CEDAR MONTESSORI

PRIMARY DEPARTMENT
GRADE 5 SUBJECT: SCIENCE
WEEK 7 - WEEK 8 NOTE
STRAND 1: SYSTEMS SUB-STRAND 3: ECOSYSTEM
3.1 Adaptations of organisms to their habitat

An ecosystem is a system formed by organisms in interaction with their environment. The

biotic and abiotic compounds are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows.

Habitat

A habitat is the natural environment where an organism lives. It’s much more than just a
place; it’s a complex tapestry of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors that dictate
which species can survive and thrive.

A habitat provides an organism with the necessary resources for survival, including:

 Food: The availability of suitable food sources be it plants, other animals, or detritus.

 Water: Access to freshwater, saltwater, or moisture depending on the organism’s

needs.

 Shelter: Safe places to hide from predators, weather conditions, or raise offspring.

 Space: Adequate territories to hunt, forage, reproduce, and maintain social structures.

 Suitable Climate: A temperature range, humidity level, and amount of sunlight that the
organism can tolerate.

Note: A habitat focuses on the area where a particular species or population lives while
an ecosystem encompasses a broader community of interacting organisms and their
physical environment.

There are two factors that affect an ecosystem or a habitat to thrive or deteriorate. These
include biotic and abiotic factors.

Abiotic Factors: The Non-Living Foundations

Abiotic factors are the non-living components of a habitat that significantly influence the life
within it. These can be categorized into:
  Climate: Temperature, precipitation, humidity, sunlight, and wind patterns all play a
critical role in shaping the habitat. For instance, a desert habitat experiences extreme
temperatures and minimal rainfall, selecting for species adapted to these conditions.

 Soil: The composition of the soil, including mineral content, pH level, and drainage,
dictates what types of plants can grow, which in turn affects the animals that rely on
those plants. Sandy, nutrient-poor soil will support different vegetation than rich, loamy
soil.

 Water: Whether freshwater or saltwater, the quality and availability of water directly
affect aquatic life and influence terrestrial habitats as well. The salinity of the water,
the current velocity, and its temperature all have profound impacts.

 Topography: The physical features of a habitat, such as mountains, valleys, and plains,
create variations in temperature, sunlight, and water availability, leading to diverse
microhabitats within larger regions.

 Geographic Location: Latitude and altitude strongly influence the climate and,
therefore, the types of species present. Polar habitats, for example, differ drastically
from tropical habitats due to their geographic location.

Biotic Factors: The Living Interactions

Biotic factors are the living components of a habitat that interact with each other. These
interactions include:

 Competition: Organisms compete for resources like food, water, and space. This
competition can occur within a species (intraspecific) or between different species
(interspecific).

 Predation: The relationship between predators and prey drives population dynamics and
influences evolutionary adaptations. Predators control prey populations, while prey
adaptations often lead to camouflage or defense mechanisms.

 Symbiosis: Close and often long-term interactions between different species, including
mutualism (both benefit), commensalism (one benefits, the other is unaffected), and
parasitism (one benefits at the expense of the other). These relationships shape
communities and influence the distribution and abundance of species.

 Herbivory: The consumption of plants by herbivores, shaping plant communities and

influencing their growth and distribution. Herbivores are often a crucial link in the food
chain.

 Decomposition: The breakdown of organic matter by decomposers (like fungi and

bacteria) releases essential nutrients back into the ecosystem, sustaining plant life and
supporting the entire food web.
Types of Habitats: A Diverse Spectrum
Habitats are incredibly diverse, varying greatly depending on geographic location, climate, and
the complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors. They can be broadly categorized into:

Terrestrial Habitats

These habitats are found on land and are defined by their distinct features:

 Forests: Characterized by dense tree cover, with different types like tropical
rainforests, temperate deciduous forests, and boreal forests, each supporting a unique
set of plants and animals. Biodiversity in these habitats is often very high, with a
complex web of interactions between species.

 Grasslands: Dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, these are often found in open
areas, with variations like savannas and prairies. These habitats are often grazing
grounds for large herbivores, shaping both the plant and animal communities.

 Deserts: Defined by extremely arid conditions, with adaptations among plants and
animals to survive under low rainfall and extreme temperatures. These habitats can be
hot or cold, with sparse vegetation and unique fauna.

 Tundra: Found in cold regions, characterized by permafrost and low-growing vegetation

like mosses and lichens. These are fragile ecosystems with limited biodiversity,
sensitive to climate change.

 Mountains: Characterized by varying altitudes and climates, supporting a wide array of

habitats, from forests at lower elevations to alpine meadows and rocky summits at
higher elevations. These habitats exhibit distinct zonation patterns, changing as
altitude increases.

Aquatic Habitats

These habitats are found in bodies of water and include:

 Oceans: Covering vast areas of the planet, these are the largest aquatic habitats,
containing a diverse range of ecosystems from coral reefs to the deep sea. They
support an array of marine life, from microscopic plankton to giant whales.

 Lakes and Ponds: Freshwater habitats, ranging from small ponds to large lakes,
supporting unique ecosystems with fish, amphibians, aquatic plants, and invertebrates.
These habitats are often sensitive to pollution and changes in water quality.

 Rivers and Streams: Flowing freshwater habitats, supporting various species adapted
to running water and varying conditions. These habitats are influenced by flow rate,
water quality, and the surrounding landscape.
  Wetlands: Areas where water covers the soil, such as swamps, marshes, and bogs,
supporting rich biodiversity and playing a vital role in water filtration and flood control.
These ecologically important areas provide habitats for a variety of birds, amphibians,
and insects.

 Estuaries: Transitional zones where freshwater meets saltwater, creating unique

environments that are highly productive and important nursery areas for many species.
These areas support a complex mix of freshwater and marine organisms.

Microhabitats

Within larger habitats, there are often smaller, distinct areas called microhabitats. These can
be as small as a decaying log in a forest or a patch of moss on a rock, each with its own unique
conditions and supporting specific organisms. Understanding microhabitats is a key to
appreciating the subtle variations that drive biodiversity even within a limited area.

The Importance of Habitats

Habitats are crucial for the survival and well-being of all living organisms. They are the
foundation of functioning ecosystems and provide numerous essential ecological services:

 Supporting Biodiversity: Habitats provide the necessary resources for various species
to live and thrive. The destruction or degradation of habitats often leads to a loss of
biodiversity and species extinctions.

 Regulating Climate: Forests, wetlands, and other habitats help regulate the global
climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. The loss of these habitats
contributes to climate change.

 Water Purification: Wetlands and forests help filter and purify water, providing a
source of clean drinking water for humans and wildlife.

 Pollination and Seed Dispersal: Many habitats rely on pollinators and seed dispersers
for plant reproduction. The loss of these crucial interactions can have cascading
effects on the ecosystem.

 Nutrient Cycling: Habitats are vital for the cycling of nutrients, ensuring the
availability of essential elements for plant growth.

 Protection from Natural Disasters: Some habitats, like coastal mangroves, protect
communities from storms and erosion.

Threats to Habitats
Habitats face numerous threats, primarily driven by human activities:
  Habitat Destruction: Deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture are major causes of
habitat destruction, often fragmenting remaining areas and isolating populations.
This fragmentation can lead to reduced genetic diversity and increased vulnerability to
extinction.

 Pollution: Chemical pollution, plastics, and noise pollution degrade habitats and harm
wildlife. Pollution can affect the health of both terrestrial and aquatic organisms.

 Climate Change: Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and sea-level rise
are disrupting habitats globally, forcing species to adapt or relocate. This presents a
major threat to many ecosystems, particularly sensitive ones like coral reefs and Arctic
habitats.

 Invasive Species: Introduced species can out compete native species, alter ecosystem
dynamics, and cause habitat degradation. They can also lead to the spread of diseases
and the loss of native biodiversity.

 Overexploitation: Overfishing, overhunting, and illegal wildlife trade can decimate

populations and destabilize ecosystems, further damaging their habitats.

What is an adaptation?

The meaning of adaptation refers to how a species changes its body and behaviour to better
suit its natural environment.

The natural environment is an ever-changing feature of planet earth. The process of

adaptation ensures that the species which adapts the most, survive. Adaptation can occur
inside or outside animals' bodies. It can be in ways that they act, or even in ways that they
work with other animals in their habitat. For example, a tilapia (fish) in an aquatic habitat has
fins for swimming, and gills for breathing in water. This enables it to survive. If one suddenly
took a tilapia fish outside its habitat (aquatic), into something completely different (e.g. land),
all the tilapia's adaptations would be useless. The tilapia would die. In a similar way, if one
took a bird to an aquatic habitat, it would not survive. This is because it has no fins to swim,
and no gills to breathe in water.

Adaptation occurs over many years or generations. This means that it is a very slow process.

Some adaptations of organisms

1. Fish

The fish is of the adapted to life in water by having following features:

i. Fins for swimming, steering and balancing.

ii. Gills to enable it to breathe in water.

iii. Swim bladder, which enables it to move up and down in the water.

iv. Scales for protection.

Mouth

2. Parrot (bird)

i. It has wings and feathers for flying.

ii. It has hollow bones which helps reduce weight.

iii. It has a streamlined body, i.e. rounded in the pointed front and in the back. This enables
the bird to move through air easily.

iv. It has strong beak and feet. These help to grip and hold fruits and nuts it eats.
3. Camel

It is adapted to life in the desert by having the following features:

i. it has wide feet, which helps to walk on sand.

ii. It has long eyelashes to protect eyes from dusty winds.

iii. It has nostrils that opens and closes.

iv. It can drink up to 46 litres of water and walk for å week without drinking.
4. Tortoise

It is adapted to live grassland by having a thick, strong shell. This enables it to hide its head
and legs when scared.

5. Jackrabbit

It is adapted to live in the desert by having the following features:

i. It has long, large ears which regulate its body temperature.

ii. It has powerful hind legs that help it move very quickly.
 A jackrabbit

6. Chameleons

It is adapted to live on trees by having the following features:

i. It has swiveling eyes. These help to pinpoint fast-moving prey.

ii. It has a colour-changing skin. This helps to blend in or stand out to potential mates and
frighten rivals.
7. Giraffe

It is adapted to live on grassland by having following features:

i. It has a very long neck. This enables it to feed at high levels in the treetops.

ii. It drinks water when it is available, but can go weeks without it.

8. Cactus

A cactus is able to survive in the desert as it is adapted to the hot and humid conditions of
the desert. To survive in a desert, the cactus has the following adaptations;

i. It has long roots that go deep inside the soil for absorbing water.

ii. Its leaves are present in the form of spines to prevent water loss through transpiration.

iii. Its stem is covered with a thick waxy layer to retain water.