Impact of Environmental Changes on Organisms and Traits

1. Environmental Change In this presentation you will: • explore how environmental changes affect organisms and traits in subsequent populations Next >

2. Introduction Changes in the environment can force organisms to find new ways of surviving. Some may need to find new sources of food, new shelter or new reproductive partners. Polar bear feeding in the wild Others may move to a new place where they can continue to live as they did before the change. Next > EDD

3. Short Term Environmental Changes Short term environmental changes will have an effect for typically less than a decade. They include changes such as: • Drought • Localized pollution • Flooding Next >

4. Drought Populations may change migratory routes to avoid locations that suffer drought. They may also change their reproductive cycle to tie in with periods of plentiful water. This trait will be passed on to subsequent populations. Next >

5. Localized Pollution During the industrial revolution in England, a lot of soot was produced from factory chimneys. To help peppered moths hide from predators in the soot, their population changed. Dark colored moths became more dominant than lighter colored moths. After the industrial revolution, the soot disappeared and lighter colored moths became more dominant. Next >

6. Flooding A flood can dramatically change a local environment, wiping out the natural habitats of many species. Next >

7. Question 1 If an animal relied on camouflage for survival, and pollution covered its habitat in a fine layer of soot, what trait would most likely change in subsequent populations? A) Its color would get lighter B) Its color would get darker C) Its size would increase D) It would adapt its diet to a different food supply Next >

8. Question 1 If an animal relied on camouflage for survival, and pollution covered its habitat in a fine layer of soot, what trait would most likely change in subsequent populations? A) Its color would get lighter B) Its color would get darker C) Its size would increase D) It would adapt its diet to a different food supply Next >

9. Long Term Environmental Changes Long term environmental changes can have an effect for decades, or even millions of years. They include: • Deforestation • Volcanic eruptions • Underwater volcanoes and vents Next >

10. Long Term Environmental Changes They also include: • Flooding due to dam building • Nuclear disasters • Global warming Next >

11. Deforestation The habitats of many organisms are being reduced by deforestation. The organisms will have to change and adapt to new habitats to survive. Many will be camouflaged for protection in the forest, and this trait may change over subsequent populations to better suit their new environment. Next >

12. Volcanic Eruptions Eruptions can affect the area local to a volcano, for example by increasing the levels of poisonous gases. Some organisms adapt over subsequent populations to tolerate these levels of gases. Taro Taylor Lichen growing inside a volcano Next >

13. Nuclear Disasters Where nuclear disasters have occurred, the environment can remain radioactive for a long time. Explosion at Chernobyl nuclear power station Map of Chernobyl radiation in Europe Species may have to adapt to cope with increased levels of radiation. Next >

14. Underwater Volcanoes and Vents Underwater volcanoes and vents can increase the water temperature around them. This can attract bacteria and other species that feed on bacteria. For example the ‘loihi’ shrimp has adapted to have tiny claws for gathering the bacteria. Next > NOAA

15. Flooding Due to Dam Building Dam building causes a more permanent change than flooding due to climatic conditions. It will displace land-based animals from their habitat. The flooded area could even make some plant life extinct. Subsequent populations would have to adapt to the new habitats. Next >

16. Global Warming Many scientists believe that the overall temperature of the world’s climate is increasing. Melting ice is reducing the size of the polar icecaps. The seas and oceans are warming. Populations of organisms that cannot adapt to these changes will die out. Next >

17. Global Warming Populations may have to change locations to areas that suit their natural body temperature. NSF Or their genetic traits may alter to allow them to adapt to higher temperatures. Next >

18. Global Warming The reproductive cycle may be changed, for example egg laying or flowering. The physical traits of animals are modified by natural selection, for example by developing thinner fur or changing body size. Next >

19. Question 2 How might long term environmental change affect organisms? A) The way they obtain food may have to change B) Their camouflage may have to change C) Their reproductive cycles may have to change D) They may have to find new places to live E) All of the above Next >

20. Question 2 How might long term environmental change affect organisms? A) The way they obtain food may have to change B) Their camouflage may have to change C) Their reproductive cycles may have to change D) They may have to find new places to live E) All of the above Next >

21. Summary In this presentation you have seen: • how short and long term environmental changes affect organisms • how these changes can affect traits in subsequent populations End >