What is Adaptation?
Adaptations are special features or habits that help an organism survive in its specific habitat. These changes happen over a very long period.
1. Adaptation in Deserts (Hot & Dry)
The Camel:
- Long legs: Keep the body away from the hot sand.
- Hump: Stores food (fat) to survive when food is scarce.
- Broad hooves: Prevent sinking into loose sand.
- Physiology: Excretes dry dung, very little urine, and does not sweat to save water.
Desert Plants (Cactus):
- Leaves: Reduced to spines to prevent water loss.
- Stem: Green and fleshy to perform photosynthesis and store water.
- Roots: Go very deep to find water.
2. Adaptation in Mountains (Cold & Windy)
Mountain Trees (Deodar, Pine):
- Shape: Conical (cone-shaped).
- Branches: Sloping, so snow slides off easily.
- Leaves: Needle-like to reduce water loss and withstand wind.
Mountain Animals (Snow Leopard, Yak, Goat):
- Thick fur/skin: Protects from extreme cold.
- Strong hooves: Help in running up rocky slopes (Mountain Goat).
3. Adaptation in Water (Aquatic)
Fish:
- Streamlined body: Shape tapers at both ends (like a boat) to cut through water easily.
- Fins & Tail: Help in balance and changing direction.
- Gills: To breathe oxygen dissolved in water.
- Scales: Slippery scales protect the body.
Biodiversity Conservation
Human activities like cutting forests and polluting water destroy habitats. This leads to a loss of biodiversity.
- Sacred Groves: Traditionally protected forest patches in India (e.g., in Western Ghats) where no cutting or hunting is allowed.
- Project Tiger (1973): Launched by the Govt. of India to protect the Bengal Tiger.
- Cheetah Reintroduction (2022): Bringing Cheetahs back to India.
Warning
Save Nature: We must protect habitats to ensure plants and animals do not become extinct like the Dodo.