Natural Habitats | Jamb Biology
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Prepare Your Heart and Mind for Success. Let not your heart be troubled but be steadfast and diligent, for
the knowledge you seek is like a treasure hidden in a field, waiting to be uncovered through your effort. As
the good servant prepares for the master’s return, so should you prepare for your exam, making use of every
opportunity to study. Blessed are those who persevere, for they shall reap the fruits of their labor in due
season!
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In this post, you will be exposed to substantial number of points and summaries from the topic
Natural Habitats which was extracted from the Jamb syllabus.
I would advice you pay attention to each of the point as you go through them.
Happy learning.
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Aquatic Habitats: Ponds, Streams, Lakes, Seashores, and Mangrove Swamps
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Ponds
- Definition: A small, shallow freshwater habitat.
- Plants: Duckweed (floating), water lilies (rooted with floating leaves).
- Animals: Frogs (amphibians), dragonfly larvae (insects), fish like guppies.
- Adaptive Features:
- Plants: Broad leaves for floating and photosynthesis.
- Animals: Webbed feet in frogs for swimming.
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Streams
- Definition: Flowing freshwater habitats with varying currents.
- Plants: Algae (attached to rocks), mosses.
- Animals: Trout (fish), freshwater crabs, mayfly larvae.
- Adaptive Features:
- Fish: Streamlined bodies to reduce resistance to currents.
- Crabs: Claws for anchoring on rocks.
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Lakes
- Definition: Large, still freshwater bodies.
- Plants: Submerged plants like hydrilla, emergent plants like reeds.
- Animals: Tilapia (fish), otters, snails.
- Adaptive Features:
- Fish: Gills for underwater breathing.
- Plants: Flexible stems to withstand water movement.
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Seashores and Mangrove Swamps
- Seashores: Coastal areas with tidal influences.
- Plants: Seaweeds, salt-tolerant grasses.
- Animals: Crabs, barnacles, sea turtles.
- Adaptive Features:
- Barnacles: Hard shells for protection against waves.
- Sea turtles: Flippers for swimming.
- Mangrove Swamps: Coastal wetlands with saline or brackish water.
- Plants: Mangrove trees (with aerial roots).
- Animals: Mudskippers (amphibious fish), mangrove crabs.
- Adaptive Features:
- Plants: Pneumatophores for gas exchange in waterlogged soils.
- Mudskippers: Ability to breathe through skin and gills.
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Terrestrial/Arboreal Habitats
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Tree-Tops (Arboreal Habitat)
- Definition: Habitats in the canopy or branches of trees.
- Plants: Orchids (epiphytes), mosses.
- Animals: Monkeys, parrots, chameleons.
- Adaptive Features:
- Monkeys: Prehensile tails for gripping branches.
- Orchids: Roots adapted to absorb moisture from the air.
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Abandoned Farmland, Dry Grasslands, and Burrows
- Abandoned Farmland: Areas left to natural succession.
- Plants: Grasses, shrubs.
- Animals: Rodents, grasshoppers, snakes.
- Adaptive Features:
- Rodents: Strong incisors for gnawing.
- Grasses: Deep roots to access water.
- Dry Grasslands (Savanna): Open fields with scattered trees.
- Plants: Acacia trees, drought-resistant grasses.
- Animals: Lions, zebras, meerkats.
- Adaptive Features:
- Lions: Camouflage and sharp teeth for predation.
- Grasses: Narrow leaves to reduce water loss.
- Burrows: Underground shelters for animals.
- Examples: Rabbits, earthworms, snakes.
- Adaptive Features:
- Rabbits: Strong limbs for digging.
- Earthworms: Moist skin for respiration.
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Associating Organisms and Adaptations
- Adaptations to Water: Webbed feet, streamlined bodies, gills.
- Adaptations to Tides: Hard shells, ability to cling to rocks.
- Adaptations to Heat: Deep roots, waxy leaves, nocturnal behavior.
- Adaptations to Cold: Fur, hibernation, antifreeze proteins in fish.
- Adaptations to Light: Broad leaves for photosynthesis in low-light habitats.
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Distribution of Organisms in Habitats
- Aquatic Plants: Found in lakes, ponds, and mangroves due to their ability to tolerate waterlogged soils.
- Terrestrial Animals: Found in grasslands, tree-tops, and burrows where resources like food and shelter are abundant.
- Arboreal Organisms: Limited to tree canopies for access to food (e.g., fruits) and safety from predators.
- Burrowing Animals: Found in areas with soft soils for easy digging.
- Grassland Plants: Adapted to survive with minimal rainfall and nutrient-poor soils.
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Interdependence in Habitats
- Producers and Consumers: Grass supports herbivores like zebras, which in turn support predators like lions.
- Pollinators: Birds and bees depend on flowering plants for nectar, aiding in plant reproduction.
- Decomposers: Fungi and bacteria recycle nutrients, enriching soils in farmlands and grasslands.
- Herbivore Predation: Predators like snakes control rodent populations in farmlands.
- Soil Organisms: Earthworms improve soil fertility, supporting plant growth.
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Ecosystem Stability
- Human Impact: Deforestation, pollution, and urbanization disrupt habitats.
- Climate Influence: Temperature and rainfall dictate the types of organisms in a habitat.
- Resource Availability: Determines species distribution (e.g., water sources attract animals in savannas).
- Competition: Limits the number of organisms a habitat can support.
- Seasonal Changes: Migration and hibernation are responses to resource fluctuations.
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Ecosystem Dynamics
- Role of Water Bodies: Provide breeding grounds and food for aquatic species.
- Mangroves: Act as nurseries for fish and buffer zones against storms.
- Grasslands: Support large herds of grazing animals due to abundant grasses.
- Tree-Tops: Offer safety and food for arboreal species.
- Burrows: Protect animals from predators and extreme weather.
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After publishing this post I have this feeling that whoever study this post sincerely will come back to "share testimony"
about their Jamb UTME score. If you are a prospective Jambite and you think this post is resourceful enough, I
enjoin you to express your view in the comment box below. I wish you success ahead. Remember to also give your
feedback on how you think we can keep improving our blog posts.
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I recommend you check my Post on the following:
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- Biology Tutorial on 'Local (Nigerian) Biomes' for Jamb(UTME Candidates)
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This is all we can take on "Jamb Biology Tutorial on Natural Habitats for UTME Candidates"
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