The different layers of the rainforest give different features to the rainforest. For example the bottom layer of the forest has little or no light so there isn’t much vegetation that can grow there. The next layer has some light and lots of leaves, and the top is vast with vegetation, creatures and sunlight. 2. What changes happening in Madagascar are posing challenges for lemurs?
Environmental changes are occurring, such as deforestation. Some lemurs rely on certain diets, like the bamboo lemur which eats only bamboo. Deforestation occurs when loggers clear-cut the trees and natural habitat of the lemurs. It is a longer process to evolve to the changes than it is to clear the habitat in which the lemurs live and eat. Using the bamboo lemur as an example, if people continue to cut down the bamboo, the lemurs will not have food and they could become extinct very quickly.
Their natural habitats are old-growth forests and these can be found in places that range from northern California, all the way to British Columbia, Canada. There are only around 2360 Northern Spotted Owls left in the wild. The owls do not migrate or move from their territories unless there is a disturbance in their habitat. An example of a disturbance would be if a lumber company wanted to tear down the forests for the wood.The owls would be forced to leave because those trees are not only home to the owls, but they are also home to the owl’s food source. The Northern Spotted Owls are very territorial.
Also harvested and burned to be used in _______ _ Plants C. Plant Functions a) Plants in the Savanna regions are highly specialized to grow in this region during long periods of drought b) They have long tap roots that can reach the deep water table, thick bark to resist forest fires, trunks that can store water, and leaves that _______ off during the winter to conserve water. c) Some plants have sharp thorns, or a __________ taste to discourage animals from feeding on them. D. Animals of the Savanna 1. Aardwolf (__________________________) a) Long, furry hyena that has long front legs and short front legs b) Carnivore but also an __________________. c) Feeds mostly on Harvester termites, Insect Larvae, and eggs of ground nesting birds d) Has a rancid odor to that of a __________.
Pre Lab Questions: 1. Explain the reasoning behind the classification of biological hotspots. * A biological hotspot is an area that is rich in biodiversity but is being threatened of extinction 2. What reasons are there for classifying Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands as biological hotspots? * Madagascar and the Indian Ocean were once a place of high plant and animal diversity and population however, in the last 1500 years people have come into this untouched environment impacting these species due to their lack of knowledge on human involvement.
Both Boscastle and Thailand were at the foot of steep slopes. Steep slopes mean that rainwater will run straight off the surface. Deforestation is also a major factor in this. Ten years ago Thailand was a home to many natural vegetation and forests. However due to illegal logging and the government’s agricultural policy, it had resulted in the loss of many forests.
Northern forests offer the lowest human density of any tiger habitat, and the most complete ecosystem. The vast woodlands also allow tigers far more room to roam, as Russia's timber industry is currently less extensive than that of many other countries. Tigers are the largest of all wild cats and are renowned for their power and strength. There were once eight tiger subspecies, but three became extinct during the 20th century. Over the last hundred years, hunting and forest destruction have reduced overall tiger populations from hundreds of thousands to perhaps 3,000 to 5,000.
The main factor behind this tragedy is that they are native only to the tropical rainforests in the islands of Borneo (shared between the countries of Indonesia and Malaysia) and Sumatra (in Indonesia), these rainforests are rapidly disappearing due to logging and the expansion of huge palm-oil plantations that are replacing the rainforests at a very fast pace. This means the orang-utans are losing their home and their food source. The Sumatran orang-utans are critically endangered as there are only as few as 6,000 left in the wild. Over the past 100 years the population has decreased by 91% and continues to become fragmented and isolated and many of the populations are no longer viable. The Bornean orang-utan species has about 40,000 animals left in the wild, a much healthier number then the Sumatran orang-utan but still not ideal.
Sowbugs are mostly vegetarian, but considered omnivores (The University of Arizona 1997). Found in many flower beds, flower pots, and greenhouses sowbugs are considered pest to many gardeners. But they happen to be very valuable because they are able to circulate soil without eating garden plants. As scavengers though, they also play a
Honors Biology Project Part One By: Logan Lazaras The ecosystem that is being studied in this particular assignment is deforestation. Deforestation occurs in many places all around the world. However, we will be discussing the affects of deforestation in the South African rainforest. This is a threat to many species within the destructed region. Trees and toucans are going to be the species studied during the report.