ENVS200 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Herbivore, C3 Carbon Fixation, Crypsis
30 May 2016
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Resources biotic or abiotic: whatever an organism uses/consumes in its growth and maintenance, leaving less avaibale for other organisms. Nonmotile organisms depend on the environment around them and roots to get what they need. Important resource for plants and other photosynthetic organisms. High intensities cause photoinhibition, also lead to dangerous overheating of plants. Most heritable variation in leaf shape has probably evolved under selection not primarily for high photosynthesis, but rather for factors. Eg: optimal efficincey of water use, minimization of damage by foraging animals, and decresig the likelihood of overheating. Sun and shade plants have different shapes too to max photosynthesis. Sun plants: thicker leaves and greater photosynthetic capacity (uncreasing chlorophyll and nitrogen), inclined at steeper angles to horizontal. Water is lost from plants when they photosynthesize. Wilting happens when the plant released more water than it takes, so the body of the plant starts to dry out.
