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What types of adaptations are present in organisms that live on land?

Dandylion
Seeds that are spread by the wind are an adaptation that land plants use for reproduction.
Now that you've compared the abiotic factors that characterize both terrestrial and aquatic biomes, it's time to look at the plants and animals that live on land. An adaptation can be defined as a quality that a living organism has that helps it survive in its environment. It makes sense that adaptations vary between biomes; organisms that live in the desert would not survive long in the Arctic! However, there are a few adaptations that are common to many organisms in terrestrial biomes.

Use this slideshow to learn about some adaptations common to many organisms that live in terrestrial biomes.

Water Loss

The single largest problem for plants and animals living in terrestrial biomes is the loss of water. Water evaporates from plants during transpiration and is exhaled from animals during respiration (breathing.) Because so much of an organism's cells is made of water, that water must be replaced, or if possible, not lost at all. For example, the cactus shown here has an adaption of a thick, waxy outer layer that helps prevent the water in its cells from evaporating.

Reproduction

Bird Eggs

For many marine organisms, sperm and egg are brought together by water. However, terrestrial animals and plants need another way to reproduce. Land plants have adapted to use mechanisms like seeds and fruit formed by sperm-bearing pollen brought to the egg by wind. Land animals have adapted by mating in specific ways, including internal fertilization, to bring sperm and egg together.

Movement

Cheeta

Terrestrial animals don't have the luxury of fins to move them from place to place, nor can they be carried by the flow of water. Therefore, almost all terrestrial animals have adapted specific ways to move through their biomes, whether they run with paws, slither on their abdomens, or fly through the air.

Respiration

Woman BReathing

Gas exchange is important to both plants and animals. Terrestrial plants and animals have adaptations that enable them to take in gas (oxygen for animals, carbon dioxide for plants,) from the atmosphere. Animals have a respiratory system, including lungs, while plants exchange gases through openings in their leaves.

Question

What are some adaptations that humans have for living on land?

Humans have skin that prevents water loss and a complex excretory system that includes kidneys to regulate the amount of water in our bodies. We have legs and arms for movement, lungs for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide, and reproduction organs for internal fertilization.