Adaptations to life in hot deserts and tropical rainforests

what are some environmental conditions to which organism need to adapt against (desert)

• very high daytime and low night time temp

• little water availaibilty

  limited soil development

• predators and little shelter

how are cacti adapted to life in hot deserts

• wide spread root system = collect water

• deep trap roots that collect water from 1m down in soil

• leaves reduced to spine to reduce SA for transpiration

how are the fennex fox adapted to life in hot deserts

• nocturnal, avoid high temperatures

• underground den where it can stay cool

• long thick hair to provide insulation

• pale-coloured coat to reflect sunlight

what are some environmental conditions to which organism need to adapt against (tropical rainforest)

• high temperature

• high levels of humidity/annual rainfall

• little ground space for habitat

• low light availability, dense forest canopy

how are the spider monkey adapted to life in tropical rainforest

• long limbs for climbing

• flexible shoulders for swinging

• feet act like extra hands

• highly developed larynx for communication in the dense forest

how are the Philodendron adapted to life in tropical rainforest

• grow by attaching to trees rather than rooting = access sunlight

• roots growing above ground = absorb moisture/nutrients

• pointy tips to shed excess water

• phototropic ascending to light in dense forest