Cambridge Primary Stage 5 Science Notes – Ecosystems

🌿 ECOSYSTEMS – Detailed Notes

5Be.01 – How plants and animals are adapted to hot, cold, wet, and dry environments

Organisms develop adaptations that help them survive and reproduce in their environments. These adaptations can be:

• Structural (physical features)

• Behavioural (what the organism does)

• Physiological (internal functions)

Below are adaptations for different types of environments.

Adaptations for Hot, Dry Environments (e.g., Deserts)

🌵 Plants (e.g., cactus)

• Thick, waxy skin to reduce water loss

• Spines instead of leaves to reduce surface area

• Stems store water

• Shallow, widespread roots to soak water quickly

• Open stomata at night to reduce evaporation

🦎 Animals (e.g., camels, desert foxes)

• Large ears for heat loss

• Light-coloured fur reflects sunlight

• Ability to survive with little water

• Camels store fat in their humps, which can be used for energy and water

• Nocturnal behaviour to avoid heat

Adaptations for Cold Environments (e.g., Arctic)

❄️ Plants

• Small, low-growing to avoid being damaged by wind

• Dark leaves to absorb more heat

• Grow slowly and reproduce quickly during short summers

🐻 Animals (e.g., polar bears, arctic foxes)

• Thick fur and fat layers for insulation

• White fur for camouflage

• Small ears to reduce heat loss

• Hibernation (some animals) to survive winter

Adaptations for Wet Environments (e.g., Rainforests)

🌱 Plants

• Large leaves to catch more sunlight

• Drip tips to allow water to run off

• Tall tree trunks to reach sunlight

• Buttress roots for support in shallow soil

🦜 Animals

• Bright colours for communication or camouflage among leaves

• Strong limbs for climbing

• Beaks adapted for fruit, insects, or nuts

Adaptations for Aquatic (Very Wet) Environments

🪷 Plants (e.g., water lilies)

• Air spaces in leaves to help them float

• Waxy coating to repel water

• Roots anchored in muddy soil

🐬 Animals

• Streamlined bodies for swimming

• Fins/flippers for movement

• Lungs or gills depending on species

Table: Summary of Adaptations

5Be.02 – How flowering plants attract pollinators & promote seed dispersal

Flowering plants rely on pollinators (insects, birds, bats) and seed dispersal to reproduce successfully. They have special adaptations for both.

🌸 How Plants Attract Pollinators

Special examples:

• Red flowers attract birds

• Night-blooming flowers with strong scents attract moths and bats

🍎 Adaptations for Seed Dispersal

Plants adapt their fruits and seeds so they can spread far away.

Wind Dispersal

• Seeds are light

• Have wings or parachutes (e.g., dandelion, sycamore)

Animal Dispersal

• Bright, juicy fruits eaten by animals; seeds pass through digestive system

• Hooks or spikes cling to fur (e.g., burdock)

Water Dispersal

• Seeds can float (e.g., coconuts)

Explosion (Mechanical) Dispersal

• Pods dry and burst open, scattering seeds (e.g., pea plants)

Table: Seed Dispersal Methods

5Be.03 – Common Adaptations of Predators and Prey

Animals often have special adaptations depending on whether they are predators (hunters) or prey (animals that are hunted).

🦁 Predator Adaptations

Predators need to catch and kill prey. Their adaptations include:

• Sharp teeth and claws for hunting

• Forward-facing eyes for judging distance

• Camouflage for stealth

• Fast running speed or strong muscles

• Excellent hearing or vision

• Silent movement (e.g., owls)

🐇 Prey Adaptations

Prey animals must avoid being eaten. Their adaptations include:

• Camouflage to blend into surroundings

• Eyes on the sides of the head for wide vision

• Fast running or jumping

• Herd behaviour for protection

• Warning colours or poison (some species)

• Playing dead (behavioural)

Table: Predator vs Prey Adaptations