Chapter 3 Physical conditions and the availability of resources 81

38 Figure 3.9
The relationships between mean January–May temperatures and
Mean Jan–May temperature (°F)

40 the annual mean dates of 10 flowering and leafing events from the
classic Marsham records started in 1736.
FROM REDRAWN FIGURES OF MARGARY, IN FORD, 1982
42

44

46

48
80 85 90 96 100 106 110
Mean days from Jan 1 when event occurred

130 Figure 3.10

Days from Jan 1 when leaves emerged

120 The relationship between the mean temperature in

the 4-month period, February–May, and the average
110 date of six leafing events. The correlation coefficient
is –0.81.
FROM REDRAWN FIGURES OF KINGTON, IN FORD, 1982
100

90

80

70
40 42 44 46 48
Mean temperature for Feb–May (°F)

is for the morphological and physiological characteristics to keep changing with

the seasons (or even anticipating them, as in acclimatization). But change may be
costly: a deciduous tree may have leaves ideal for life in spring and summer but faces
the cost of making new ones every year. An alternative is to economize by having
long-lasting leaves like those of pines, heathers and the perennial shrubs of deserts.
Here, though, there is a cost to be paid in the form of more sluggish physiological
processes. Different species have evolved different compromise solutions.

3.2.6 Animal responses to environmental temperature

Most species of animals are, like plants, ectotherms: they rely on external sources ectotherms and endotherms
of heat to determine the pace of their metabolism. This includes the invertebrates
and also fish, amphibians and lizards. Others, mainly birds and mammals, are
endotherms: they can regulate their body temperature by producing heat within
their body.