I.

Temperature as an ecological factor

The thermal regime of a habitat is determined by thermal conditions (their duration
and consistency) in combination with other factors. These are: latitude, topography, angle
of incidence of the sun, altitude, season, vegetation cover. The temperature regime varies
from one geographical zone to another and from one place to another. It is relatively
constant in the tropical belt. As one moves further away from the Equator, diurnal and
seasonal temperature variations increase. Temperature regimes in water and soil vary
with depth.
The importance of temperature as an environmental factor is related to its influence
on:
➢ life processes (growth, development, reproduction, nutrition) and the intensity of
metabolism of organisms;
➢ the distribution of species in their living environments;
➢ animal activity

II. Plants and temperature

Plants have no body temperature regulation mechanisms. It depends on the ambient
temperature. At high temperature, plants evaporate water more intensively through the
stomata. This leads to cooling of the leaves. High temperature disturbs metabolism and
toxins accumulate in the cytoplasm of plant cells. Adaptations not only for dry and hot
places but also for cold places are: thick bark, thick layer of hairs, covering scales of
buds, leaf drop, leaves changed into thorns, etc. At low temperatures various substances
(carbohydrates, fats) accumulate in the cytoplasm. This "thickening" of the cytoplasm
prevents the cytoplasm from freezing and plants from dying at temperatures lower than 0
degrees Celsius.

III. Animals and temperature

In the autumn and winter, the fluff of birds and the fur of mammals thickens,
subcutaneous fat accumulates. Under unfavorable temperature conditions, animals may
also change their metabolism or behavior. For example, birds migrate, others gather in
groups to warm themselves, some mammals stay in their shelters, "hibernate". Some
unicellular and invertebrate animals go into a state of almost complete but reversible
cessation of their vital activity (anabiosis).

Organisms can also influence the temperature of their environment through their life
activity. Under the shade of trees, the temperature is often several degrees lower than in
nearby meadows; in decay involving microorganisms, the soil temperature rises.