3T.WK.4.SS2.

BIOLOGY

TOPIC : HABITAT

Definition : An Habitat is defined as the natural dwelling place of an organism where it is fully adapted
to carry out its life activities.

The three important habitats are Aquatic (in or around water), Terrestrial H(in or on land) and Arboreal
habitats(in or on trees ). Aquatic Habitats may be

i ) Marine/Salt Water egOceans , seas

ii ) Estuarine/ Brackish Water ,where fresh and salt water meet eg Lagoon, Bay, Delta

iii Freshwater egLakes,rivers,streams,ponds.

Terrestrial Habitats include Marshes, Swamps, Forests, Grasslands and Arid Lands.

AQUATIC HABITATS

Aquatic Habitats include Marine Habitat, Estuarine Habitat and Freshwater Habitat

Marine Habitat:

The characteristics of Marine Habitat are as follows :

1. Marine Habitat constitutes the largest habitat in the biosphere (70% of the Earth's area )

2. They do not undergo sudden or rapid changes in physical factors like temperature, pH, specific gravity
ie most stable habitat

3. Marine habitat consists of numerous dissolved ions such as Na+ K+ Ca2+ Pb4+ I- NO 3-

4. Hydrogen ion H+ concentration pH : salt water is alkaline in nature with pH of about 8-9 near the
surface

5. Salinity ( salt concentration of water ): Seawater has high salinity of about 35 parts per thousand

6. The density of seawater is high, about 1.028g/cm3 while that of freshwater is 1.0g/cm3

7. The temperature of the sea changes less quickly than that of the land. However the temperature drops
as depth increases

8. Oxygen concentration is highest at the surface where the atmospheric oxygen dissolves in water.
Oxygen concentration also decreases with depth

9. Waves, temporary movement of the seawater surface occur intermittently in any direction. They are
caused by Earth's movements and wind blowing across the surface of the water
10. Tides which are alternate rise and fall of the surface level of the sea occur at least twice daily. Tides
are caused by water distribution resulting from the combined gravitational pull of the earth by the sun and
moon.

Zones of The Marine Habitat

The shores and open sea make up a Marine Habitat. It can broadly be divided into the
LittoralandBenthiczones .

1. The Littoral or Subtidal zone is the region that extends over the continental shelf to a depth of about
200metres. It is constantly under water, with abundance of sunlight and nutrients. Beyond this, the ocean
floor can extend to a depth of 10,000metres. This is the Benthic zone .

The littoral zone is subdivided into the

i) Supratidal or Splash Zone the exposedzone wherewatersplashes when waves break on the shore

ii) Intertidal or Neritic Zone which is the Planktonic zone exposed at low tide or covered by water at
high tide. It is exposed to wave action and there are high photosynthetic activities going on due to
abundance of sunshine, and

iii ) Subtidal Zone is about 200m deep, constantly under water with abundant sunlight and nutrients

The Benthic Zone is about 500m deep with low temperatures, low light penetration and low nutrients. The
water is dark, cold and with little oxygen and food. Hence it is unfavorable to sustain life. Few or no
organisms are found there. It further consists of the

i ) Abyssal or PalegicZone, about 7000m deep with no light penetration, low temperatures and high
pressure. Absence of light infers low or no photosynthetic activities, hence food production is primarily
by chemosynthesis

ii ) Hadal or AphoticZone is the deepest, over 7000m deep .it constitutes the ocean floor or bed. No light
penetration, no oxygen, no food.

Vertical Zonation

Based on light penetration or depth, marine habitat can be zoned into three :

i) EuphoticZone is the area in direct contact with sunshine. There is enough light for photosynthesis.
Producers, Consumers and Decomposers are all present

ii) DispothicZone is a region of dim light, not enough for intense photosynthesis. Only consumers and
decomposers are found here

iii) AphoticZone is the bottom or bed of the seas and oceans, characterised by cold dark water without
light penetration and very few or no organisms living there

Adaptations of Animals to Marine Habitat

The richest flora and fauna are found on a rocky shore. Barnacles, Oysters, Mussels and Limpets are
found on the intertidal zone of a rocky shore which is exposed and where wave action is severe, while
Anemones, Sponges and Seaweed are found on the sheltered parts. Sea Urchins, Sea Cucumbers and
Seaweeds are found in rock crevices below the lowtide mark. Periwinkles (snails ) and shore slaters
(Crustaceans) are found on the splash zone .Generally marine organisms have adaptations as follows :

* Barnacles have protective mantle for attachment to rock, cilia for feeding and shell to prevent
dessication or drying up

* Fishes possess reduced or no kidneys to retain urea in their bodies in order to cope with the high salinity
of the water eg Cartilaginous fishes like sharks, dogfish. They also possess salt-secreting glands in their
gills or eyes for maintaining Osmo-regulation (salt balance )eg bony fishes like Tilapia, herring etc Some
have tube feet which enable them to hold on to rock shores and a hard shell to prevent dessication

* Shrimps possess powerful claws for holding food or prey

* Periwinkles possess lungs for breathing and foot for attachment

* Ghost Crabs burrow fast into the sand or mud to protect them against predators and strong waves

Adaptations of Plants to Marine Habitat

Plants such as seaweeds, algae, sesuvium and diatoms are naturally found in marine habitat with the
following adaptive features :

* Seaweeds have mucilaginous cover to prevent dessication, divided leaves or floating devices for
buoyancy and hold fast for attachment

* Algae eg Sargassum have chlorophyll for photosynthesis, small size or large surface area for floating in
water

* Planktons eg Diatoms possess air space in their tissues, rhizoids for attachment to rocks and air bladder
for buoyancy (floating )

3T.WK.5.SS2.BIOLOGY

TOPIC : ESTUARINE (BRACKISH WATER) HABITATS

An Estuary is a body of water formed at the coast where freshwater flowing towards the sea mixes with
sea (salt water )flowing inland. Estuarine habitats include Delta, Lagoon and Bays

Characteristics of Estuaries

1. The salinity fluctuates

2. The specific gravity is less than that of the sea

3. They have a high turbidity due to frequent disturbances.

4. The water is shallow

5. They have low diversity of species compared to marine habitat

6. They have high level of nutrients

7. There is low oxygen content, hence anaerobic activities are common

Plants Distribution and Adaptation in Estuaries

Plants found in estuaries include planktons, algae, red and white mangroves. The general adaptation are as
follows :

* Planktons (diatoms ) have air spaces in their tissues, rhizoids for attachment to rock shores and air
bladder for buoyancy

* Algae have chlorophyll for photosynthesis, small size or large surface area for floating in water

* Red mangroves has Stilt Roots with rootlets having air spaces for air conduction to the root tissues and
support to prevent washing away of the plant by tides. They produce seeds which germinate while they
are still on the parent plant, thus preventing carrying away of the seedlings

* White mangroves have pneumatophores ( breathingroots ) for gaseous exchange

Animals Distribution and Adaptation in Estuaries

Animals including Mosquitoes, Crustaceans, Molluscs, Worms, Fishes etc are found in estuaries. They
survive by possessing the following adaptive features :

* Mosquito larvae and pupae possess breathing trumpets for gaseous exchange

* Crustaceans and water snails burrow into the mud against predators, strong waves or tide

* Worms have strong protective and impermeable covering against high salinity

* Mudskippers have fins for crawling on land and swimming in water

* Fishes have fins for movement and swimming bladders for buoyancy

Examples of Food Chains in Estuarine Habitats

1. Detritus----> Worms ----> Snails----> Birds

2. Diatoms ---> Shrimps ---> Fishes

3. Diatoms ---> Small Fish--> Sharks ---> Man

FRESHWATER HABITATS
This is a body of water formed mainly from inland waters and contains very low or no salts. Freshwater
habitat is of two types based on its mobility

a. Lotic Fresh Waters : These are running waters flowing continuously in a specific direction eg
rivers, springs, streams

b. Lentic Fresh Waters : These are stagnant waters which do not flow eg lakes, ponds, puddles,
swamps and dams

Characteristics of Freshwater Habitats

1. It contains little or no salts. Salinity is 5parts per thousand ie 0.5%

2. It is small in size

3. Oxygen concentration is very high, available in all parts of the water body, especially at the surface

4. The water is shallow, hence sunshine penetrates to the bottom

5. The temperature varies with season and depth

6. There is seasonal variations of volume, decreasing or drying up in dry seasons and increasing during
rainy season

7. Water currents affect distribution of organisms, salts and gases, especially in Lotic waters

Plants Distribution and Adaptation in Freshwater

Plants of freshwater include waterlily, Spirogyra ,Water Lettuce, water weeds etc and they have the
following adaptive features :

* Water lily has air bladder ie expanded tips and light weight which keeps it afloat

* Spirogyra has mucilagenous cover for protection

* Water lettuce has hairs in leaves to trap air and keep afloat

* Water weeds (elodea) has a long and flexible petiole for swinging with water currents

Animals Distribution and Adaptations in Freshwater

* Protozoa have contractile vacoules for Osmo-regulation in water

* Duck has webbed feet for locomotion and serrated beak for sieving food in water into its mouth

* Hydra has slippery surface, hooks and suckers for attachment to water particles

* Pondskaters have long legs for skating on water surface

* Fishes have swim bladders for buoyancy and gills for respiration

Examples of Food Chains in Freshwater Habitats

1. Diatoms ---> Fish Fly---> Tilapia

2. Spirogyra ---> Tadpoles ---> Carps --> King Fish

3. Algae ---> Mosquito Larvae ---> Small Fish ---> Tilapia

3T.WK.6.SS2.BIOLOGY

TOPIC : TERRESTRIAL HABITATS

Organisms living on the land are called Terrestrial Organisms . They include plants and animals that are
found living on the ground and under the ground. Basically, terrestrial habitats are divided into four main
parts, namely :

i. Marsh. ii. Forest.

iii. Grassland / Savannah. iv. Arid Lands / Deserts

MARSH

Marsh is a lowland flooded in rainy seasons and usually waterlogged because of poor drainage. The
vegetation is predominantly of grasses and shrubs. When trees grow in a marsh, it is called a Swamp.
Marsh is a transition between the Aquatic and the Terrestrial habitats.

Formation of A Marsh

Marshes develop as a result of water overflowing its banks to accumulate on the adjoining coastal or
lowland area such as flood plains or rivers. This can be enhanced with extensive rainfall. When ponds and
lakes are filled up with soil and organic debris of plants, marshes can also be formed. Marshes formation
is therefore a gradual process. Marshes can either be salt water or fresh water marshes.

Characteristics of A Marsh

1. A marsh is a lowland

2. It is always flooded, wet and waterlogged

3. It sometimes have pools of standing water

4. It has a high relative humidity

5. It's water most times contain decaying organisms

6. The water has a foul smell and taste

Organisms Found in A Marsh

There are various plants and animals in marshes .The plants include algae, grasses, water lettuce, water
lilies, white and red mangroves, raphia palms etc

Animals found in marshes include mangrove crabs ,lagoon crabs, hermit crabs, mudskaters, Mudskippers,
fishes, crocodile, frogs, snakes, rodents etc

Adaptive Features of Marshes Organisms include :

a. Ability to tolerate the salinity of the soil and water

b. Ability to tolerate low oxygen concentration

Plants of freshwater Marsh have other adaptive features similar to those of freshwater habitats, likewise
the plants of saltwater marsh. Saprophytic organisms eg bacteria, which live on dead and decaying
organic matter in marshes have to adapt to anaerobic conditions

Examples of Food Chains In Marshes

1. Flowering Plants ---> Insects ---> Frogs ---> Crocodiles

2. Humus ---> Earthworms ---> Frogs ----> Snakes

FOREST HABITATS

A Forest is a community of plants in which tree species are dominant . There are different kinds of forests
whose distribution is determined mainly by climatic factors such as temperature, rainfall and at times by
soil elevation and man's activities such as farming, lumbering, bush burning ,roads and buildings
constructions

The major type of forests in Nigeria is the Rainforest

Characteristics of A Forest

1. The forest is rich in Epiphytes and Climbers

2. The interior of the forest has a high humidity, low light intensity and damp floor.

3. Presence of tall trees with canopies and existing in layers ( stratified )

4. Trees are Mesophytes with broad leaves

5. The trees have butress roots to support their heavy weight and height
6. Trees have thin barks for respiration (gaseous exchange) and transpiration

7. The forest floor is filled with fallen leaves on soft silty soil

Plants Distribution and Adaptation in the Forest

Forest plants ( trees ) include the African Walnut, Mahogany, Teak, Iroko, Obeche, Oil Palms, Ferns
(Pteridophytes ), Bryophytes (Mosses and Liverwort ), Epiphytes ( Orchid ), Fungi and Mistletoe etc
These plants have the following adaptive features

* Possession of strong tap root systems and buttress roots

* Possession of tall unbranched trunks

* Possession of broad leaves

* Epiphytes have mechanisms (strong aerial roots ) for storing water and absorbing moisture from air
while growing on tree branches

* Mistletoe ( a plant parasite ) develops root systems that can penetrate the stem of a plant to withdraw
manufactured food directly from phloem vessels of the host plant

Animals Distribution and Adaptations in Forest Habitats

Most forest animals are arboreal (living on trees )and these include bats, monkeys, snakes, squirrels, birds,
tree frogs, chameleons, etc Some also live in the soil eg earthworms and beetles while others live among
the litters on the ground eg millipedes, ants, snails . Other major types of animals in forests are Antelopes,
Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Zebra, Goats, Cattle, Grasshoppers, Lizards, Birds, Tigers,
Leopards,Rats,Squirel, Grass cutters, Kangaroo etc These animals adapt to the forest in the following
ways :

* Monkeys have prehensile tails and long limbs for climbing and jumping

* Bats modify their limbs into wings for flight

* Green snakes have protective colouration for camouflage

* Chameleon has prehensile tail and opposable digits for grasping as well as protective colouration for
camouflage

* Apes move in groups for protection, with high sense of sight

* Earthworms and snails have water impermeable cuticle to reduce water loss and prevent dessication

* Birds have powerful wings for flight

Examples of Food Chains in a Forest Habitat

Green plants ---> Grasshoppers --->Toads ---> Hawks

Green plants ----> Monkeys ----> Lion

Wk.8.SS2.BIOLOGY.

GRASSLANDS (SAVANNA)

This is a plant community in which grass species are dominant, but trees and shrubs may be present

Characteristics of Grasslands

1. Temperature is usually high and sunshine intense

2. Relative Humidity is low and rainfall scanty

3. Abundant grasses with few trees and shrubs sparsely distributed

4. Bush fires are frequent and trees are fire-resistant

5. Plants possess underground stems and deep roots to search deep for water

Types of Savanna

1. Southern Guinea Savanna

2. Northern Guinea Savanna

3. Sudan Savanna

4. Sahel Savanna

Southern Guinea Savanna is the largest biome in Nigeria

Plants Distribution and Adaptation in Grasslands

Grassland plants include Acacia, Elephant Grass, Guinea Grass, Spear Grass, Palms, Baobab trees etc,
with the following features

* Trees have tough barks to resist fires

* Grasses have underground stems to survive fires and drought

* Leaves have waxy surface to reduce water loss by transpiration

* Leaves are small and reduced to reduce transpiration

* Leaves fall in dry seasons to conserve water

Animal Distribution and Adaptation in Grassland

Animals found in grasslands include snakes, reptiles, rodents ,grass cutters, etc
Examples of Food Chains in Grassland

Grass ---> Grasshopper ---> Lizard ---> Snake

Grass ---> Grasshopper --->Toad ---> Hawks

Grass ----> Zebra ---> Lion

ARID LANDS (DESERTS)

These are areas of very low rainfall and high evaporation rate. They are the driest habitats, receiving less
than 25cm annual rainfall. Arid lands are of two types, namely :

Hot Deserts eg Sahara Desert (North Africa )

Cold Deserts eg most deserts in North America

Characteristics of A Desert

1. Water is very scarce

2. Temperature is very high by the day and very cool at nights

3. Vegetation is scanty

4. The soils are sandy and rocky

5. Strong winds occur frequently while sunshine is intense

6. Presence of drought resistant plants or Xerophytes

Plants Distribution and Adaptation in Deserts

Desert plants include thorny bushes of Cactus, Opuntia, scattered dwarf Acacia, Date Palm, Baobab trees
etc They adapt as follows :

* plants have thin leaves to reduce water loss by transpiration

* Cactus and Opuntia have leaves reduced to thorns to eliminate water loss by transpiration .They also
have thick succulent stem to store water

* Acacia are drought resistant and have deep roots to absorb underground water

* Baobab has waxy leaves or cuticles to reduce transpiration

Animals Distribution and Adaptation in Deserts

Desert animals include Camel, rodents, lizards, snakes, tortoise, grasshoppers, wasps, ants etc They
survive in the following ways

* most desert animals excrete solid wastes to conserve water

* the rodents remain in burrows during the day to avoid excessive heat of the sun

* reptiles have scales on their skin to avoid water loss

* Camels can survive several days without drinking water

* the insects eg locusts have water-proof bodies