Inquiry question: How do adaptations increase the organism’s ability to survive?
The four videos illustrate or explain some adaptations of species on the rock platform.
Watch the four videos. Answer the following questions in a Google Doc or Word Document. You may need to do additional research:
Life in Rock Pools: describe at least four adaptations of species described in the video
Investigating Rock Shores - Zones and Common Species: What lives in the lower littoral zone? What is a kelp holdfast? How does it help kelp survive? What are some of the microhabitats on the rocky platform? What features of microhabitats help animals and plants survive?
Triton snail with operculum: What is an operculum? How does it help marine snails survive on the rocky shore?
Neptunes Necklace in the waves: How is Neptunes Necklace adapted to movement in the waves and with the tides?
Choose one animal and one plant from the rock platform guide. Use secondary sources to research their adaptations and how they increase their ability to survive.
Create an A4 poster on each organism that describes and illustrates adaptations. Include:
Descriptions of structural, physiological and behavioural adaptations
Images or videos of the organisms
Choose one of the organisms you researched. Describe a practical investigation you could conduct to test how an adaptation increases this organism’s ability to survive.
Create your own Word or Google Doc.
Inquiry question: How do environmental pressures promote a change in species diversity and abundance?
The first video on this page, Life in Rock Pools, identifies some of the harsh conditions that species need to endure on the rocky shore. These harsh conditions have contributed to natural selection and evolution over a long period of time.
Identify some selection pressures on organisms in a rock platform environment. Include examples of biotic and abiotic factors. Choose one of the selection pressures and predict its effect on organisms in the rock platform environment.
Create your own Word or Google Doc.