Wells Community Academy High School Biology - Home



5257800-22860000To Plant or Not to Plant?Directions: Go to the class webpage: biologyrecovery.Click on link for To Plant or Not to PlantResearch each plant and complete the graphic organizer for their ideal growing conditions.Next, Enter Mission to determine biomes. Add any additional notes in the notes section.ClimatePlantType of Soil Needed?Temperature Needed?Amount of Water Needed?BIOMENotesOrchidBluestem GrassesFlowering DogwoodCreosote BushSaguaro CactusSpruceLichenA saguaro cactus?(Carnegiea gigantca)?has a smooth, waxy skin that seals in moisture. Cacti expand by absorbing water when it is available and shrink as they lose water slowly during times of drought. The saguaro cactus flowers every year and can have up to 200 blooms. It can withstand high temperatures, but cannot survive temperatures below freezing.The creosote bush?(Larrea tridentata)?is a medium-sized evergreen shrub. It has small pointed green leaves with a waxy coating. These leaves have adapted to conserve water and survive high temperatures. The creosote bush competes aggressively with other plants for water in the soil and grows well in dry conditions. It can survive temperature fluctuations of 21°C from day to night.The flowering dogwood?(Cornus florida)?is a deciduous tree, meaning that it loses its leaves in the winter. In early spring, the dogwood produces white or pink petals, and in late spring it has red berries. It grows best in moist soil, and does not handle drought well. The flowering dogwood will not survive a climate where the temperature regularly drops below -26°C.Bluestem grasses?(Andropogon gerardi)?are warm season grasses. They are very leafy at the base with some leaves on the stem. They are commonly known as "Turkey Foot Grass" because the seed heads branch out resembling the foot of a turkey. Bluestem grasses have adapted to moderately well-drained to excessively-drained soils. They thrive in warm temperatures and moderate amounts of rain. They tolerate harsh conditions and are found in both moist and dry open spaces. During the cold winters they turn brown and go dormant.Lichens are unlike any other organism on earth. Their structure is unique: a symbiosis of two organisms — a fungus and algae. Lichens are not plants, so they do not produce seeds. Lichens can survive in some of the most barren and severe regions of the world. They tolerate extreme cold and dry conditions through dormancy and the ability to recover quickly when conditions are favorable. Although lichens can grow in regions with more rainfall, they actually require little rainfall to survive.Orchids are a type of epiphyte (a plant that grows on another plant). They typically grow on tree trunks or branches, and rely on the tree for support, but not food. Orchids require a constant warm temperature and humid air. They also require lots of water to build up in the hollows of tree branches and bark where they live for their roots to absorb. They grow very slowly and cannot withstand dry spells or temperature fluctuations.The spruce?(Picea)?is an evergreen with short, blue-green, waxy leaves called needles. The waxy coating on the needles helps evergreen trees conserve water during the very cold winters where they live, when soil water is frozen and not available for the trees to use. The spruce is a conifer, which means that it produces seed cones instead of flowers. It grows slowly and is easily killed by fire. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download