Journey Through Different Habitats

Every organism has a unique ecosystem which is its natural habitat. Adaptation of animals to different habitats is very important for them to be able to survive. Organisms must be able to adapt to climatic conditions, and predators to compete for the limited food and space. Adaptation can be physical or structural. For instance, the limbs of birds have been modified into wings, the gills of fish for respiration in water, and the property of animals to run faster during hunting to protect themselves from predators.

With an escalation in industrialisation and population growth, the natural habitat of the animals is getting disturbed. Animals have the property to camouflage themselves so they can protect themselves from predators and inconsiderate weather.

Different Types of Habitats for Animals and Plants

There are a variety of animals and plants in different habitats. The different habitats and some examples of organisms living in the habitat are discussed here.

1. Terrestrial Habitat

The home of organisms that have all the essential factors like food, and shelter, required for survival is called habitat. Terrestrial habitat definition states that this habitat is found on land, forests, grasslands, and deserts. Adaptation of animals to different habitats will be discussed. Terrestrial habitats also comprise artificial habitats, like, as, cities, biospheres, or national parks.

The terrestrial habitats can be classified into:

1. Desert: In deserts, animals stay out at night and inside the deep holes during the day. Photosynthesis in desert plants takes place through stems, as in this way loss of water can be prevented.

Adaptations: Camels have adapted themselves to survive temperatures as high as 44 °C without perspiring. Jackrabbits have a network of blood vessels in their huge ears that help them to release extra body heat when they are resting in the shade.

2. Terrestrial habitat-grassland: The vegetation in grassland is conquered by grass and small plants. The climate is dry, and the animals commonly found in this type of habitat are zebras, gazelles, giraffes, rhinoceros, etc. Carnivores like lions, and cheetahs are also present. These animals have a critical role in the food chain of the ecosystem. The various species of grasses found in this habitat are purple needlegrass and buffalo grass. Among the flowers, asters, and sunflowers are prevalent.

Adaptations: The animals in a grassland have adapted themselves according to the environmental conditions. Most animals are either predators or prey. They can run at high speed. Due to the lack of trees, the birds like grasshopper sparrows make their nests in the ground. Lions are an excellent runner and their body colour helps them to hide well while hunting.

Deers have big ears that catch the faintest sounds. African elephants have large ears that help them to radiate the body’s heat. During the dry season, tusks are used to dig for water in the grasslands.

3. Terrestrial habitat-mountain region: High altitudes are usually inhospitable for inhabitants. The organisms living in the mountains experience a dearth of oxygen, food, and water.

Adaptations: The size of mountain animals is large because the smaller the animals, the greater the loss of heat due to the surface area. Some mountain animals are reported to migrate in search of their food, such as the bighorn sheep in summer move downwards to feed on alpine tundra foliage. Mountain animals like sheep have thick fur that helps to adapt themselves in cold weather.

These animals might blend in better with the snowy landscape because of their white fur. Predation is aided by this. Yaks have large lungs and hearts which helps them to compensate for the shortage of oxygen. Mountain plants are cone shaped and they have needle-like leaves that help them slide off snow. The plants include pines and firs.

2. Forest Habitat

The forest habitat which is a large area covered with plants. The forest habitat can be classified into different groups.

• In the tropical rainforest, which is found between the equator and the two tropics, the temperature of this habitat ranges from 20 to 34 ^oC. Plants like orchids, moss, and fern are abundant. Animals like bats, gorillas, and sloths, are prevalent.

• Temperate forests are found in northeast Asia and western and central Europe. The temperature here ranges from 30 to 30 oC. Plants like Maple, oak, and elm are present. Animals like Fox bald eagles, and black bears are popular. Animals mostly use camouflage to protect themselves from predators or to avoid becoming prey. The Green-Eyed Tree Frog has skin flaps that are textured to imitate the bark of the trees it lives on.

3. Aquatic Habitat

The aquatic habitat that includes the water bodies like rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans.

There are 3 kinds of aquatic habitat:

• Freshwater habitat comprises rivers, lakes, and ponds, the plants and animals found here are, lotus, water lilies, Fish, and frogs.

• Marine water habitat comprises oceans and seas. The most abundant plants and animals include whales, dolphins, sharks, and seaweeds.

• Estuaries are places where the saline water of the sea mixes with the freshwater of rivers. Animals like crabs, oysters, and worms are present. Plants like mangroves, seaweeds and marsh grasses are common.

Adaptation for aquatic habitat: In some marine mammals, like whales, the body is completely covered in fat, which helps in buoyancy and offers insulation from cold. The lower half of the aquatic plants partially emerge from the water's surface for effective photosynthesis.

4. Grassland Habitat

The grassland habitat which is dominated by grasses. Temperature ranges between-20-30 degrees. The most commonly found animals are giraffes, deer, zebras, lions, elephants, etc.

5. Desert Habitat

The desert habitat where there is scanty rainfall and the temperature can rise to 45 oC. Plants and animals like cactus, camel and kangaroo rats are found here.

6. Polar Habitat

The polar habitat which is the coldest habitat on earth. The lowest temperature recorded is -88oC. Commonly found animals in this habitat are polar bears and penguins. Dead leaves of the plants are retained for insulation. Plants like lichen, and dwarf woody shrubs are common here.

Interesting Facts

Terrestrial grassland biomes are the abode of some of the largest grazing animals like bison, elephants, and rhinoceros. The vegetation promotes the survival of both small and large herbivores.

Key Features of Journey Through Different Habitats

• The factors affecting a habitat are climate, soil and light intensity.

• The major habitats are forest, aquatic, polar and grassland habitats.

• Adaptation can be physical or structural and this phenomenon is very important for survival.