Lecture 25 - Interactions with the Physical Environment

Every species on earth has an environmental range in which it can live. Usually it flourishes in the central portion of this range. Organisms contain a host of adaptations that allow them to manipulate their environments to remain within their preferred range. Plants and animals differ in the nature of these adaptations, which include the control of water, temperature, pH, and ion concentration. Reading assignment: Cotgreave, Peter and Irwin Forseth. Introductory Ecology, chapter 5