Download Essential Question: How can changes in an organism`s environment

Essential Question:
How can changes in an
organism’s environment affect
its survival?
Environment = Habitat
• A habitat is the place where an animal or
plant lives that includes essential things for
its survival—food, water, shelter, and space.
Habitat loss is the main reason a species can
become endangered or threatened. Other
causes include the over-killing and overcollection of animals and plants for food or
trade, the introduction of nonnative plants
and animals to environments, pollution, and
disease. Humans are changing the air, water,
and land faster than species can adapt. When
the changes are too severe, they cannot
survive.
What is extinction?
• While species have evolved and disappeared
throughout time, experts warn that today's
rate of extinction is alarmingly high.
Scientists say that it is natural to lose one
species every 100 years. Yet North America
has lost more than 500 species since 1620.
The National Wildlife Federation, an
organization that encourages Americans to
protect wildlife, estimates that today nearly
twenty plant and animal species around the
world are lost every hour.
Does your state have endangered species? Are
there any species that are now extinct?
• http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/StateListin
g.do?state=all
What is a structural adaptation?
• Structural adaptations are changed body
parts that help the organism survive in its
ecosystem.
• Example: A tree frog
• This type of frog can better avoid its enemies
because of its’ suction cups on its’ toes and
its’ green skin. How do these structural
adaptations help the frog survive?
What is a behavioral adaptation?
• Behavioral adaptations are inherited
behaviors that help animals survive. Some of
these behavioral adaptations are called
instincts.
• Example: A lemming
• The lemming is a small rodent that has an
instinct to migrate if their population in an
area gets too large. How does this behavioral
adaption help the lemming population survive?