Design a Plant Challenge Your Challenge: Design a plant for the future! Explore our Biomes to discover the neat tricks plants have evolved to help them live, thrive and survive in their habitat. Then use what you ve learned to design a plant of your own. KS3 Before you go: Label the drawing to show what essentials plants need to grow: You are going to explore 1) the Rainforest Biome 2) the Mediterranean Biome Join the description to the correct picture: 1) Rainforest Biome 2) Mediterranean Biome Always hot Rains nearly every day Winters can be chilly Only 2% of sunlight reaches the ground Summer droughts High summer temperatures 1
The Rainforest Biome Use the map of the biome together with the grid references and picture clues to help you find the plants and answer the questions as you walk around. Look at the cartoons. Use them to help you explain why the Rainforest can be a tough place to live. 1) Traveller s Palm (grid reference 157 492) Estimate the length of the largest leaf. Touch the leaves (gently). Describe how they feel and explain how this is useful to the plant. (If you can t reach the Traveller s palm, use one of the plants nearby!) 2) Banyan Tree (grid reference 144 487) Can you see the roots which are growing down towards the ground (positively gravitropic). How does this help the plant to survive? 3) Bismarck Palm (grid reference 145 497) How are the huge leaves adapted so that rainwater runs off? Look at the roof of the Malaysian house to give you a clue. 2
4) Drip Tips (found throughout the Rainforest Biome) Pointy drip tips encourage rainwater to run off the leaves. Draw and label two examples of leaves with drip tips. 5) From the Canopy Walkway Look down on Eden s canopy. How is being tall, growing quickly and being flexible useful to a rainforest plant? 6) Cocoa (grid reference 160 502) The newest leaves on the cocoa trees look floppy and dead - how might this help the tree?. 7) Rattans (grid reference 172 503) Rattans are a family of spiky, climbing palms. Look carefully to find the rattan climbing up the other palms. (look behind the large stump and up the rock face). Think of two ways the spikes help the plant to survive. 1) 2) 8) Pitcher Plants (grid reference180 485) Explain how pitcher plants ensure they receive enough nutrients.
The Mediterranean Biome Long, hot, dry summers make life tough for plants. Use the map of the biome together with the grid references and picture clues to help you follow the trail and find out how they cope. Plants take in water through their roots and lose water through tiny holes in their leaves called stomata. What process takes place in plants leaves that needs water? Water also stops plants from wilting. 1) Olive (grid reference 208 470) Describe the olive leaves and explain how these features help the plant to survive. 2) Broom (grid reference 235 467) Some plants, like this broom, have lost their leaves altogether. How is the broom able to photosynthesise without leaves? 3) Silver Tree (grid reference 245 463) The silver colour is caused by pale hairs on the leaves. Explain how this survival strategy works. The pictures below are a clue. 4
4) Cape Aloe (grid reference 247 455 the large spiky plant on the corner) The Cape Aloe is a succulent - it stores water in case of drought. Draw an aloe. Label your picture to show: 1) Where this plant stores its water. 2) How aloe protects its water from predators. 5) Cork (grid reference 227 454) Pick up and feel the pieces of cork bark. Describe it. The cork acts like a fire blanket protecting the heart of the tree from the flames. 6) African Hemp (grid reference 205 454) Carefully stroke the leaves of the African Hemp. How do they feel? How do you think this helps the plant cope with dry conditions? 7) Herbs and Aromatic plants (grid reference 205 462) Sniff out some smelly plants - you can rub the leaves gently to make the smell stronger. Think of two ways smell can be useful to a plant.
Back from the Biomes? Look at the front of this sheet to remind yourself of your challenge. Summarise what you have found out: H O T Rainforest Biome Typical plant adaptations: W E T S H A D Y Mediterranean Biome Typical plant adaptations: H O T D R Y F I R E Back at School Scientists believe that our climate is changing. What do you think our future climate will be like? You can do some research to support your ideas. Now design a plant for the future. It must be; adapted to its climate useful to humans have a name Send us your design. Each term one lucky winner will receive a prize from the Eden shop. Be sure to include your name, your school's name, your address and age. Send designs to: The Schools Team Design a Plant Challenge Eden Project Bodelva Cornwall PL24 2SG