SMB 109: INTRODUCTION TO PLANT BIOLOGY

PLANT ADAPTATIONS TO their environment

11.1. Introduction
This is our last lesson of the course. There are plants suited for each part of the earth’s surface,
including aquatic habitats. For a plant to grow successfully in a given habitat its vegetative and
reproductive forms must suit the environment and climatic conditions of the particular place.
This lesson will enable you integrate the knowledge on plants with the habitats they are found in.

11.2. Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to;
1. Identify structural variations in plant organs
2. Relate modifications to plant habitats
3. Select plants that can cope in habitats of choice

11.2.1. Plant adaptations to their habitats

Plants occur in all of the biosphere. The biosphere is the earth’s surface and the surrounding
atmosphere. Climatic and edaphic factors vary markedly all over the earth’s surface. There is a
plant species that can colonise each part of habitable earth’s surface effectively. Thus species
have variations in their structures to adapt them to their habitat. Based on this criteria there five
types of plants namely:
 Xerophytes
 Halophytes
 Hydrophytes
 Mesophytes
 Epiphytes

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Xerophytes are plant species that is adapted for arid areas where precipitation is low and
evapotranspiration high. Their organs are suited to maximize absorption of water, store water,
have a high water use efficiency and minimize transpiration.
About 71% of the earth’s surface is occupied by saline water. Additionally soil is continually
salinized by natural and anthropogenic activity. Most plants therefore have to cope with a certain
level of salinity in their environments. Species that live successfully in high salt conditions are
called halophytes. Their structures are thus adapted to ultrafilter salt at the root, interrupt its
transportation, compartmentalize it so that it doesn’t injure other tissues, eliminate it by
exudation through specialized glands and hairs, shedding parts such as leaves where salt may
accumulate and leaching leaves or roots. Some halophytes are succulent in order to dilute salt
absorbed. Halophytes assume xeromophic characters because they also face physiological water
deficit.
Hydrophytes on the other hand have a luxurious supply of water thus their structures are adapted
to reduce absorption and transport of water, and maximize water loss. Mesophytes are the
majority of terrestrial plants and they thrive under moderate climatic and temperature conditions.
Their organs are therefore not modified for any specialized conditions but little variations occur
to suit prevailing conditions. Lastly, epiphytes grow on other plants or other surfaces. They
however do not parasitize on their hosts thus their structures are adapted to absorbing nutrients
mostly from debris around them and water from air.

E-tivity 11.2.1 Plant adaptations to their habitats

Numbering, pacing 11.2.1
and sequencing
Title Plant adaptations to their environment
Purpose The purpose of this e-tivity is to equip you with skills to analyse plant
characters and assign them their habitats.
Brief summary of Watch this short video to remind yourself about plant adaptations.
overall task

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Spark

Individual task Summarise all adaptation for each of the different groups of plants.

Interaction begins Discussion forum 11.2.1

The lily is a hydrophyte with broad leaves while water crowfoot is also a
hydrophyte with finely divided leaves. How do you think each plant copes
in their environment? Look at what other students have posted and
critique it.
E-moderator 1. Focusing group discussion
interventions 2. Providing feedback/ teaching points
3. Summarising key points
4. Closing the discussion
Schedule and time This task will take one week.
Next

References
Plant adaptations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-TczeGvCCg&t=23s. Accessed
28th March 2021.