GEOG 101 Lecture 31: Geog 101 - Class #31
Document Summary
Different types of plants and different species re adapted to different moisture conditions. Some adaptations (evolutionary response) to moisture deficit: Lack of leaves and round shape to decrease surface area for transpiration. Large hollow trunk can store up to 120,000 liters of water. Deep roots to access groundwater for long dry summer season. Following rain, plants germinate, grow, flower, set speed and die over a short time period. Seeds remain dormant until the next rain. Weird root things come out of the water to get air, Roots also in the bottom to provide support. Some adaptations (evolutionary response) to nutrient deficiency: Young soils (regosols) rich in weathering-derived nutrients but lack nitrogen. Nitrogen-fixing plants often found in such soils. Digestion of insect proteins yields ammonium for plants. Environmental factors that influence plant growth and reproductive successes. Fires prevent trees from taking a whole of an area. Fires occurring in the boreal forest as a part of the natural system.
