Plant and Animal adaptations Biomes Plant and Animal adaptations

Tundra Plant and Animal Adaptations Plant life is limited to mosses, grasses, lichens, herbs and woody shrubs. Only small plants can live here due to the permafrost that does not permit deep root systems

Animal life is limited to migrating animals as the winters are extremely harsh. These include ducks, geese, moose, caribou. Mosquitoes are abundant in the summer months

Taiga Plant and animal adaptations This Biome is characterized by Coniferous trees such as Fir, Spruce and Pine. These trees do not loose their leaves are able to carry put photosynthesis whenever conditions are favorable

Coniferous trees also have flexible leaves that can withstand the weight of snow. These trees also have needle like leaves that help to conserve water by reducing the rate of transpiration

Animals include many migratory birds, moose, lynx, squirrels, many small rodents. Many animals may hibernate during the winter when food is sparse and live off of stored body fat

Tropical Rain Forest Plant and Animal adaptations The trees of this biome are broad leafed evergreen Emergents. Vine like plants called Epiphytes anchor their roots to trees and get moisture and nutrients from them.

Trees have shallow roots that are spread out to support the tree Do to the extensive canopy cover the floor of the forest is dark and contains few nutrients.

Animal life includes many tree dwelling organisms such as Monkeys, snakes, any bird species, and ground dwelling carnivores

Grasslands Plant and animal adaptations Grasses are the dominant vegetation. Contains few trees as it is too dry and high winds and frequent fires are common

Plants have extensive root systems to get any available ground water. Many plants also have underground stems, this helps them to survive fires

Many Animals have strong legs for hopping, this allows them to see above tall grass. Strong powerful legs also allow them to escape predators Herding behavior is common

Deserts Plant and Animal Adaptations Succulent Plants are able to store water in their leaves or stems. Succulents also have extensive root systems Succulents have modified leaves to prevent desiccation

Many types of plants have seeds that are dormant until such time as there is a heavy rainfall

Animals need to deal with the heat and the dry conditions Many animals are active only at night, early morning or late afternoon Some animals burrow to avoid heat

Some animals have oversized ears that help to radiate body heat- jackrabbit and foxes Panting and sweating is common to reduce heat

Many desert animals deal with the lack of water by conservation strategies. Some excrete highly concentrated urine. Some get water from food

Animals such as snakes and lizards have waterproof skin coverings