Diversity In The Living World
BY K SANDEEP SWAMY
Introduction
A nature walk is a fun way for students to explore the
amazing variety of plants and animals in their environment.
Guided by experts like Dr. Raghu, a scientist, and Maniram
chacha, a local expert on nature, students learn about
different species and the importance of respecting all living
things. This experience helps students appreciate the
natural world.
Diversity in Plants and Animals Around Us
Look around you. How do the leaves of different plants
look? Are they all the same, or are they different shapes
and colors? Do you see any birds? What are their colors
and sizes? Can you hear any interesting bird sounds?
Diversity means the variety of living things in a specific
place. It's about how many different plants and animals live
there and how they are different from each other.
Diversity In Plants
Tall
Some plants, like mango
trees, grow very tall and
have strong trunks.
Short
Other plants, like rose
bushes, are much shorter
and closer to the ground.
Hard
Plants like the banyan tree
have hard, woody stems for
support.
Soft
Smaller plants like mint
have soft, green stems that
are flexible.
Diversity In Animals
Local Name
The specific name of the animal you
are observing. It could be in your local
language or the common name used
in your area. For example, a "dog,"
"cat," or "sparrow."
Habitat
The environment where the animal
lives. Some animals live on land, like
in forests or fields, while others might
live in water, like rivers or ponds.
Some animals even live in the air, like
birds that build nests in trees.
Diet
What kind of food does this animal eat
to stay healthy? Different animals
have different diets. Some eat plants,
like grass or leaves, while others might
eat meat or insects. Some animals eat
a mix of both.
What Is Biodiversity?
What does biodiversity refer to?
Biodiversity is the variety of different plants, animals, and
other living organisms found in a particular region. For
example, trees provide food and shelter for birds and
animals, and animals help spread seeds by eating fruits.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of different plants, animals, and
other living organisms found in a particular region or
environment. For Example, trees offer food and shelter to
certain birds and animals, while animals aid in seed
dispersal by consuming fruits, and so on.
A. The variety of different plants, animals, and other living organisms in a particular area.
B. The study of rocks and minerals in a specific environment.
C. The different types of buildings and structures in a city.
D. The variety of weather patterns in a region.
View Solution How To Group Plants And Animals?
Grouping
Can you find a group of plants or animals that have something in common? For example, do any of them have similar
colors, shapes, or sizes?
Grouping plants and animals makes it easier to study and understand their vast diversity. It helps us identify, compare, and
classify them. It also helps us understand evolutionary relationships and ecological roles.
How to group Plants?
Based On Height
Grouping plants helps us understand their characteristics. Here are some ways to group them:
Trees are tall plants with hard, thick stems. Their branches usually start higher up on the stem, away from the ground.
An example of a tree is the mango tree.
Shrubs are not as tall as trees. They have many brown woody stems that start branching close to the ground. An
example of a shrub is the rose plant.
Herbs are typically small plants with soft and green stems. An example of a herb is the tomato plant.
Climbers are plants with weak stems that need support to climb and grow. Creepers are plants that grow by creeping
along the ground.
Based On Stems:
Stems
Hard Stem: Some plants have very hard and tough stems. This is usually found in trees and shrubs. It helps the plant
stand firm and survive in different weather conditions.
Soft Stem: Some plants have soft and green stems. These stems are not as strong as hard stems and are usually
found in smaller plants like flowers, herbs, and vegetables.
Based On Branches:
Branches
Close to the Ground: Branches that start growing near the base of the stem, like in shrubs.
Higher up on the Stem: Branches that begin higher up on the stem, away from the ground, like in trees.
Based On Leaves:
Leaves
Leaves can have different shapes and sizes. For example, the broad leaves of a mango tree are different from the thin
leaves of grass. Leaves have veins that provide support and transport water and nutrients. The pattern of these veins is
called venation.
Reticulate Venation: Veins form a network, common in dicot plants like hibiscus and peepal.
Parallel Venation: Veins run parallel to each other, common in monocot plants like grass and wheat.
Based On Roots:
Roots
Roots are the parts of a plant that grow underground and help the plant stay anchored in the soil. There are two main types
of roots:
Taproots: These roots have one main root that grows straight down with smaller side roots branching off from it. An
example of a taproot is the mustard plant or hibiscus.
Fibrous Roots: These roots are a bunch of thin, similar-sized roots that spread out from the base of the stem. An
example of fibrous roots is the grass plant.
Based On Seeds:
Seeds
Seeds are the small parts of a plant that can grow into a new plant. There are two main types of seeds based on the
number of cotyledons (the first leaves that appear from the seed):
Dicotyledons (Dicots): These seeds have two cotyledons, which can be split into two parts. An example of a dicot
seed is a chickpea. Plants with dicot seeds usually have reticulate venation (a net-like pattern of veins on the leaves)
and a taproot system.
Monocotyledons (Monocots): These seeds have a single, thin cotyledon. An example of a monocot seed is maize
(corn). Plants with monocot seeds typically have parallel venation (veins running parallel on the leaves) and a fibrous
root system.
Grouping Animals
Movement
Grouping animals helps us study their behavior and characteristics. Here are some ways to group them:
Flying: Animals that use wings to move through the air, like birds.
Running/Walking: Animals that use legs to run or walk on the ground, like dogs and horses.
Crawling: Animals that move by crawling on their bodies, like snakes.
Hopping/Jumping: Animals that hop or jump using their legs, like frogs and rabbits.
These categories help us understand and organize animals based on their movement and the body parts they use to move.
Plants and Animals in Different Surroundings
Desert
Adaptations are special
features or behaviors that
help plants and animals
survive in their specific
surroundings. These
adaptations make it easier
for them to find food, stay
safe, and live in their
environment. For example:
Camels have long legs
and humps that store
fat, helping them survive
in the hot desert.
Fish have fins and gills,
allowing them to swim
and breathe underwater.
Cacti have thick stems
to store water and
spines instead of leaves
to reduce water loss in
the desert.
Adaptations are like
nature's way of making sure
every living thing has what it
needs to live where it does.
Mountains
Plant: Deodar trees with
a conical shape and
sloping branches that
allow snow to slide off
easily, helping them
survive in cold, snowy
regions.
Animal: Mountain goats
that are adapted to the
cold and rocky terrain,
allowing them to move
easily on steep ground.
Ocean
Plant: Seaweed and
other marine plants that
thrive.
Animals: Fish with
streamlined bodies and
fins that help them swim
through the water.
Forest
Plant: Various trees like
the bamboo, which grow
tall and provide shelter
to many animals.
Animal: Lions, which
live and hunt in dense
forests.
Rhododendron
Rhododendrons are plants
that produce beautiful bright
flowers. They can be found
in different regions and may
look different depending on
where they grow.
For example, in the
Shola forests of Nilgiris,
rhododendrons are
shorter with smaller
leaves, which helps
them survive the strong
winds on mountain tops.
In contrast, in the
mountains of Sikkim,
rhododendrons are
taller. These differences
help the plant adapt to
the specific conditions of
each region.
Adaptations
Adaptations
Adaptations are special features or behaviors that help plants and animals survive in their specific surroundings. These
adaptations make it easier for them to find food, stay safe, and live in their environment. For example: •Camels have long
legs and humps that store fat, helping them survive in the hot desert.
•Fish have fins and gills, allowing them to swim and breathe underwater.
•Cacti have thick stems to store water and spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss in the desert.
Adaptations are like nature's way of making sure every living thing has what it needs to live where it does.
Habitats
Terrestrial (Land-based) Habitats:
A habitat is the natural environment where a plant or animal lives, providing the necessary conditions for survival, such as
food, water, shelter, and space. Different plants and animals are adapted to live in specific habitats that suit their needs.
Forests: Dense areas with a variety of trees and wildlife. Examples include tropical rainforests with species like tigers,
monkeys, and a wide variety of trees and plants.
Deserts: Dry areas with sparse vegetation and specialized animals. Examples include cacti, camels, and snakes
adapted to conserve water and withstand high temperatures.
Grasslands: Open areas with grasses and few trees. Examples include zebras, lions, and grasses that can survive with
less water.
</