Download Ecological Adaptations and Animal Adaptations

Coe
Lake
Outdoor
Science
Education
Environmental Science Unit
Ecological Adaptations of Plants
& Animals
Adaptations
• Adaptations help plants &
animals survive (live and grow)
in different areas.
• Adaptations could be coloration
to blend in with surroundings
(camouflage) or coloration that
is bright(warning sign to stay
away).
• Adaptations could also be odd
behaviors!
Top 10 Animal Adaptations:
Creature Countdowns:
Animal Planet
Instead of adapting to 1 particular area
or possibly hibernating, some animals
MIGRATE…
• Fly, walk, swim…
• Migratory routes exist on earth
(land,air,water) with resting spots (habitat)
along the way.
• Humans live within these migratory routes
and have altered the landscape resulting in
decreased/degraded habitat.
Tundra Swan at Coe Lake
on their way south to the Carolinas 
Whale Migration Routes
• Increased human
population,
increased human
habitat, increased
consumption of
resources END
RESULT =
decreased/degraded
natural habitat &
resources
As human habitat expands natural habitat
decreases.
• Added stress b/c of
increased edge
• Less food
• Less shelter
• Decreased chance
finding mate
• Leads to decrease in
population size
• generalist vs specialist
species
Habitat
Degradation/Destruction
can be remedied…teach
here…
C.L.O.S.E. Project to Offset Human
Habitat Development
Osprey Reintroduction
Pictured Left: Our meeting with ODNR
Division of Wildlife Osprey Specialist
Investigating “Osprey Island” on Coe Lake
to install an osprey nesting platform.
Alum Creek Ohio Osprey Migration
Over winter in Brazil Along Amazon River
Monarch Migration
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Spring Migration – head north from Mexico
(begins in March); few weeks to live, they
race to produce the next generation (have
up to 4 generations each summer, one
traveling a little further north than the last).
Summer- breeding season, monarchs live
from 2-5 weeks during which they mate and
lay the eggs (only on Milkweed) that become
the next generation.
Last Generation (in reproductive diapause)
are the ones that migrate to Mexico.
Enormous Task: weigh less than a gram &
have to fly 2,000-3,000 miles!
Then this generation of butterflies become
reproductive in February and March as they
move north, laying eggs on milkweeds as
they progress northward into the United
States. Some of these butterflies can live as
long as 9 months!
MIGRATION NORTH
Journey North: Monarch
Butterfly
MigrationLiveLink
MIGRATION SOUTH
The Fall Migration (September November). This figure is an
interpretation of the routes taken by
Monarchs during the Fall migration. The
pathways are based on tag recoveries
and observations of Migrating Monarchs.
Over-wintering Site for Monarchs
Copy Cats
• Mimicry- Animals can make
copies. Smaller, weaker animals
can imitate stronger animals to
stay alive. These "copycats" are
called MIMICS.
• Take a look at these two
butterflies. One is a Monarch
and very yucky to eat. The other
is a Viceroy and very yummy.
This moth caterpillar
defends itself by
mimicking a snake.
Plant Adaptations
• help them survive (live and
grow) in different areas; they
are special features that
allow a plant to live in a
particular place or habitat.
• Desert =small leaves, hair on
leaves, wax covering
• Temperate deciduous=broad
leaves, lose leaves in winter
• Polar(tundra)=small,together
&close to ground,small
leaves, shallow roots.
Desert Plants Adaptations
• Succulents (store water)
• Deep roots
• Little/no leaves (reduce SA, reduce
vapor. Of water)
• Spines (discourage predation)
• Little hairs shade the plant reducing
water loss
• Waxy covering (cuticle) reduce
water loss
• Flowers at night; lures evening
pollinators bc they are more likely
to be nocturnal as well.
Temperate Deciduous Adaptations
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Where we live
Wildflowers grow on forest floor early in the
spring before trees leaf-out and shade the forest
floor
Many trees are deciduous (they drop their leaves
in the autumn, and grow new ones in spring;
provides nutrients for itself w/ help of
decomposers).
Thin, broad, light-weight leaves that can capture a
lot of sunlight to make a lot of food for the tree in
warm weather; when the weather gets cooler, the
broad leaves cause too much water loss and can
be weighed down by too much snow, so the tree
drops its leaves. New ones will grow in the spring.
Trees have thick bark to protect against cold
winters
Flowers Bloom on
Forest Floor First
• They draw on food
(starches,sugars also called
“bottled sunshine”) stored the
year before in bulbs, tubers, fleshy
roots and rootstocks.
• In a few short weeks they bloom,
make seed, replenish their
underground stores of plant food,
then wither, soon after the trees
come into full leaf and shade
them.
• Picture Right: top-Hepatica also
called Liverleaf (early
bloomer,Feb/March), Bloodroot,
Springbeauty.
Anthropogenic Effects on Ecosystems
• Negatives-human expansion & settlement has
converted natural/wild habitat into human habitat
(impervious surfaces like parking lots, driveways,
roads); less habitat; less resources for plants &
animals; increased stress; decline in #’s individuals;
decline gene pool; eventual extinction
• Positives-we can bring it back! Replace low
biodiversity habitat (lawns, parking lots) into high
biodiversity habitat (habitat-renewal).
Habitat Renewal
food / water /cover
• Add native plants to
your yard
• Hang a bird feeder
• Add a simple water
feature
• Install a nesting box
(provides cover, place
to raise young)
Green Roof Idea
• Invite nature of all kinds to share
your yard
• Help the environment
• Do your part to counter the effects
of Urban Sprawl
• Make a homes for butterflies,
songbirds & more
• Reduce chemical and rainfall
runoff to help improve water
quality
• Save on energy costs
• Add science & entertainment value
for children & family members of
all age