Biology HL - B4.1 - adaptations to the environment

habitat

place where a community, species, population or organism can survive and reproduce

adaptations of maram grass

• high resistance

• fine, narrow leaves resisting strong winds and sandblasting

• thick outer layer of waxy cuticle resists water loss

• rolled leaves reduce SA for evaporation, conserving water

• hairs inn the inner leaf epidermis reduce evaporation and air flow over the stomata to tolerate dessication

• sunken stomata and rolled leaves decrease the humidity gradient and reduce water loss

• extensive root systel allows for coping with moving sand and low nitrate in top soil

maram grass in embryo dunes

few odd plants

maram grass primary dune

larger tufts

little water

more biomatter

maram grass in mature dunes

less; more competition

range of tolerance and zones of stress

• zones of stress; end of zone of tolerance

range of tolerance

range of environmental conditions in which a species can survive

limiting factors

a factor that can restrict the growth, distribution or abundance of a species

mangroves ideal conditions

• brackish water: not salty nor fresh

• constant flooding

• little light

mangroves/ Rhizophora apiculata adaptation

• stilt roots; gives structural integrity

• halophyte; can survive in salty water

• specialised roots; pneumatocytes; they respire even in waterlogged soil

• seeds start to germinate while still attached to parent plant

what are coral reefs

• slow growing plants which live in symbiosis with algae

• produce a calcified skeleton out of their polyps

coral reef conditions

• warm water (23-28)

• sunlight for zooxanthellae

• salt water; won’t growth at mouth of rivers

• clear water; so no farming/freshwater treatment. no sediment

• moderate wave action; not too strong

• need inundation

• alkaline water

types of adaptation

• genetic changes/ natural selection

• behavioral changes and physiological responses

factors ( in general ) which affect marine ecosystems

• temperature

• water depth

• salinity

Biome definition

large community of fauna and flora in a large geographical location with distinct biotic and abiotic factors and adaptations for them

main predictive factors of what biome one will be

• temperature

• rainfall

why do members in the same biome share features

• convergent evolution;

• they all adapt to the same environment and are therefore bound to have similar adaptations

characteristics of tropical rainforests

• high precipitation ( 1500-2000mm )

• high temperatures

• low sunlight

• low seasonal variation

characteristics of grasslands

• low to moderate temperature ( 10-25 C° )

• low to moderate precipitation (250-1000m)

• high light intensity

• high seasonal variation

characteristics of taiga biome

• low temperatures ( -20 - 10 C° )

• moderate rainfall

• high seasonal variability

temperate biome

• moderate temp ( 20C°)

• moderate to high rainfall ( 500-1500mm )

• moderate light intensity

• moderate seasonal variation

tundra biome

• low temperatures ( -30 - 10 )

• low rainfall

• moderate to high light intensity

• high seasonal variability

desert biome

• high temperature

• low precipitation

• high light intensity

• low seasonal variation

plant adapted to desert

• ocotillo

• deep root system which allows access to water deeper down, and extensive shallow root system to absorb as much water as possible during rainfall

• chlorophill containing bark allows it to perform photosynthesis

• no leaves as water would be lost by evapotranspiration

• thorny stems expand to store water during rainfall and deter herbivores

• small leaves sprout after rainfall to perform photosynthesis

• bright red flowers to attract pollinators

animal adapted to desert

• gila monster

• fat storage in tail

• bumpy scales on skin allows to retain moisture

• slow metabolic rate allows to go long time without water

• venomous saliva; for predators and prey

plant adapted for rainforest

• giant water lilly

• giant waxy leaves with 3M of diamater; wax is hydrophobic, allows to float

• large flower with strong fragrance attracts pollinators

• root system which allows to anchor to soil of lake and absorb nutrients

animals adapted for rainforest

• orchid mantis

• female looks like orchid, which attracts pollinators

• example of mimicry

• male is small and plain, allowing it to camouflage in the trees