Adaptations & the Physical Environment
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Transcript of Adaptations & the Physical Environment
Adaptations & the Physical Environment
Kangaroo rat
FIELD BIOLOGY & METHODOLOGYFall 2015 Althoff
Lecture
03
Tolerance Limits
• Limiting factors vs. zone of tolerance (~ concentration gradient???)
• Zones (handout): a) optimum range b) zone of physiological stress c) zone of intolerance
Gradient HIGHLOW
Popn a
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Pulsa
tions
/min
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Temperature 0C
Halifax individuals
Tortugasindividuals
_____ species of Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) but from different populations (genetic variation increasing adaptability to local environment!!!).
Tolerance Limits…con’t
• Simplistic view: one factor “acting” at-a-time
• Reality: _________________ of factors
• ________ factor: “one factor…more than any other…determines distribution & abundance”
Adaptations
Modifications which better suit the organism to its particular environment
Gray wolf: colder climate
African hunting dog: warmer climate
vs.
Notice: _______________________
Adaptations…con’t
• May allow control “flux” of heat or various substances across their surfaces
• By regulating __________ with physical environment, internal environment can be controlled better. “Can move or adjust”
Specific examples• Salt and water balance
• Nitrogen excretion
• Temperature & water conservation
• Plant-water relationships
• C3, C4, & CAM Photosynthesis
Fish: ______________________ actively exclude or retain solutes to maintain salt balance
Highly developed __________ in kidneys…. allows for maximum retention of H20 during urine formation
Urine almost comes out paste-like. Animal almost exclusively gets all of its water from seeds (i.e., metabolizes H20)
Kangaroo rat: found in dry, arid or semi-arid environments
C3 (cool season plants)
• Plants well-adapted to “average” temperature and “average” moisture conditions… think ________________
• Relates to C-assimiliation
• Examples: Kentucky bluegrass, maples, dandelion
C4 (warm season plants)
• Plants well-adapted to hot temperature and “average” moisture conditions…. think _______________
• Relates to C-assimilation
• Examples: big bluestem, switchgrass, tomatoes, corn, sunflower
CAM
• Plants well-adapted to hot temperature and “dry” moisture conditions (i.e., arid conditions)
• Carbon assimiliation daytime, Calvin cycle nighttime
• Examples: cacti & prickly pear
Back to “environmental conditions”
Most organisms have “optimum range.” Within that concept, there are eurytypic and stenotypic organisms
Range of Tolerances
• _________________ -- species with wide tolerance ranges
ex:white-tailed deer & “any” habitatcombination
• _________________ -- species with narrow tolerance rangesex: Kirtland’s warbler & jack pine
Seasonal Cycles – Temperate Lakes
• Understand the temperature profile of a typical lake related to seasonal changes (Fig. 4.13, p82)
• ____________—zone of rapid change. Marks boundary between epilimnion (warm) and hypolimnion (cold) waters
Topographic and Geologic Influences
The “lay” of the land influences the local environment. Soil and exposure have profound influences on ___________ and therefore __________ distribution
Lay of the land….
Tbasic soil types Ricklefs Table 4.2, p90
Local Variations
• RIPARIAN—forested zones along rivers, creeks, and streams
• XERIC—dry sites
• MESIC—”in between” sites
• HYDRIC—wet sites
Life Zones
• Distinct “_______” of vegetation. Belts are a result of local climate which influences vegetation…
…which influences animal diversity and distribution
Fig 4.20 p89
Life Zones
Lower Sonoran zone: saguaro cactus, mesquite, herbs
Upper Sonoran zone: agave and grasses
Transition zone: ponderosa pine
Alpine zone: higher up, bushes, herbs, lichens
Landscape Ecology
• Study of the __________ nature of the environment influences the functioning of the ecosystem
• Emphasis on movement between habitats by organisms
• Human influence on landscape is tremendous
In summary…• Mechanisms by which organisms interact with their
physical environment help us understand why organisms are specialized to ______________ _________________
• Plant species ___________(C) in one of three ways: C…C3 pathway, C4 pathway, or CAM pathway. Each way is specialized to provide a competitive advantage under certain sets of climatic conditions
• ____________ represent result from climatic influences on plants, which in turn have influences on the distribution of animals