1. Myrtaceae Family
Myrtaceae, also known as the Myrtle family; are known for their high adaptability and survival rate within harsh Australian environments allowing them to survive in a variety of ecological conditions. The family varies from tall trees to medium sized shrubs and are found in tropical and sub-tropical environments though can be found growing in desert like conditions due to low nutrient soil present on the coastal lines. It is also known for its high abundance of fragrant oils it produces (David V. Beardsell. Etal, 1993).
2. Characteristics of this family typically resemble the harsh conditions the Australian environment offers the plants. Tall trees of Myrtaceae are coated with a smooth bark, which shed annually for their protection against fire sensitive areas. The leaf surface has tiny dots called oil glands and their flowers form in groups. Research has also shown that they also have multiple stems arising from the surface. These stems appear to be new adaptations measures against their high fire prone habitats (Peter G. Wilson, 2011). Some species of Myrtaceae family found in rainforest habitats are usually are broad and mesophylls, with the presence of acuminated tips as their leaf morphology; whereas species of arid or coastal regions often have smaller, narrower leaves which sometime have a scale like sensation, whilst keeping the leaves simple and non-vascularized tooth like projections adaptations (Peter G. Wilson, 2011).
Flowering of such family varies due to providing a barrier to interspecific hybridization factors, through; numerous species of the family in the same locality usually flower at the same time each year (David V. Beardsell. Etal, 1993). Due to the high abundance of wildlife in Au...
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... animals will not survive. If the Eucalyptus species become extinct, the koala’s species will become endangered (J. D. Majer. Etal, 1992).
4.3 Importance to ecosystems
The center of many Australian ecosystems are the Eucalyptus as there are numerous organisms whose life styles interact with the plants providing food sources, shelter and nesting sites. Eucalyptus species are present throughout most of the Australian continent due to its adaptability and morphology aspects. Such species that are present on the coastlines, their roots provide stable soil/ground as sand is very aerated and can move incredibly. With the presence of the strong and long roots of the species, this enables the ground to be secure and hold whereas if taking the plants out of this environment, the sand on beaches will erode away due to lack of stability (David V. Beardsell. Etal, 1993).
Many variations and species of plants can be found all around the world and in different habitats. These variations and characteristics are due to their adaptations to the natural habitat surrounding them. In three of many climatic zones, the arid, tropical and temperate zone, plants that vary greatly from each other are found in these locations. In this experiment, we’ll be observing the connection between the adaptations of the plants to their environment at the Fullerton Arboretum. The arboretum is a space containing numerous plants from different environments. The plants are carefully looked after and organized into their specific habitat. Therefore, we’ll be able to take a look at the plants within multiple
The Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub have a variety of different plant species, from Torrey Pine to Cacti. They each contain some helpful adaptations that have resulted from directional selection over many years. Many of the plants within the Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub have small leaves. This is advantageous because the smaller surface area prevents excess water loss. The stomata in turn are often closed during the day to maximize energy. Waxy coating is also for halting water loss. Another adaption is having leaves with dark colored tops and lighter undersides. Plants absorb red and blue light for photosynthesis and reflect green light, causing their green color. Since many chaparral leaves are green, more heat is deflected. The main goal for these adaptations is to conserve water during the day and to stop all energy expenditure. All of these adaptations are also attributed to the dry and fire-prone environment.
Wilhite, L.P., and J.R. Toliver. 1990. Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. Baldcypress. P. 563–572 in Silvics of North America, Vol. 1: Conifers, Burns, R.M., and B.H. Honkala (tech. coords.). Agricultural Handbook 654. US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.
Lack, Andrew, Proctor, Michael, Yeo, Peter. The Natural History of Pollination. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, 1996.
Dandelions, known to the botanist as Taraxacum officinale, are classified in the Composite (Compositae) family of flowering plants. The genus name, Taraxacum is derived from the Persian word for "bitter herb," (Myer, 1994). Accompanying the golden ruse of the dandelion are the daisies, aster, sunflowers, goldenrod, Joe Pye weed and many other wildflowers.
As a result of these factors, the flora has adapted to these conditions in a variety of ways including their shape, leaf type, root system, and color. One of the most prominent adapt...
Queensland coastal dunes are an integral part of coastal environment and ecosystems. Queensland beaches are known for a number of its natural icons and prominent features and are widely recognized and appreciated for their breath taking scenery, significant biodiversity, recreation experiences and generation of economic benefits from tourism. With the influx of human influence with beachfront development, mowing and topsoiling dunes, pedestrian and vehicular traffic, weeds and feral animals disturbing the native ecological communities, leads to the destruction of delicate sand dunes creating more damaging problems such as erosion. (reference)
Hawaii is such a diverse and unique area that it is said to be a biologist’s paradise. Biologists travel here to study the wide variety of species and one such species is Aleurites moluccana or the kukui tree. The kukui tree is originally from Southeast Asia, particularly the Indo-Malaysia region, and has moved its way into the Pacific. It was first introduced to the Hawaiian islands when the Polynesians navigated their way here hundreds of years ago (Elevitch, C. R., & Manner, H. I., 2006). Since then, the kukui tree’s physical adaptations have helped it to thrive in Hawaii and native Hawaiians were able to utilize this plant in a number of ways.
They provide costal stabilization and food chain support, and play a valuable role in foreshore protection, reducing erosion and lessening the impact of storm surges. They are a diverse group of trees that share the ability to live in waterlogged saline soils, which is actively affected by tides. They can create new land by water spreading out and the sediment from the trees settling to the bottom being trapped by the roots. Eventually they grow out and find dry land. However, the environment is a harsh place to live due to many contributing abiotic facts, but they have adapted to be able to grow in such environmental conditions.
Semaphore is a classic Adelaide beach supporting many facilities. However, this would not be the case if coastal management was not put into progress. Coastal management is a way of supporting the world’s coasts, by using many techniques from construction of structures in which prevents wave energy from reaching the shore to planned strategies. Factors of this includes; rising sea levels, erosion, long and short term drift, sand movement and marine biology. The importance of coastal management is quite significant as it will help to prevent coastal erosion. In addition to this, without coastal management the world will be affect economically, environmentally as well as socially. Without the strategies involving the management of the coast,
The Mediterranean plant Banksia and Hakea have the ability to build post-fire communities rather successfully due to seed storage. Almost all of the species studied stored their seeds in dense woody fruit. In order for seed dispersal to occur leading to germination and sprouting, the fruit must be dense woody structure of the fruit must be dried. The drying of the fruit causes cracking allowing for the seeds to disperse and germinate. The addition of occasional fires to these communities allow for the drying of the fruit quicker than in its natural state (L...
Currently 85% of Australia’s population lives along the east coast of Australia and people are uneducated about the impacts that they are having along the coastline. With the population increasing everyday the coastline is receive huge pressure to sustain, and further develop the area. Many management plans have been put into place along the coastal areas around Narrabeen Lagoon and beach. These include dune rehabilitation, sand replenishment and the introduction of the rock-training wall in 1982.
California Chaparral have formed many adaptations to compensate for droughts in the summer. The shrubs have a deep root systems that can reach up to 8 meters deep. Other shrubs’ roots can be wide spreading and generally shallow. To reduce transpiration the shrubs have adapted their coloration, cuticles, and stomata. Their stomata will close when water stress is occurring in the plant. To reflect light, the shrubs have a light coloring to them and a thick cuticle. The thick cuticle also prevents water loss. Chaparral adaptations have other similar adaptations to desert plants that will be discussed more thoroughly.
ANOVAs were calculated using the IASRI website portal (online analysis of data; http://iasri.res.in/analysis/online_analysis.htm) for all the quantitative and qualitative traits. Among the quantitative trait test weight, days to 50% flowering, flag leaf length, panicle exertion, plant height and yield per plant were showing highly significant variation (Table 1). Among the qualitative traits apical sterility and inflorescence lobe, inflorescence compactness, inflorescence shape, lobe compactness, leaf senescence, degree of lodging at maturity and sheath pubescence (Table 2) was highly significant variation, this is showing that core comprising accessions were highly diverse and truly representing the variation of whole collection.
The relationships between plants and pollinators play a key role in our ecosystems. Pollinators are animals, such as bees, butterflies, moths, bats, flies, wasps, and birds, that transfer pollen from one flower to another. Pollination is the movement of pollen to the male or female part of the plant. This leads to fertilization and the production of seeds and flowers. They maintain and establish ecosystems. “Pollinators are an integral part of our environment and our agricultural systems; they are important in 35% of global crop production” (NCRS 2013). “Pollinator declines can result in loss of pollination services which have important negative ecological and economic impacts that could significantly affect the maintenance of wild plant diversity,