Biome Adaptations &Niches

Some heatescapesinto space

Sunlight

Most direct sunlight

Sunlight

Sunlight

Sunlight

90°N North Pole66.5°N

23.5°N

0°

23.5°S

66.5°S90°S South Pole

Arctic circle

Tropic of Cancer

Equator

Tropic of Capricorn

Arctic circle

Sunlight at Different LatitudesAffects Climate

Sunlight

Some heat escapesinto space

Greenhousegases trapsome heat

Atmosphere

Earth’s surface

The Greenhouse Effect

Heating of the Earth’s Surface

Biotic & Abiotic Factors in the Ecosystem

Biotic Factors

ECOSYSTEM

Abiotic Factors

Bio = Life Biotic factors: Living things

A = Not Abiotic factors: Nonliving things

Habitat & Niche Habitat = The area where an

organism lives. Its address.

Niche = The habitat and what the organism does in its habitat. Its job (role).

An organism’s niche includes:

The type of food it eats How it gets the food What eats the organism When and how it reproduces Physical conditions it needs to survive

Bullfrog example p.91

Can two different species share the same niche?

No, because they are competing for the same resources, so one species will outcompete the other.

But, different species can occupy similar niches.Three species of warblers and their niches

Niche Differentiation

Can all kinds of organisms live in every biome?NO!Species are adapted to survive in certain

biomes.

Adaptation: an inherited condition that increases an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce.

Adaptation: Think and Discuss1. Adaptation: Come up with a definition

in your own words. Discuss examples of adaptations with a

partner.

2. What do you think the difference is between a structural adaptation and a behavioral adaptation is?

Discuss with a partner and think of examples.

Types of Adaptations Structural Adaptation: physical

features of an organism that help it survive and reproduce

Behavioral Adaptation: What an organism does (a behavior) to help it survive and reproduce

Ex: eyes, camouflage, fur, claws

Ex: traveling in herds for protection or hunting; producing a large number or small number of offspring

Adaptations:1. 2.

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Adaptations

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Adaptations

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Grassland: Adaptations for Plants and Animals?

Limiting Factors: • Inconsistent Rainfall• Temperature (hot, dry climate)• Frequent Fires

Grassland Plant Adaptations Roots: competing for space, nutrients and water (roots are extremely important) Adapted to Fire: Roots are able to re-sprout after a

fire event. Some plants require fire event to start seed germination.

Seeds spread by wind: Grasses have pollen that is spread by the wind, (flowers are not very showy/colorful because they don’t need to attract pollinators like bees)

Example: Stinging nettle plant: Hollow, stinging hairs that

inject histamine into grazing predators (produces a inflammatory response)

Grassland Animal Adaptations

Open landscape and the widely spaced trees- perfect for large herds of grazing mammals such as the zebra and bison.

Prairie dogs, live in underground burrows that allow them to spend time in a cool environment rather than in the hot and windy conditions above ground.

Most animals are active only during the rainy season.

Rainforest: Adaptations for Plants and Animals?

Limiting Factors:Plants: Available sunlight, prevention of water build-upAnimals: predators, competition with other speciesBoth: human activity (deforestation)

Rainforest Plant Adaptations

Height: Plants must grow tall to reach the sunlight (or grow on other trees=vines)

Leaves: Drip tips enable rain drops to run off quickly. Plants need to shed water to avoid growth of fungus and bacteria.

Fruit: Some plants depend on animals to spread the seeds of their fruit to distant parts of the forest

Adaptation Example: Epiphytes (non-parasitic) are plants that live on the surface of other plants, especially the trunk and branches. They grow on trees to take advantage of the sunlight in the canopy.

RainforestAnimal Adaptations

Camouflage to either hide from predators or hide from prey Example: Stick insects, butterflies with

wings that look like leaves, boa constrictor Some animals became very specialized.

Parrots and toucans eat nuts so they developed big strong beaks to crack open the tough shells.

Temperate Deciduous Forest: Adaptations for Plants and Animals?

Limiting Factors:Growing Seasons (huge difference in temperature in winter and summer)

Many trees are deciduous (they drop their leaves in the autumn, and grow new ones in spring) Why would it be advantageous to do this?

Warm weather: Thin, broad, light-weight leaves that can capture a lot of sunlight to make a lot of food for the tree.

Cool Weather: when the weather gets cooler, the broad leaves cause too much water loss and can be weighed down by too much snow (or freeze), so the tree drops its leaves.

Other Plant Adaptation Examples: Wildflowers grow on forest floor early in the spring

before trees leaf-out and shade the forest floor

Temperate Deciduous Forest: Plant Adaptations

Animals living within this biome must adjust to cold winters and hot summers

Adaptations: Winter and summer coats (shed) Camouflage Winter: Hibernate or migrate

Squirrels store food for the winter. Keeping active all winter.

Desert Biome: Adaptations for Plants and Animals?

Limiting Factors:Little RainfallTemperature variation in 1 day (very hot during the day; very cold at night)

Desert:Plant Adaptations

Two main adaptations: Ability to collect and store water Features that reduce water loss

 Extensive root system The white hairy surface of the Old Man Cactus

helps the plant reflect the hot desert sun (helps prevent evaporation of water)

Desert:Animal Adaptations

Desert animals: adaptations to survive with little water and extreme temperatures

Adaptation Examples: Desert rodents have special adaptations so

their kidneys conserve water. Nocturnal animals (activewhen it’s cooler at night)

Tundra Biome: Adaptations for Plants and Animals?

Limiting Factors:• Very cold temperatures• permafrost layer prevents water from seeping into

soil;• little nutrients

Tundra Adaptations The frigid cold and deep snow makes life in the

tundra very difficult.  Some animals have grown thick fur which turns

white in the winter. Others find a place to hibernate during the winter

months. Tundra plants are small (usually less than

12 inches tall) and low-growing due to lack of nutrients

Roots can’t penetrate permafrost layerPlants are dark in color—some are even

red, this helps them absorb solar heat.

Taiga Biome (Boreal Forest): Adaptations for Plants and Animals?

Limiting Factors:Cool temperature, short growing season

TaigaPlant Adaptations: Primarily evergreen trees

Cone shape of tree Needles lose less water and shed snow easily

Animal Adaptations: Many mammals hibernate, and many of the

birds migrate south. Seasonal change in color of feathers or fur

protects the animal from its predators

Chapparal Biome: Adaptations for Plants and Animals?

Limiting Factors:Long, dry Summers (most of rain falls during the winter) Hot TemperaturesOccasional fires (in summer)

Chapparal/Temperate Woodland

Plant Adaptations: Adapted to droughts in summer: waxy

coatings, thicker cell layers, and recessed stomata

Animal Adaptations: Burrowing animals (escape heat) Nocturnal animals (escape heat of day)

Nocturnal Rattle Snake: