatinae of the
waterfowl family Anatidae.
The male birds (drakes) have a
glossy green head and are grey on
wings and belly, while the females
have mainly brown-
speckled plumage. Mallards live in
wetlands, eat water plants and

17. small animals, and are gregarious. This species
is the ancestor of most breeds of domestic
ducks. The mallard is a medium-sized waterfowl
species although is often slightly heavier than
most other dabbling ducks. It is 50–65 cm (20–
26 in) long (of which the body makes up around
two-thirds), has a wingspan of 81–98 cm (32–
39 in), and weighs 0.72–1.58 kg (1.6–
3.5 lb). Among standard measurements,
the wing chord is 25.7 to 30.6 cm (10.1 to
12.0 in), the bill is 4.4 to 6.1 cm (1.7 to 2.4 in)
and the tarsus is 4.1 to 4.8 cm (1.6 to 1.9 in).
The breeding male mallard is unmistakable,
with a glossy bottle-green head and white collar
which demarcates the head from the purple-
tinged brown breast, grey brown wings, and a
pale grey belly. The rear of the male is black, with the dark tail having white borders. The
bill of the male is a yellowish orange tipped with black while that of the female is generally
darker ranging from black to mottled orange. The female mallard is predominantly mottled
with each individual feather showing sharp contrast from buff to very dark brown, a
coloration shared by most female dabbling ducks, and has buff cheeks, eyebrow, throat
and neck with a darker crown and eye-stripe. Both male and female mallards have distinct
iridescent purple blue speculum feathers edged with white, prominent in flight or at rest,
though temporarily shed during the annual summer moult.

18. Upon hatching, the plumage colouring of the
duckling is yellow on the underside and face (with
streaks by the eyes) and black on the backside
(with some yellow spots) all the way to the top
and back of the head. Its legs and bill are also
black. As it nears a month in age, the duckling's
plumage will start becoming drab, looking more
like the female (though its plumage is more
streaked) and its legs will lose their dark grey
colouring. Two months after hatching, the
fledgling period has ended and the duckling is
now a juvenile. Between three to four months of
age, the juvenile can finally begin flying as its
wings are fully developed for flight (which can be
confirmed by the sight of purple
speculum feathers). Its bill will soon lose its dark grey colouring and its sex can finally be
distinguished by three factors. The bill colouring is yellow in males, black and orange for
females. The breast feathers are reddish-brown for males, brown for females. The centre
tail feather is curled for males (called a drake feather), straight for females. During the final
period of maturity leading up to adulthood (6–10 months of age), the plumage of female
juveniles remains the same while the plumage of male juveniles slowly changes to its
characteristic colours. This plumage change also applies to adult mallard males when they
transition in and out of their non-breeding eclipse plumage at the beginning and the end
of the summer moulting period. The adulthood age for mallards is 14 months and the

19. average life expectancy is 3 years, but they can live to twenty. In captivity, domestic ducks
come in wild-type plumages, white, and other colours. Most of these colour variants are
also known in domestic mallards not bred as livestock, but kept as pets, aviary birds, etc.
, where they are rare but increasing in availability. A noisy species, the male has a nasal call
, and a high-pitched whistle, while the female has a deeper quack stereotypically associated
with ducks.

20.  Grey heron
The grey heron (Ardea cinerea), is a
wading bird of the heron family
Ardeidae, native throughout
temperate Europe and Asia and
also parts of Africa. It is resident in
the milder south and west, but
many birds retreat in winter from
the ice in colder regions. It has
become common in summer even
inside the Arctic circle along the
Norwegian coast. It is a large bird,
standing up to 100 cm (39 in) tall
and measuring 84–102 cm (33–
40 in) long with a 155–195 cm (61–
77 in) wingspan. The body weight
can range from 1.02–2.08 kg (2.2–
4.6 lb).Its plumage is largely grey
above, and off-white below. Adults
have a white head with a broad
black supercilium and slender
crest, while immatures have a dull
grey head.

21. It has a powerful, pinkish-yellow bill, which is brighter in breeding adults. It has a slow
flight, with its long neck retracted (S-shaped). This is characteristic of herons and bitterns,
and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks. The
call is a loud croaking "fraaank". The Australian white-faced heron is often incorrectly
called a grey heron. In Ireland, the grey heron is often colloquially called a "crane".

22. Dipper
Dippers are members of the
genus Cinclus in the bird family
Cinclidae, named for their bobbing
or dipping movements. They are
unique among passerines for their
ability to dive and swim
underwater. Dippers are small,
chunky, stout, short-tailed, short-
winged, strong-legged birds. The
different species are generally dark
brown (sometimes nearly black), or
brown and white in colour, apart
from the rufous-throated dipper,
which is brown with a reddish-
brown throat patch. Sizes range
from 14–22 cm in length and 40–
90 g in weight, with males larger
than females. Their short wings
give them a distinctive whirring
flight. They have a characteristic
bobbing motion

23. when perched beside the water, giving them their name. Dippers are found in suitable
freshwater habitats in the highlands of the Americas, Europe and Asia. In Africa they are
only found in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. They inhabit the banks of fast-moving
upland rivers with cold, clear waters, though, outside the breeding season, they may visit
lake shores and sea coasts.

24. Coot
Coots are medium-sized water birds
that are members of
the Rallidae (rail) family. They
constitute the genus Fulica. Coots
have predominantly black plumage,
and—unlike many rails—they are
usually easy to see, often swimming
in open water. They are close
relatives of the moorhen. Coots
have prominent frontal shields or
other decoration on the forehead,
with red to dark red eyes and
coloured bills. Many, but not all,
have white on the under tail. The
featherless shield gave rise to the
expression "as bald as a coot,"
which the Oxford English
Dictionary cites in use as early as
1430. Like other rails, they have
long, lobed toes that are well

25. adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. Coots have strong legs and can walk and run vigorously.
They tend to have short, rounded wings and are weak fliers, though northern species
nevertheless can cover long distances. The greatest species variety occurs in South
America, and the genus likely originated there. They are common in Europe and North
America. Coot species that migrate do so at night. The American coot has been observed
rarely in Britain and Ireland. In southern Louisiana, the duck is referred to by the French
name "poule d'eau", which translates into English as "water hen" or "moorhen"

26.  moorhen
Moorhens, sometimes
called marsh hens or river
chickens, are medium-sized water
birds that are members of
the rail family (Rallidae). Most
species are placed in
the genus Gallinula, Latin for "little
hen". They are close relatives
of coots, and because of their
apparently nervous behavior
(frequently twitching tail, neck and
grinding their backs) are
sometimes called "skitty coots".
They are often referred to as
(black) gallinules. Two species from
the Australian region, sometimes
separated in Tribonyx, are called
"nativehens". The nativehens differ
visually by shorter, thicker
and stubbier toes and bills, and
longer tails that lack the white
signal pattern of typical moorhens.

27. These rails are mostly brown and black with some white markings in plumage colour.
Unlike many of the rails they are usually easy to see, feeding in open water margins rather
than hidden in reedbeds. They have short rounded wings and are weak fliers, usually
capable of covering long distances. The common moorhen in particular migrates up to
2,000 km from some of its breeding areas in the colder parts of Siberia. Those that migrate
do so at night. The Gough moorhen on the other hand is considered almost flightless; it
can only flutter some metres. As common in rails, there has been a marked tendency
to evolve flightlessness in island populations. Moorhens can walk very well on their strong
legs, and have long toes that are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. These birds
are omnivorous, consuming plant material, small rodents, amphibians and eggs. They are
aggressively territorial during the breeding season, but are otherwise often found in
sizeable flocks on the shallow vegetated lakes they prefer.

28. I brought information on river
drainage basins by internet and by
book.