Chapter 2
Adaptations to the Physical
Environment: Water and Nutrients
Ecological Systems
Fig. 1.1
• Levels of Study
Outline
• Properties of Water & Adaptations
• Obtaining Water
• Osmoregulation
Physical Environment
• Niche
– Range of conditions tolerated
– Roles
Physical Environment
• Examples of physical factors affecting you
right now?
– In what situations are these factors more
extreme?
– Adaptations to these factors/stresses?
Water
• Heat
– Conductance
– Thermal Capacity
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/3D_model_hydrogen_bonds_in_water.jpg
1
Water
Water
• Density & Viscosity
• Density & Viscosity
– Gravity
Fig. 2.4
– Gravity
– Buoyancy
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/great-white-shark-1.jpg
Water
Water
• Nutrients
• Mineral Content
– Soluble
– Advantages?
– Disadvantages?
– Solubility limits
– Ca2+ & CO2
– CaCO3
Fig. 2.5
Fig. 23.4
– Surface Waters: 0.01 - 0.02%
– Oceans: 3.4%
Water
• Mineral Content
Fig. 2.3
Water
Fig. 23.4
Fig. 2.8
• H+
– pH
– H+ and OH– H2CO3
– Heavy metals
2
Water
Water
• H+
• Soils
– Heavy metals
– How do plants get water?
http://ecolibrary.org/images/full_image/Mining_Old_copper_mine_tailings_Montana_DP1205.jpg
Water
• Physics & Biology on a
micro-level
http://media.komonews.com/images/070807_Gecko_foot.jpg
http://www.microscopy.ws/themes/default/img/microscope.jpg
http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2008/04/30/bridled-or-common-house-gecko/
http://microscopy.bio.cmich.edu/images/SEMgallery/SEMgallery11.jpg
http://www.apsvic.org.au/images/particle_size.jpg
Water
Water
• Soils
• Soils
– Dissolved nutrients
– NPK
– Matric potential
– (Water potential)
– Matric potential
– Wilting coefficient: -1.5MPa
Fig. 2.9
http://www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/1121WeatheringArea.jpeg
3
Water
Fig. 2.10
Water
• Osmosis
• Cohesion-tension
theory
– Solutes
– Osmotic potential
– Root pressure
– Transpiration
Fig. 2.9
Water
Water
• Cohesion-tension
theory
• Salt and water balance connected.
– Osmoregulation
Water
• Salt and water balance connected.
– Osmoregulation
– Mangroves
Water
Fig. 2.13
• Animals
– Kidneys
– Salt glands
http://www.elucidationimages.com/kasab/media/images/art/Figure_4_131_kasmithart.png
http://www.cbc.ca/morningedition/images/ords_kangaroo_rat.jpg
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Water
Fig. 2.14
• Animals
Fig. 2.15
• Animals
– Kidneys
Water
Water
Birds & Reptiles
– Kidneys
Mammals
• Animals
Water
• Animals
– Kidneys
– Nitrogen
– Kidneys
– Nitrogen
Fish & Amphibians
Pough, Janis, Heiser 1999
Purvis, Orians, Heller, 1995
Thursday
• Chapter 3
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