ecology: interaction organisms <-> environment: chapter 1
→adjustment to frequent trampling
grow from the bottom (other plants grow from the top) → mowing → growpoint not damaged
leaf position = vertical → no direct sunlight on leaf →protection overheating + more leaf area per m² → more optimal photosynthesis →grasses grow faster
dense and shallow root systems → to store H2O + nutrients →if parts above ground are damaged →fast regrowth →reserve H2O + nutrients
→adjustment to drought
stem succulent example: a cactus
stem → ability to store water
leaves = needles → smaller leave area →limiting evaporation
thick wax layer → limiting evaporation
deep and well-branched roots →absorb more water from a bigger area
white hairs
reflecting sunlight → preventing overheating
retains air layer → isolation → limiting evaporation
retains dew and raindrops → water goes into the ground → roots can absorb it
leaf succulent example: Aloe Vera
thick wax layer → limiting evaporation
less stomata → limiting evaporation
stomata is deeper in the leaf→ preventing dehydration
→ adjustment to high salinity
without any adjustment → osmosis → H2O goes out of the plant → plant dies
osmosis = the movement of water molecules from a solution with a high concentration of water molecules to a solution with a lower concentration of water molecules, through a cell's partially permeable membrane. Until they the amount is equal on both sides
2 solutions
concentration of salt plant cells >>> concentration of salt soil → plant can absorb H2O
example: samphire = a salt-tolerant succulent
salt glands on leaves → secrete excess salt
example: mangrove
→ adjustment to poor soil
example: Venus fly trap (= VFT)
nitrogen-poor soil → VFT cannot fixate enough nitrogen → no assimilation of protein compounds →shortage nutrients → compensate it with digesting insects
attracts insects by secreting nectar-like substance
reproduction → grow a flower on a high stem above the leaves → no danger for insects → insects can pollinate → forming seeds → flower dies
growth speed
grasses = fast growers →take away light herbaceous plants → development of rosette =
a circular arrangement of leaves or of structures resembling leaves →ground cover → grasses can’t grow
example: plantoga major, daisy
growth period
forest herbs growth is in spring → almost no competition → summer → dense foliage → stops sunlight → after seed forming → the plant dies above ground →made enough nutrients during spring → stored in rhizomes
growth direction crown
to lessen competition → plants grow in other direction → depends on place example: oak
open field
wide
branched
symmetrical
forest
less side branches
grows in height
forest edge
asymmetrical
grows to the edge of the forest
leaf mosaic = the arrangement of foliage in most plants (as in the common ivy) in such a pattern as to expose the maximum number of leaves to the direct rays of the sun with little loss of intervening space.
epiphyte = an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it.
example: orchids
→adjustment to frequent trampling
grow from the bottom (other plants grow from the top) → mowing → growpoint not damaged
leaf position = vertical → no direct sunlight on leaf →protection overheating + more leaf area per m² → more optimal photosynthesis →grasses grow faster
dense and shallow root systems → to store H2O + nutrients →if parts above ground are damaged →fast regrowth →reserve H2O + nutrients
→adjustment to drought
stem succulent example: a cactus
stem → ability to store water
leaves = needles → smaller leave area →limiting evaporation
thick wax layer → limiting evaporation
deep and well-branched roots →absorb more water from a bigger area
white hairs
reflecting sunlight → preventing overheating
retains air layer → isolation → limiting evaporation
retains dew and raindrops → water goes into the ground → roots can absorb it
leaf succulent example: Aloe Vera
thick wax layer → limiting evaporation
less stomata → limiting evaporation
stomata is deeper in the leaf→ preventing dehydration
→ adjustment to high salinity
without any adjustment → osmosis → H2O goes out of the plant → plant dies
osmosis = the movement of water molecules from a solution with a high concentration of water molecules to a solution with a lower concentration of water molecules, through a cell's partially permeable membrane. Until they the amount is equal on both sides
2 solutions
concentration of salt plant cells >>> concentration of salt soil → plant can absorb H2O
example: samphire = a salt-tolerant succulent
salt glands on leaves → secrete excess salt
example: mangrove
→ adjustment to poor soil
example: Venus fly trap (= VFT)
nitrogen-poor soil → VFT cannot fixate enough nitrogen → no assimilation of protein compounds →shortage nutrients → compensate it with digesting insects
attracts insects by secreting nectar-like substance
reproduction → grow a flower on a high stem above the leaves → no danger for insects → insects can pollinate → forming seeds → flower dies
growth speed
grasses = fast growers →take away light herbaceous plants → development of rosette =
a circular arrangement of leaves or of structures resembling leaves →ground cover → grasses can’t grow
example: plantoga major, daisy
growth period
forest herbs growth is in spring → almost no competition → summer → dense foliage → stops sunlight → after seed forming → the plant dies above ground →made enough nutrients during spring → stored in rhizomes
growth direction crown
to lessen competition → plants grow in other direction → depends on place example: oak
open field
wide
branched
symmetrical
forest
less side branches
grows in height
forest edge
asymmetrical
grows to the edge of the forest
leaf mosaic = the arrangement of foliage in most plants (as in the common ivy) in such a pattern as to expose the maximum number of leaves to the direct rays of the sun with little loss of intervening space.
epiphyte = an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it.
example: orchids
