Transcript Y8 How do plants and animals adapt to their biomes?

Y8
How do plants and animals adapt to
their biomes?
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The climate zones we looked at
Temperate
Maritime
Polar
Desert
Tropical
Equatorial
Mediterranean
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What do we call the places where plants grow
and animals live?
• An ecosystem is a community of living
organisms (plants and animals) sharing an
environment, that is weather and landscape,
location etc
• The largest ecosystems are called biomes.
• There are about a dozen of these altogether,
but just in the same way as we only picked
out a selection of climate zones, we will only
pick out a few biomes
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These are the 6 biomes we have looked at
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The tundra first
What can you remember about its
climate?
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Tundra - Intro
• Tundra is the very cold to mild at
best ( and no that often) and
moderate to dry, but with little
evaporation this is no so serious
as in a hot desert.
• The Arctic tundra is also a windy
place and winds can blow
between 48 to 97 kilometers per
hour.
• Where is Tundra found? • The ground is subject to
permafrost (land that is
Tundra is found in the
permanently frozen), but the
extreme North of
surface layer melts in the
Canada and Asia.
summer, giving rise to marshes
• The tundra covers about
• Soil conditions are poor, being
one fifth of the land
marshy and waterlogged. Little
surface found on Earth.
plant life can survive.
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Animals and plant that live in
the Tundra by Isabel
Animals
 Polar bear
 Caribou
 Artic fox
 Artic hare
 Snowy owl
 Musk ox
 Brown bear
Plants
 Moss
 Lichens
 Low growing
shrubs
 Grass
So what plants can grow in the Tundra?
How?
• Tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturia,
meaning treeless plain and this gives you hint about
the plants. Because of the poor conditions only
grasses, mosses, lichens and dwarf shrubs exist in
this area, but there are about 400
flowering plants.
• Abdullah: These plants are small and they stay near
the ground to avoid the strong wind and cold
temperature. Some plants have cunningly useful
hairy stems keep them warm. Plants in the tundra
do not come alive until summer when the conditions
are just right for growth. Some areas have more
shade and so have more plants. In some cold
deserts 80% of it can be covered in sage bush. 8
So what animals can live in
the Tundra? Why?
• Many insects live in the marshy parts in the
summer. This attracts migrating birds.
• There are also smaller herds of musk-oxen. Wolves, wolverines, arctic
foxes, and polar bears are the predators of the tundra.
• Smaller mammals are snowshoe rabbits and lemmings.
• Abdullah: Strangely, a large amount of animals live in the tundra, such as
polar bears and caribou. Caribou are animals often called reindeer come
in large herds, that feed on lichens and moss. They have thick fur coats
to protect themselves from the cold. Cold Deserts also have animals like
Antelope, Ground Squirrels, Jack Rabbits, and Kangaroo Rats.
• Me: Many turn white in winter – camouflage for either escaping your
enemy or creeping up on dinner! Some have large feet to allow to go
over snow/bog in summer without falling in.
• Isabel: Many artic animal are using it for there summer home such as
birds and mammals.
• The Musk Ox has developed away of keeping warm is growing its own
Thick coat.
• Some animal like the polar bear have a thick layer of blubber (fat)
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What is the impact of humans on Tundra?
• On January 3, 1959, Alaska gained statehood along with its natural
resources. Rich oil deposits was one of the many natural resources found
in this vast area causing a new breed of fortune hunters to come to
Alaska.
• On March 24th, 1989, millions of gallons of oil spilled into the ocean
when Exxon Valdez (an oil tanker) crashed into a reef.
• This spill affected all of the wildlife greatly, tens of thousands of seabirds,
salmon, herring, and halibut were killed from a disaster that wouldn't have
happened except for the intervention of man.
• An estimate was made that 100,000 birds died in the oil spill, something
that could have been avoided. Even though the bulk of the oil was finally
cleaned up, some of it still lingers there.
• Global warming is melting the sea ice and isolating the polar bears and
threatening other animals too.
• Abdullah: Global warming has increased due to industrial activity in
tundra areas. Grime and dust turn the ice black, reflecting less heat
therefore adding further to global warming.
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Deciduous Forest
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The Deciduous forest Introduction
• Where are they
found?
• Deciduous forests
can be found in the
eastern half of North
America, and the
middle of Europe.
• There are many
deciduous forests in
Asia.
• What is it like there?
• The average annual temperature
in a deciduous forest is 10° C.
• But there are 4 distinct seasons –
warm summers, mild winters and
spring and autumn each quite ling
and somewhere between summer
and winter
• The precipitation is moderate to
wet ( 500mm – 1500mm)
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The deciduous forest
• But the most distinctive thing about the deciduous
forests is that they have four distinct seasons,
spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
• In the autumn the leaves change colour.
• During the winter months the trees lose their
leaves.
• The animals adapt to the climate by hibernating in
the winter and living off the land in the other three
seasons. The animals have adapted to the land
by trying the plants in the forest to see if they are
good to eat for a good supply of food. Also the
trees provide shelter for them. Animal use the
trees for food and a water sources. Most of the
animals are camouflaged to look like the ground.
• The plants have adapted to the forests by leaning
toward the sun. Soaking up the nutrients in the
ground is also a way of adaptation.
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Deciduous Forest:
Plants by Luke
There is a lot of different and
unique type of plants that live
in the deciduous Forests.
Firstly, there’s a plant called
the “American Beech”. The
American Beech tree grows in
the southern and eastern parts
of the United States. It grows
best in deep, rich, moist and
well-drained soils. The
American beech is a huge type
of tree, mature trees size from
30-40m , and spreads 17-25m.
However other plants cannot live
beneath this tree. The reasons
are because the leaves that
grow on the tree block the
sunlight and keep the ground
constantly in shade.
And because much of the root
system grows all over the
ground's surface, and uses any
moisture that may reach the
ground.
American Beech trees produce
lots of nuts. The nuts from this
tree are loved by numerous
animals. Animals such as: deer’s,
rabbits, squirrels, porcupines
and several more.
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More Plants by Luke
Next is the Guelder Rose. The Guelder Rose is
part of the shrub layer and grows to about
3m
The Guelder Rose is beautiful in August when
the berries are ripe, and the leaves turn
into maple-like leaves and change bright
red or rich purple before falling. These
berries are bright red and attract birds
that spread the seeds. The very large
white outer layer of flowers also attracts
pollinating insects to the inner part of the
flower.
Its bark is used as an herbal medicine for
cramps and asthma. Just as well this plant’s
berries can be used for ink. It can also be
used as a decorative shrub. In Canada it is
used instead of cranberries. It is an
important food source for insects and
birds that eat the nectar and the berries.
Other plants that live in the deciduous forest
can be; Lady Fern, White Oak Tree and
White Birch Tree.
Notice the animals that
depend on these plant
for food in Autumn
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• Mosses are simple, rootless evergreen
plants. They can live in a wide variety of
habitats, but are most often found covering
the ground, growing on stream beds, and on
the base of trees in deciduous woodlands. .
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So what animals can live in the
Deciduous Forest? Why?
• We have already seen how deer, rabbits, squirrels,
porcupines, insects and birds all depend on the
plants in the deciduous forest.
• But the winters can be quite harsh – the big ones
are OK.
• Some of the small ones, like squirrels, store nuts
from the Autumn to see them through.
• But some mice hibernate to survive.
• Talking of squirrels – how are they adapted to living
in a deciduous forest?
• Like the mammals in the Tundra, some animals
grow extra protection to survive the cooler weather.
What is that?
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What is the impact of humans on Deciduous
Forests?
• Most of the coniferous forests in the Northern hemisphere have
been cut down to make way for farms and villages and towns.
• In the UK for example, most of the land apart from the mountain
tops in Scotland and Wales would have once been tree covered.
• But in the last 30 years, people and governments have realized
how important forests are, and all over Europe there are projects
being set up to put the trees back. They are trying hard to make
sure they planting back only those trees and shrubs that were
there in the first place.
• Before that, governments thought that our greatest need fore
wood was for paper and so they covered many mountain-sides
with many hectares of quick-growing fir trees. These acidify the
soil and discourage other plants by blocking out the light. And the
animals are not that keen on them either!
• Now the governments know better!
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Chaparral
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• The chaparral biome is found
in a little bit of most of the
continents - the west coast of
the United States, the west
coast of South America, the
Cape Town area of South
Africa, the western tip of
Australia and the coastal areas
of the Mediterranean.
• Lay of the land: The chaparral
biome has many different types
of terrain. Some examples are
flat plains, rocky hills and
mountain slopes. It is
sometimes used in movies for
the "Wild West".
• The climate is warm to hot and
is dry to moderate with most of
the rain in Winter
The Chaparral
Introduction
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Plants in the Chaparral
• Kane: Shrubs and drought tolerant
plants live in chaparral woods. These
plants are not so dependant on
water and can survive for long
periods of time without any. Similar
to cacti these plants store water in
the soil and only use it when
necessary but have problems due to
the sheer amount of shrubs sharing
the space to actually retrieve water.
• Yulia: Most of the plants have small,
hard leaves which hold moisture.
Some of these plants are poison
oak, scrub oak, Yucca Wiple and
other shrubs, trees and cacti. .
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Animals in the Chaparral
• Yulia: The animals are all mainly grassland and
desert types adapted to hot, dry weather. A few
examples are: coyotes, jack rabbits, mule deer,
alligator, lizards, horned toads, praying mantis,
honey bee and ladybugs.
How do you think these animals are adapted
to the Mediterranean climate and conditions?
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Threats to the Chaparral
• Kane: the real main issue is human development which
drives out creatures from the natural habitat forcing them to
adapt or die, and although it seems harsh its true. Also there
is very unique way of germinating with the shrub life there
and is completely dependant on heat and sometimes even
fire.
• But due to fires being put out by the fire service plant life
there is dying out due to lack of germination and intense heat
doesn’t go well with humans so cooling in houses kills all
nearby plants around houses.
• But also due to carelessness or even deliberately some fires
get out of hand and so destroy whole areas, leading to soil
erosion as there are no plant roots left to hold the soil in
place in the winter rains.
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Desert
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Plants in the deserts
• Abdullah: “Vegetation is rare in hot deserts but there are some plants
such as prickly pears and brittle bush. All of these are suited to live in a
hot area.”
• By Yulia: Different plants have different ways to adapt to the desert. They
have their own way to reserve and collect water.
• Some plants have developed tap roots. Tap roots are a type of root
grown by mostly desert plants or plants that adapt to dry Biomes. Tab
roots can stretch as far as 30m under the surface of the sand and ground
to get water to survive.
• Other plants have shallow roots to catch water as soon as it lands.
Desert sand is well drained and water doesn’t sit around on top. This
means water can soak into the ground very fast.
• There are many others ways plants adapt, for example some plants in
the desert have small knife like leaves that have a very small surface
area. The small surface area means that less water is evaporated. Some
of these types of plants also have a waxy feature that stops a lot of the
plants stored water to evaporate.
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Plants in the deserts by Eli
The white hairy
surface of the Old
Man Cactus helps
the plant reflect
the hot desert
sun.
Prickly pear Many desert
plants store
water in their
spongy tissue.
Animals will eat
them for the
moisture. The
thorns keep
them safe from
many animal
predators.
Saguaro - The stem stores
all of its water. The stem is
green. Photosynthesis
occurs in the top layer of the
stem instead of in leaves. It
also has large net of roots.
Why?
Aloe - The
waxy surface of
the aloe plant
acts like a plastic
wrapper,
keeping precious
water inside.
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Animals in deserts
• Abdullah: “Hot and Dry Deserts animals
include small nocturnal (only active at night)
carnivores. There are also insects,
arachnids, reptiles, and birds. Some
examples of these animals are coyote,
Mourning Wheatears, and Horned Vipers. .”
Luke:
A horned viper
The Bob cat - They
like it there the most
because of the bushy, and
rocky terrain. The bushes
give shade if it's hot, and
the rocks are a perfect
hiding spot if they're
hunting prey. The bobcat's
diet consist of rabbits,
squirrels, mice and more.
Look at that colour scheme
– how does that help it
adapt to deserts?
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Animals the deserts
Eli: Desert
tortoises - they
live in burrows
to escape the
cold and the
heat
Eli: Camel - It is the largest
animal of the desert. It can
store large amounts of
water to help it to survive in
the dry desert. They have a
transparent eyelid which
enable them to keep sand
out of their eyes.
– chipmunk: feeding on fruits and
seeds and the occasional insect and mouse.
Diurnal and active year-round (does not
hibernate). Because it is adapted to tolerate
hyperthermia, it often is the only small
mammal seen during the hottest parts of the
day in summer. They will scurry around
collecting seeds and storing them in their
cheek pouches until their body temperature
climbs to near lethal, then they will duck into
the shade, often spreading eagle in the cool
soil, to cool their temperature back down
enough to go back out in the sun again.
Lauren
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Savannah
Thanks Zaineb
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Animals and plants that live in
the
Savannah
Animals
Plants
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Zebras
Elephants
Warthogs
rhinos
gazelles,
hyenas,
cheetahs,
lions,
leopards,
ostrich,
Mousebirds
Starlings
weavers.
Wildebeests
 Acadia
trees
 Baobab tree
 Grass
 Shrubs
Plants in Savannah
• By Kane: Mainly grass and spaced out trees
grow on a savannah. The reason why the
trees are spaced out is that so when it rains
on the savannah the desperately needed
water can reach the grass, instead of the
trees just crowding them out. The plants have
uniquely adapted to survive due to there
being only rainfall at a certain time of year so
they almost “ration” the water with the other
plants. The Savannahs cover 20% of the
Earth’s land mass.
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Animal adaptations:
• By Isabel: During the rainy season, birds, insects, and large and small
mammals thrive in the savannah, but the rainy season only lasts 6 to
8 months.
• Consequently, most birds and many of the large mammals migrate
during the dry season in search of water.
• The migration may be just to another area within the savannah.
• When drought conditions exist for a long time and over a wide area,
the animals may migrate to another biome until the rainy season
begins again.
• During the dry seasons all the animals are at war for water.
• By Kane: Lions live there due to wandering prey such as gazelles ,
zebras, antelopes, buffalos and giraffes. This provides a good food
source and little competition from other predators such as the
cheetah. Furthermore there is an obvious shortage of water in Africa
and the plains of the savannah with their ponds and waterholes are
perfect for water-based animals.
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More animals in the Savannah
• Zaineb: African elephants live on the savannas of
Africa. They are herbivores, and feed on grasses,
fruits, tree leaves, bark, shrubs, and vines.
• The African elephant's size makes them hard for
predators to eat, such as leopards, lions, or jaguars. At
night, the adults form a circle around the calves to
protect them from danger.
• The adults have thick skin, making it hard to bite. This
protects them from the predators
• These animals have a special job in savannas. They
keep the savannas clear by eating shrubs and trees
which helps the grass grow. This allows the many
grazers on the savannah to survive.
• Most of the animals on the savannah have long legs or wings to be able
to go on long migrations.
• Many burrow under ground to avoid the heat or raise their young.
• The savannah is a perfect place for birds of prey like hawks and
buzzards. The wide, open plain provides them with a clear view of their
prey, hot air updrafts keep them soaring, and there is the occasional tree
to rest on or nest in.
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Threats to the Savannah
• Kane: Obviously global warming has a
massive impact on the African savannah and
especially the seasons. Animals living there
are dependant on seasonal rain and with
warming it changes the cycle and proneness
to rain and heat therefore creating a major
threat for life living there. Also tree clearing
has an effect as habitats are swept away,
animals have to adapt to new conditions or
just die out due to a lack of habitation.
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Rainforest
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What is the structure of vegetation in
the rainforest?
•
•
•
•
•
Emergents are the tallest trees and are
usually over 50 metres tall. The Kapok
tree is an example of an emergent.
The sea of leaves blocking out the sun
from the lower layers is called the
canopy. The canopy contains over 50%
of the rainforest wildlife. This includes
birds, snakes and monkeys. Lianas
(vines) climb to the canopy to reach this
sun light.
The under canopy mainly contains bare
tree trunks and lianas.
The shrub layer has the densest plant
growth. It contains shrubs and ferns and
other plants needing less light.
The forest floor is usually dark and damp.
It contains a layer of rotting leaves and
dead animals called litter. This
decomposes rapidly (within 6 weeks) to
form a thin humus, rich in nutrients.
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Plants adapt to the rainforest
• Max: Bromeliads live in the equatorial
rainforest and are related to the pineapple
family, they live on the forest floor, their thick
waxy leaves form a bowl that catches water
and forms a shelter for some species of
animals such as snails, frogs, beetles and
salamanders.
• Max: Lianas are green-stemmed
plants that grow on tree trunks where
there are gaps in the canopy. They
are a type of climbing vine with thick,
woody stems. While they begin life
on the forest floor, they grow upward
toward the sunlight using trees for
support by attaching themselves to
the trunks with sucker roots or
tendrils. Types of Lianas include
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Philodendron and rattan palms
Animals adapt to the rainforest
• Max: Jaguars: Their intricately coats are
shades of gold and buff with spots of darker
golden color within a black outline. How are
they adapted to their biome?
• Max: Sloths live in the trees in the Amazon rain forest,
descending to the ground only once every five to seven
days to urinate, defecate and occasionally change trees for
a different food source. They do everything while hanging
upside down in the trees---eating, sleeping, mating and
even giving birth there. The liver, stomach, spleen and
pancreas of these animals have been repositioned over the
centuries to better function in an upside-down position.
They are extremely slow animals. Algae grows on their fur
and is utilized by the sloth for nutrition and camouflage. The
nutrients from the algae are absorbed through their skin
and the blue-green tint helps them blend in with the rain
forest canopy. The majority of the sloth's diet consists of
tree foliage but they occasionally enhance it with bird eggs
and hatchlings, lizards, insects and carrion.
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The rainforest under threat
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Logging
Cattle ranching
Soya bean farming
Mining and oil exploration
Roads
Building towns
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