Plant Adaptations

Plants are found in nearly every ecosystem on Earth! This video introduces students to the different ways that plants have developed adaptations to best survive in different ecosystems. Connecting back to plant needs, we explore desert and rainforest ecosystems as two examples of extreme water and light differences that make leaf shape, size, and water storage all essential for plants in these areas. Students will explore the differences between native plants, introduced - or exotic plants - and when these plants become invasive to the ecosystems around them through introduction into similar climates but different geographical locations. Finally, the video closes with briefly exploring modern plant science and how plant adaptations are developed rapidly for commercial uses such as agriculture.
This video also accompanies Lesson 3 of the Plants, People and Climate Change resource, which investigates Climate Change and its solutions through the lens of plants and soil. Find the resource here: www.littlegree...