Distinguish Between Flora and Fauna

Our whole ecosystem is made up of two broad elements- the biotic element and the abiotic element. The biotic element comprises the living organisms while the abiotic element comprises the non-living organisms. Among the Biotic elements, plants make up the Flora while animals make up the Fauna. This article will help you understand the main concepts, highlights all the key differences and distinguish between Flora and Fauna.

In biotic elements, plants make up the Flora while animals make up the Fauna. This article will help you distinguish between Flora and Fauna.

The interconnection and interaction between these two elements maintain the complexity of the ecosystem as a whole and prove to be beneficial for the survival of the biotic elements.

Distinguish Between Flora and Fauna
Diagrammatic Representation to Distinguish Between Flora and Fauna (Source)

What is Flora?

The term, ‘flora’ is taken from the Latin name of the Goddess of plants in Roman mythology which was named ‘Flora’. Flora is the term given to the whole of plant life, and this includes all the organisms classified under the kingdom Plantae: Algae, Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms.

Flora can be further classified based on the area where they are found: desert regions, mountains, aquatic, or even endemic plants. Another broad category of flora consists of plants that are m, mainly cultivated for economical purposes – The practice of Horticulture. This involves the cultivation of specific plants for their attractive flowers used in decorations and ornamentation which can be used in trade. 

What is Fauna?

The word ‘fauna’ has been taken from various names like ‘Fauna, the Goddess of earth and fertility, the Roman God, ‘Faunus’ of the Roman mythology, and the related forest spirits ‘Fauns’. Fauna is the term given to the whole of animal life, and this includes all the organisms classified under the kingdom Animalia. 

The classification of the animal kingdom is widely available falling under categories that include birds, fish, microorganisms, and cryptofauna i.e. undiscovered animals. Birds come under the umbrella term Avifauna, fishes under Piscifauna while Microscopic organisms like Archaea and bacteria come under Microfauna.

Distinguish Between Flora and Fauna

Now that we have understood what exactly Flora and Fauna are, let’s look at this table which highlights all the key differences and distinguish between the two processes:

FloraFauna
Flora is defined as all the naturally occurring native plants of a particular region.Fauna is all the animal life present in a particular place or at a particular time period.
Chloroplasts are a characteristic feature of all flora.Chloroplasts are not found in fauna.
Flora is classified into native flora, agricultural and horticultural flora, and weed floraFauna is classified into cryofauna, cryptofauna, infauna, epifauna, macrofauna, megafauna, meiofauna, and microfauna.
The study is flora is termed ‘Botany’.The study of fauna is termed ‘Zoology’.
Locomotion is not seen in Flora and they remain sessile.Locomotion is a characteristic feature of all fauna.

FAQs

Is flora a plant?

Flora is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring (indigenous) native plants. Sometimes bacteria and fungi are also referred to as flora, as in the terms gut flora or skin flora.

What is the importance of flora?

Also, humans benefit a lot from flora and fauna in regards to sources of food, medicine, and water. Our main source of food emanates from plant and animal species. Over 90% of medicine we use to cure diseases comes from flora.

How fauna is useful to us?

Humans benefit a lot from fauna in regards to sources of food, transport, agriculture, and other industrial purposes. Our main source of food emanates from plant and animal species.

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