12 Questions
What is unique about plants compared to animals?
They can build up organic matter from inorganic material
What determines the distribution of plant species on earth?
The differences in the environment
What is the term for the particular place or situation in which a plant grows?
Habitat
What is essential for the ecological success of a plant species?
Its ability to cope with the physical environment and associated species
What is the characteristic of a plant that allows it to grow within a limited range of environmental conditions?
Ecological amplitude
What is the term for the influences and effects of the living organism on its surroundings?
Environment
What is the term for the range of environmental conditions in which a species can grow?
Ecological amplitude
What determines whether a species is present in a certain habitat or community?
Ecological amplitude
What is the result of plants growing outside their optimum range of ecological amplitude?
Loss of vigour and death
What is the usual cause of phenological differences between species?
Variations in ecological amplitude
What is the factor that can cause zonation of plants?
Water content of the substratum
What is the result of competition between species when a species is growing within its optimum range of ecological amplitude?
Detrimental effects
Study Notes
Plants and Environment
- Plants are the only living organisms capable of building up organic matter from inorganic material.
- Animals depend on plants, either directly as herbivores or indirectly as predators.
Distribution of Plants
- Plants are found in diverse environments, including high mountains, hot springs, riverbanks, deserts, and dry rocks.
- The species that inhabit the earth vary from place to place, influenced by environmental differences.
Habitat and Environment
- Environment refers to everything that surrounds a living organism and affects its life.
- Habitat is a specific place or situation in which a plant grows, such as a stream bank or a salt marsh.
Ecological Success
- A species' ecological success depends on its capacity to cope with the physical environment and associated species.
- Key factors influencing ecological success include:
- Relations with the physical environment
- Relations among individuals of the same or different species
Plant Relations
- Plants have essential requirements and ecological amplitudes (characteristic potentiality for growth within a limited range of environmental conditions).
- Plants differ in:
- Competitive capacity
- Capacity of association
- Reproductive processes
- Resistance to grazing or other treatment
- Susceptibility to parasites
- Mutualistic and commensal relationships
Environmental Factors
- Environmental factors influence plant growth, including:
- Water
- Light
- Humidity
- Heat
- Cold
Ecological Amplitude
- Ecological amplitude refers to a species' characteristic potentiality for growth within a limited range of environmental conditions.
- Ecological amplitude determines whether a species will be present in a certain habitat or community.
- Phenological differences, such as flowering seasons, are often caused by variations in ecological amplitude.
Zonation
- Zonation of plants is often caused by differences in ecological amplitude of species.
- Factors influencing zonation include:
- Water content of the substratum
- Salt content of the soil
- Length of the growing season
Test your understanding of ecological amplitude, also known as tolerance range, which refers to the range of environmental conditions in which a species can grow and survive. Learn how it affects the presence of a species in a particular environment.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
