Adaptation-How Animals and Plants respond to Environmental Change

 Response and Adaptation in Changing Environment

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Environment is the sum total of all external conditions and circumstances that affect the health, well-being and productive and reproductive performance of living organisms.

We all know about global warming and its causes. We also know now that plants have the ability to adapt to their environments. Plants are capable of changing and adapting, but it usually takes very long periods of time. The climate of the earth has changed many times in the time of the dinosaurs the planet was mostly tropical, then there were several ice ages when the planet became colder. Through all of this, many plants and animals were able to change and adapt, though many became extinct through natural processes. The climate change that we are causing now may be far too rapid for many plants and animals to adapt. Plants that are adapted to cooler temperatures may start to migrate away from the equator (through seed dispersal) to areas where the temperature is more suitable. However, not all plants will be able to migrate, especially where there are geographic barriers (mountains, water etc.) Hopefully, some species will have enough genetic diversity that some indi viduals will survive the change. However, given how much genetic diversity have destroyed we through forest burning and urban development, many plants may not have enough genetic diversity to survive. Thus, global climate change will lead to the extinction of some species. Most plant species are adapted to cope with their predators. Most plants have some type of predator, whether it is something that eats their leaves, their seeds, their roots or other tissues. Most plants have evolved along with the predators who eat them. What happens when a particular predator disappears? Or what happens if you take a plant and move it to a place where its predator does not exist? You might think this would be a good thing for the plant. However, the surprising reality is that most plants need their predators in order to keep their population under control. This is a difficult concept for some people to grasp. because we are used to thinking that predators are harmful in nature and that innocent prey would be better off without having to worry about predators.

However, nothing evolves in vacuum. Each organism evolves in response to the things in its environment, both the negative and the positive. Thus, when you take something out of an organism's environment, the results are unpredictable and can be very bad for the organism and the ecosystem. When plants do not have predators, they can turn into what we call "weeds" or "pest plants" and can take over an area and push out other important species of plants.

      Causes of Environmental Changes

1. Temperature

2. Rainfall

3. Wind

4. Migrations

5. Erosion

Let's see how animals and plants respond to environmental change.

                                 Adaptation-What does it mean?

Adaptations are the special characteristics that enable plants and animals to be successful in a particular environment.

Adaptation are how an animal changes to be able to survive and be safe in its environment. Adaptation can be how the animal looks or how it behaves. All animals and plants have special body parts or behave in a special way that allow them to survive in their local environment. We can study these adaptations to understand how

plants and animals live together so that we can help them to survive. especially when nature or the activities of human beings have changed their environment. 

You must been wondering how animals and plants adapted so well in the environment, well directly or indirectly you must have seen a living being adapting or changing. One answer might be that they have gradually changed, or evolved, over a very long time to suit the places they live in and the food that is available to them.

In the 19th century, a scientist named Charles Darwin (1809-1882) put forward a theory, which he called natural selection', to explain how these changes might happen.

According to Darwin, individual animals and plants sometimes have qualities that help them to survive. For example, in a green forest, a green bug would probably survive longer than a brown bug. because its appearance would help it to avoid being seen and eaten.

The individuals that survive the longest are likely to have more babies. and will pass on their useful qualities to them. Over a very long time, each species will very gradually develop all the most useful qualities for surviving in its own habitat.

Adaptation in Plants Where Light is Less

The stems and leaves and shrubs show us some of the adaptations that enable a plant to get the maximum amount of light and air.

There are numerous plants that live in environments where light never penetrates. Many of these plants are fungi. They have no chlorophyll, but survive on organic matter, produced by animals or other plants. that may be found wherever the fungi flourish. Rains washing into the underground nooks and crannies may be one of the agents responsible for getting organic matter into these places.

In caves and underground mines or in pits and wells, where there is certain amount of light penetration even if very little - we find that the plants are principally, green. In such cases, the chlorophyll granules are developed in a very special way. The light falling on the plant cells is concentrated on the chlorophyll granules themselves, which thus receive a sufficient supply for food making.

Plants also receive a minimum of light in the depths of the sea or at the bottom of lakes and pools, since sunlight is weak or absent there. The light under water diminishes in proportion to the depth.

In tropical forests, the tree growth is often so profuse that sunlight may never reach the ground. In these hot and humid climates, there are a great many epiphytes-plants such as spanish moss and orchids that grow on other plants. The epiphytes grow on upper imbs of trees and on poles, Their Foots are suspended in air and they absorb moisture and gases from he humid atmosphere. The cells of epiphytes are not directly parasitic, or they contain chlorophyll and hey manufacture their own food. However, they may injure trees by heir sheer weight.

The liana is a vine with a woody stem, which enriches the trunk of a tree as it climbs to the highest branches. In this way, though the liana is rooted in the soil, it can reach the sunlight. 

In Strong Light

If we turn our attention to the lora found on the rocky sloped just above the level of the sea, we might expect to find considering we are In the presence of direct sunshine that the plant life would show certain adaptations to the intense light. These special features control the rate of photosynthesis, which is directly affected by the intensity of the sunlight falling on the leaf. The foliage of plants living in strong sunlight is often covered with either a waxy coat or thy hair.

Plants that are better adapted to shady areas are known as photophobes. They have certain atures that tend to enhance the absorption of sunlight by the plant. Frequently, these plants have thin. broad leaves with stomata, or small openings, on both surfaces. The leaf surfaces are dull, and they lack any waxy covering or hairs. Such plants as mosses, liverworts, Tad * v degrees slippers, wood sorrel, hydro phyllums, figworts, and geraniums thrive in the shade of the forest. 

Duration of Light

The duration of light plays a vital role in the distribution and reproduction of plants. The summer days are long in the temperate climates of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Here. the so-called long-day plants flourish, for they will flower only after many days with long hours of sunshine.

Winds

At high mountain elevations and at exposed positions along sea cliffs, trees will show marked distortions because of the strong prevalent winds. Often the trees are bent and twisted. The foliage may grow only on the leeward side of the tree. In general, only pine trees. scrub oaks, and some shrubs are able to withstand such conditions.

Winds may influence the distribution of plants, for they affect the nature of the soil. Fast winds cause shifting of the stem, thereby, preventing the growth of many plants with shallow root systems. Only perennials with deeply branched roots and special features can grow successfully in this type of light, wind shifted soil.

In Water

Plants such as water lilies and sedges that live in an aquatic regions are known as hydrophytes. This name comes from the two Greek words meaning 'water plants,

The soil at the bottom of a stream or pond is, in general. muddy and poorly ventilated. Hydrophytes frequently show many adaptations that aid in the passage and storage of air within the plant tissues. The stems of the water lily are usually hollow and connect directly with the stomatal openings of the leaf.

Certain other aquatic plants float freely, both at the surface and under the water. Duckweed floats on the surface. Roots arise from its broad, floating leaf structure. Hornwort, on the other hand, is a rootless, completely submerged plant that floats freely underwater. In this way it can move easily to - areas where light, temperature, and - air conditions are more favourable.

Still another interesting adaptation of aquatic plants is their carnivorous habits. Insects abound in humid regions. Plants such as Sundew and Venus's Flytrap catch these insects in their leaves. The

leaves of the bladderwort, a completely submerged aquatic plant are modified to form tiny trapdoors. As aquatic insects brush past the bladder-shaped leaves, the trapdoors open. The insects cannot escape and are eventually digested.

Generally, trees found in aquatic areas have shallow root systems. Swamp trees such as the banyan and mangrove often appear to be propped up. This is because roots grow from the lower branches down into the soil.

In Dry Conditions

Let us consider plants that have to sustain life under conditions of extreme dryness and which consequently are called xerophytes - a name derived from two Greek words meaning 'dry plants.

Xerophytes grow in extremely dry soils in regions that are rainless during long periods. No doubt the first plants in the world were aquatic: we must, therefore, consider the xerophytes as highly evolved types, showing remarkable adaptations to their environment.

One group of xerophytes. the ephemerals, live and reproduce only during the short wet season (a few weeks) and then die, leaving drought-resisting seeds that will sprout in the next rainy spell. Another group survives on little water, growing scantily or as dwarfed forms. Still a third group, such as many lichens, algae, mosses, and desert bushes, can literally withstand being dried out.

in its

They seem dead until moisture returns, when they revive and reproduce. The last and most impressive, group is that of the water-conserving xerophytes, such as cacti, aloes, stoneerops and Australian bottle trees. These store water in swollen tissues. Because of this juicy condition, such plants are referred to as succulents.

The succulents, in order to save their water supply, must transpire slowly. The epidermis or outer skin is very thick. Even if it dries up, it has the power of revival when moisture comes. It is not only in the leaves, however, that drought withstanding plants show special adaptations. The other body parts show them as well.

Well ! We get to know a lot about plants and their response, let's see how they have adapted themselve in the surroundings and how they are beneficial to the nature. 

Date Palm

 The date palm tree has many different uses. the nourishing date fruits are food for people and animals, the stringy bark and wood are made into matting and ropes, and the leaves are fashioned into roofs and sunshades.

Cactus

 The cactus stores water in its swollen stem. Sharp prickles protect it from plant eating animals. The cactus shown here is called the prickly pear cactus. The fruit is edible.

Yucca Moth and Yucca Plant 

The yucca is a desert lily. It has pale scented flowers which attract

the tiny female yucca moth. The moth climbs into the flower and gathers pollen, then flies to another yucca. Here the yucca moth lays its eggs in the flower's ovary (egg-bearing part), as well as transferring pollen. As the yucca's fruit ripens, the moth caterpillar feeds on it. The yucca moth and the yucca flower could not exist without each other.

Adaptation in Animals 

 In the Deserts

Desert animals also have many laptations as well to help them urvive in the desert climate. Many re nocturnal, meaning active uring the cool night rather than he hot daylight hours. The angaroo rat conserves water by excreting a solid urine rather than liquid.

Some deserts are scorching hot; others are freezing cold. Desert mammals have thick fur to keep out heat as well as cold. Many find shelter from the sun and icy winds by digging burrows. In hot deserts, animals stay in their burrows by day and hunt at night when the temperature is lower.

Many lizards prowl across the dry sand, flicking their tongues in and out to taste the air. This monitor lizard eats eggs belonging to birds and other reptiles.

Many small mammals live in the desert, including various kinds of mice, gerbils and jerboas. With its long back legs, the northern jerboa can leap away from danger, keeping its large toes spread out to prevent it from sinking in the soft sand. 

Jerboas feed on seeds and other plant matter.

Sand is not easy to cross because it shifts under an animal's weight. Some animals, such as camels, have cushion-like feet that can cope with walking on soft sand. Sidewinding snakes have developed other ways to move. Instead of slithering across the sand, they throw their bodies through the air in a series of sideways leaps.

In the tropical forests

Each rainforest has its own species of eagles with short wings that enable them to twist and turn through the canopy. Harpy eagles are found in the Amazon, Philippine eagles in Southeast Asia, and crowned eagles in Africa. Snakes such as boa constrictors also ambush prey in the trees, while wild cats, such as the margay and clouded leopard, climb the trees to hunt. The largest predators, including jaguars and tigers, hunt on the forest floor.

A butterfly that looks like a flower, a bird that resembles a log a fish that seems as lifeless as a stone - many animals and plants survive by blending in with their surroundings. This is called camouflage. Camouflage includes colour, shape, and patterning. For example, it is difficult to spy a newborn deer among the trees because of its pale brown colour and speckled coat. A dead-leaf mantis is also difficult to see because of its leaf shape, and a chameleon can change its colour to match the colour of its surroundings. Camouflage helps animals hide from predators. It also helps predators such as tigers and leopards ambush their prey without being seen. Some animals such as rabbits camouflage themselves by staying absolutely still, when in danger, so their movements do not give them away.

The chameleon is famous for changing its colour and pattern to match its surroundings. Its colour alters when cells in the skin change size, moving their grains of colour nearer the surface or deeper into the skin. When the Jackson's chameleon is taken off its branch, its colour changes from green and yellow to mottled brown in about five minutes.

The tiger is camouflaged by its stripes, which match the light and dark patterns of sunlit grasses. The tiger hunts mainly by ambush, creeping stealthily towards its prey in the undergrowth, then charging over the last few metres.

Adaptation for Preys and Predators

All animals have to eat in order to survive. Herbivores eat plants and carnivores eat animals. There are some animals such as glant pandas, that eat both plants and animals. These are called omnivores. Most humans are also omnivores.

Many animals have to watch out for predators, which are other animals that want to eat them. Their bodies have to be adapted to running fast or hiding. Some animals, such as zebras, are camouflaged, which means they are patterned so that they blend in with their background and are harder for predators to see. But some predators are also camouflaged, so they can creep up on their prey.

The spindly stick insect is very difficult to recognize among twigs and branches because of its shape and colour. It can fold its thin legs alongside its body and look even more like a twig. When danger threatens, it stays absolutely still like a stick. Adaptation in Extreme Conditions

In many parts of the world, where there is warmth and plenty of water, a wide variety of plants and animals are able to survive. But in deserts, mountainous areas and freezing tundra, the conditions are much more extreme. Here, only the hardiest species can survive. These survival specialists cope with extremes in different ways. Some animals have dense fur to keep themselves warm or special chemicals that stops their blood from freezing. Others have adapted so they can withstand intense heat, pounding waves or the biting cold o winds. A few living things can s survive without water for months or F even years, then suddenly come back to life when it rains.

Most living things would die within seconds if they fell into a hot water spring. But amazingly, some types of bacteria are quite at home in these surroundings. These bacteria use dissolved minerals as a source of energy, and they can survive and grow in temperatures above 70°C. On deep seabeds, some bacteria survive in super heated water from volcanic vents, which can be as hot as 115 5 degrees Celsius.

Where Oxygen is Short

On high mountains, the air is much thinner than it is at ground level, so it is harder for animals to get the oxygen that they need to breathe. Some mammals, such as the South American vicuna,

overcome this problem by having a special form of the red blood pigments, haemoglobin. It is usually good at absorbing oxygen, and it allows vicunas to survive at heights of more than 16,400 ft.

In Fast flowing Waters 

Only fish that are strong swimmers can live in fast-flowing water. They must swim against the flow of the water just to stay in the same spot. They face upstream, against the current and catch prey as it comes rushing downstream trout, salmon and other fish have developed streamlined bodies to enhance swimming. By swimming faster than the flowing water, fish can hold their place in the water or more upstream if necessary. In swift stretches of the Amazon river in South America, there is a kind of catfish that clings to rocks by sucking them. It feeds on the algae it finds there.

In extreme Cold 

Many Arctic animals rely on camouflage for protection. The short-tailed weasel or ermine, is covered with brown fur in summer. in winter it moults  and replaces this coat with a snow white pelt. The white fur of seal pups is their only protection against predators. But white coats are not restricted to the hunted. Many predators such as polar bears also use camouflage to stalk their prey.

Let's be more knowledgeable 

Last Male on Earth

Cycads have lived on Earth since the time of the dinosaurs but today they are the world's most threatened plant group - at least half of them face extinction. Only one male specimen of the cycad Encephalartos woodii has been found in the wild in southern Africa. No female has ever been found, so the species will probably die out. A stem from the last male was planted at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in Britain and still grows there.

Tools for Eating

Animal bodies are adapted to suit the kind of food they eat. Herbivores usually have flat, broad teeth designed for munching plants, while most carnivores have sharp teeth and strong jaws for grabbing and tearing up their prey (the animals they eat).

One can see the long, sharp teeth in this badger's skull. They are good for grabbing and slicing through flesh. In this roe deer's skull, you can see the long front teeth which are suited to biting off pieces of plants and flat molar teeth which are good for chewing plants.

Surviving Drought-Tardigrade

Most drought-resistant animals live in deserts, but some microscopic species live in places that are normally damp but can suddenly dry out. These tiny animals include tardigrades, or water bears, which are found on plants, in ponds, and in gutters. If a tardigrade's surroundings begin to dry out, it turns into a barrel-shaped object called a tun. Its body processes almost come to a complete halt and do not start again until it gets wet once more. Tardigrades can stay in this state for more than 25 years.

Surviving the Winter

Winter is difficult for the mammals in deciduous forests because food is 1 scarce and the weather is cold. Many mammals grow thick winter coats and rest in burrows, tree holes, or among leaves. Dormice and hedgehogs hibernate, squirrels build winter nests, called dreys, out of stick and leaves, and spend a lot of time asleep. They bury surplus food in autumn and dig it up for winter use.

Concluding, I just want to say Adaptation is necessary for successful implementation in the environment. Not only plants and animals but humans too have adapted in the yesteryears, and the series of Adaptation will continue.