JAMB Biology Note- Natural Habitats

Topics:

(a) Aquatic (e.g. ponds, streams, lakes seashores and mangrove swamps)
(b) Terrestrial/arboreal (e.g. tree-tops of oil palm, abandoned farmland or a dry grassy (savanna) field, and burrow or hole.

Table of Contents

• Topics:
  • Natural Habitats
  • Aquatic Habitats
  • Terrestrial/Arboreal Habitats
  • Adaptive Features in Relation to Habitats
  • Summary

Natural Habitats

A habitat is the natural environment in which an organism lives, and it provides the necessary resources for its survival. Habitats can be broadly classified into two types: aquatic habitats and terrestrial/arboreal habitats. Organisms are specially adapted to survive in these habitats due to the unique conditions and challenges each environment presents.

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Aquatic Habitats

Aquatic habitats are those found in water. There are two main types of aquatic habitats:

1. Freshwater Habitats (e.g., ponds, streams, lakes)
   • Example organisms: Frogs, fish (e.g., tilapia), algae, and water lilies.
   • Adaptations:
     • Fish: Gills for extracting oxygen from water.
     • Water lilies: Broad leaves that float on the water’s surface to access sunlight for photosynthesis.
     • Frogs: Webbed feet for swimming and lungs for breathing in both air and water.
2. Marine Habitats (e.g., seashores, mangrove swamps)
   • Example organisms: Crabs, seaweed, mangrove trees, dolphins, and oysters.
   • Adaptations:
     • Mangrove trees: Salt-tolerant roots and the ability to filter salt from seawater.
     • Crabs: Hard exoskeletons to protect against predators and the harsh saltwater environment.
     • Dolphins: Streamlined bodies and flippers for efficient swimming in salty water.

Aquatic habitats provide essential resources like water for hydration, food, and oxygen, but they also present challenges such as varying water temperatures, salinity, and oxygen levels.

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Terrestrial/Arboreal Habitats

Terrestrial habitats are found on land, and arboreal habitats are those in trees. These habitats are characterized by different environmental conditions such as temperature fluctuations, rainfall, and the availability of food.

1. Terrestrial Habitats (e.g., savanna, abandoned farmland)
   • Example organisms: Grasshoppers, lions, termites, and elephants in the savanna.
   • Adaptations:
     • Lions: Sharp claws and teeth for hunting, and a strong sense of smell to locate prey.
     • Elephants: Large ears for regulating body temperature, long trunks for drinking water and grabbing food.
     • Grasshoppers: Powerful hind legs for jumping and escaping predators.
     • Termites: Specialized enzymes to digest wood and break down cellulose.
2. Arboreal Habitats (e.g., tree-tops of oil palm)
   • Example organisms: Monkeys, birds (e.g., parrots), and insects (e.g., ants).
   • Adaptations:
     • Monkeys: Prehensile tails and strong limbs for swinging from tree to tree.
     • Parrots: Strong beaks for cracking seeds, and vibrant colors for camouflage.
     • Ants: Ability to build nests in trees and work cooperatively in large colonies.

Terrestrial and arboreal habitats present challenges such as exposure to the sun, rainfall, and the need for shelter. Organisms in these habitats have evolved unique adaptations to help them thrive in their specific environments.

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Adaptive Features in Relation to Habitats

Organisms are highly adapted to their respective habitats. These adaptations help them meet the demands of their environment and increase their chances of survival and reproduction.

1. Aquatic Adaptations:
   • Gills: Fish extract oxygen from water using gills, which is an adaptation to the oxygen-poor environment in aquatic habitats.
   • Flotation Mechanisms: Some aquatic plants have air-filled cavities that help them float on the water’s surface to access sunlight.
   • Streamlined Bodies: Marine animals like dolphins and fish have streamlined bodies to reduce water resistance while swimming.
2. Terrestrial Adaptations:
   • Camouflage: Animals such as grasshoppers or lions blend into their environment to avoid predators.
   • Thick Skin/Fur: Some desert animals have thick skin or fur to reduce water loss and protect themselves from the harsh sun.
   • Specialized Diets: Herbivores in savannas and other grasslands are adapted to digest tough, fibrous plants.
3. Arboreal Adaptations:
   • Prehensile Tails: Some animals like monkeys and certain reptiles use their tails to grasp branches and move around the trees.
   • Climbing Limbs: Animals such as sloths and tree frogs have strong limbs and claws for climbing and maneuvering in trees.
   • Specialized Feet: Birds and insects have feet adapted to gripping tree branches.

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Summary

• Aquatic habitats (e.g., ponds, lakes, mangrove swamps) support a wide range of organisms adapted to life in water. These organisms have evolved features like gills, webbed feet, and salt tolerance to survive in different water environments.
• Terrestrial and arboreal habitats (e.g., savanna, oil palm trees) support animals and plants that have adapted to land-based challenges like temperature changes and the availability of food.
• The survival of organisms in their habitats depends on adaptations such as specialized feeding strategies, protection mechanisms, and locomotion to overcome environmental challenges.