SCI10 Q3 MODULE8-biodiversity

Ecosystems and Habitats

  • Every organism has a unique ecosystem within which it lives, referred to as its natural habitat.

  • The natural habitat fulfills an organism's basic survival needs:

    • Food

    • Water

    • Shelter from changing weather and climate

    • Place to breed its offspring

  • Habitats are constantly changing and evolving, requiring organisms to adapt continuously.

Adaptation

  • Adaptation is crucial for survival:

    • When environmental changes occur:

      • Some animals relocate.

      • Others may die off.

      • Some develop adaptations over generations.

  • Types of adaptations include:

    1. Structural or Physical Adaptations: Using body structures for survival.

      • Camouflage: Helps organisms disguise themselves to blend in with their surroundings.

        • Example: Frog's incredible camouflage.

      • Mimicry: Ability to imitate another species for protection.

        • Example: Praying mantis mimicking a twig.

      • Chemical Defenses: Use substances that harm predators.

        • Example: Skunk spray with foul-smelling chemicals.

      • Body Coverings: Protects animals from external factors.

        • Example: Turtles using shells for protection.

Behavioral Adaptations

  • Refers to how animals respond or act to meet life needs, which can be:

    • Instinctive

    • Learned behaviors

    • Examples include:

      • Hibernation: Animals enter sleep-like state to survive cold weather.

        • Example: Female polar bears build dens beneath the snow.

      • Migration: Traveling to different locations for warmth and food.

        • Example: Birds seeking warm and safe places for breeding.

      • Learned Behaviors: Skills acquired through interaction with the environment, requiring teaching.

        • Examples: Swimming, playing, etc. (Ducklings following mother).

Evolution of Adaptations

  • Adaptations develop through evolution over generations.

  • Increased adaptations lead to high biodiversity, which contributes to:

    • Ecosystem stability

    • Sustainability of communities

    • Healthy communities

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stability

  • High biodiversity leads to healthier ecosystems that can withstand and recover from disasters.

  • Measuring biodiversity involves:

    • Richness: The number of different species in an area.

      • More species = richer sample.

    • Evenness: Comparison of population sizes among species.

      • More even distribution = greater stability.

  • Ecosystems are more stable and have a higher chance of survival when species are evenly distributed.

    • Uneven distribution leads to less diversity and stability.