STRUCTURAL ADAPTATIONS
PLANTSEVERGREEN TREES (CONIFERS) (Yellowstone examples: Pines, Spruces and Firs ie. Lodgepole pine, Douglas-Fir and Engelmann Spruce): Evergreen conifers have adapted the shape of their leaves and general form to aid in water retention and photosynthesis during the cold winters of the North. Tress need water to survive and to do photosynthesis for energy. Evergreens have the adaptation of keeping their leaves so that they are constantly exposed to light for photosynthesis. However, there comes a point, even for evergreens, where the weather becomes so cold and water is less available, that they experience dormancy, and wait until water is more accessible to photosynthesise. Scientists have found that conifer needles are actually regular leaves that are rolled up very tightly. This adaptation of needles allows for a reduction in water loss, as the stomata aren't as exposed. Additionally, needles are coated in wax, which further help retain water.
DOUGLAS-FIR (PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII VAR. GLAUCA) : Young Douglas-Fir(Rocky Mountain) have thin, grey, photosynthetic and resin-filled bark that is more succeptible to fire damage. However, at around 40 years, the Fir develops a thick (3-6cm) and cork-like bark that protects the cambium from heat damage. Douglas-Firs live up to 1500 years, and so the thick, protective bark sees the tree through centuries of medium-severity fires. The fire scars that the tree may develop do not lead to death, and so study of fire ecology is made easy with the Douglas-Fir populations as they display age-long markings.
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ANIMALSSNOWSHOE HARES: The snowshoe hare protects itself from predators by seasonal camouflage. This adaptation sees the hare with a snow-white coat during winter, and a reddish-brown one when the snow season passes. Additionally, to aid with survival during the winter and for foraging and running through snow, the snowshoe hare, complimentary to it's name, has larger, furier hind-legs with larger toes than other hares. This helps the animal walk over deep snow, and acts as a 'weapon' of defence to kick predators.
WOLVERINE: Wolverine are very well adapted for the winter climate of Yellowstone, and due to their scavenger-like existence, have no trouble surviving the winters. With many adaptations such as thick fur, broad paws and a wide body, the wolverine is able to stay warm during the winter. It's broad and fury paws also help it travel across the snow to hunt food. It has extremely strong and sharp claws and teeth which enable it to climb frozen and rocky areas and tear apart frozen and fresh meat, even crunching up bones. It's ability to eat frozen meat means it can store food in snow or even eat prey that have fallen to the cold and are frozen.
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