WEEK 6: SS2 BIOLOGY THIRD TERM (TERRESTRIAL HABITAT)

                                                             

                                     Marsh habitat 


Marsh habitat (ẹkun omi tutu) is defined as a lowland habitat that is usually flooded or waterlogged (Ilẹ̀ tí omi ti kun) all the time. Naturally, grasses and shrubs grow in a marsh but when trees grow there, it is called a swamp (Ibi pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ̀tẹ̀ tí omi wà). Marsh is often regarded as a transition between the aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

FACTORS AFFECTING PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN TERRESTRIAL HABITAT

  1. Temperature – Influences growth, reproduction, and survival.

  2. Rainfall/Water availability – Essential for life; affects plant growth and food availability.

  3. Soil type – Determines the kinds of plants that can grow.

  4. Sunlight – Needed for photosynthesis and affects activity patterns of animals.

  5. Wind – Influences seed dispersal and water loss in plants.

  6. Human activities – Deforestation, farming, and pollution impact natural habitats.

 FORMATION OF MARSHES

     Marshes are wetlands formed in low-lying areas where water collects, either from rain, rivers, lakes, or groundwater. They develop when the land is saturated with water for long periods, allowing water-tolerant plants like grasses and reeds to grow. Over time, slow water flow and the accumulation of organic matter create soft, muddy soils that support diverse plant and animal life. Marshes can be freshwater or saltwater, often found near rivers, lakes, and coastal regions.

TYPES OF MARSHES

1. Freshwater marshes

2. Saltwater marshes

CHARACTERISTICS OF A MARSH HABITAT

1. Nature of soil

2. High flooding

3. Presence of stagnant water

4. High rate of organic Decomposition

5. Low Oxygen Concentration

PLANTS IN MARSHES AND THEIR ADAPTIVE FEATURES

1. Red Mangrove (Rhizophora racemosa) -

a. Presence of stilt roots for anchorage

b. Possession of numerous rootlets with airspaces for conducting air to root tissues

      2.   White Mangrove (Avicennia nitida) -

a. Possession of breathing roots (Pneumatophores) for gaseous exchange

 ANIMALS IN MARSHES AND THEIR ADAPTIVE FEATURES

  1. Frog – Moist skin and webbed feet for swimming and breathing.

  2. Crab – Hard shell to prevent water loss and claws for defense.

  3. Fish – Gills for breathing in water and fins for easy movement.

 FOOD CHAIN IN MARSHES

1. Detritus→Worms →Fishes

2. Humus →Earthworms →Frogs →Snakes

 FACTORS AFFECTING MARSH HABITAT

  1. Water Level and Flow – Changes in water availability affect plant growth and animal life.

  2. Pollution – Chemicals, waste, and runoff can harm marsh ecosystems.

  3. Human Activities – Draining, farming, and construction can destroy or alter marshlands.

     

                TERRESTRIAL HABITAT (FOREST)



  A forest is a kind of vegetation consisting mainly of woody plants (trees) which form canopies. It can also be defined as an extensive community of plants dominated by tall trees. The rainforest is the dominant Forest in Nigeria. Of all the biomes in the world, forest biomes are the most widespread and the most diverse.                    

There are three main forest biomes of the world:

1. Tropical Rainforest
2. Temperate Deciduous forest
3. Coniferous forest

 CHARACTERISTICS OF RAINFOREST

1. Presence of trees with broad leaves

2. Trees possess buttress roots

3. Presence of climbers and epiphytes on trees

PLANTS IN THE FOREST AND THEIR ADAPTIVE FEATURES

            Iroko Tree

  1.   – Deep roots to absorb water and support its tall structure.

  2. Climbing Plants (e.g., Liana)
      – Long stems to climb tall trees and reach sunlight.

  3. Ferns
      – Large leaves to capture sunlight under the forest shade.

 ANIMALS IN THE FOREST AND ADAPTIVE FEATURES

A.  MONKEYS

 1. Possession of prehensile tails and long limbs for climbing trees and jumping from tree branch to tree branch

B. BATS

 1. Fore limbs and hind limbs are joined on either side of the body by a fold of skin to form wings used for flight.

 FOOD CHAIN IN THE FOREST

1. Green plants → Grasshoppers → Toads → Hawks

2. Green plants → Monkeys → Lions

 FACTORS AFFECTING THE FOREST

  1. Deforestation – Cutting down trees for timber, farming, or development reduces forest cover.

  2. Climate Change Alters rainfall and temperature, affecting forest health and species.

  3. Wildfires – Natural or human-caused fires can destroy large forest areas.

  4. Soil Quality – Poor or degraded soil affects tree growth and biodiversity.

  5. Illegal Logging and Poaching – Reduce tree populations and threaten wildlife.


ASSESSMENT:

1. Define a forest

2. Highlight the characteristics of a forest

3. State the strata in the forest

4. Mention examples of plants and animals found in the forest and state their adaptive features


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