WETLAND, FOREST & OTHER BIOMES

BIOMES: "A major community of living or-
ganisms; a complex of climax communities
of plants and animals in a major region."
"A major life zone, biotic formation."
"A major ecological community type."

BARK ECOLOGY, POLLINATION, WINTER
Bark--a tiny world, teeming with all kinds of unexpected organisms. The coevolution of plants and insects. Trees in winter. 3 programs. 60 slides. Detailed guides.
EP #129X SLIDES
$99.95

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SAVE OVER $27.00 ON 3 SLIDE SET BUNDLE ORDER EP #129X........$99.95
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THE TREE BARK ECOSYSTEM Order #129..........$42.50

A fascinating examination of a frequently overlooked ecosystem: the harsh
physical environment provided by the bark of living trees and the epiphytic community
there--bacteria, algae, fungi, flowering plants and invertebrates. Illustrates how careful
observation can reveal complex living communities in apparently desolate habitats. 2O
slides and detailed guide.

CONTENT SAMPLE: 27013 Moths and Cicadas. Moths and cicadas are among the
countless thousands of kinds of insects that visit the tree bark community. Moths (top) are
frequently colored in such a way as to blend in with the colors and textures of the bark surface,
an excellent camouflage against predators. In areas of heavy pollution, normally gray-barked
trees become blackened with pollutants, effectively eliminating this camouflage. A genetic variety
of gray moths, black in color, is able to exploit the dark-colored bark. Moth populations in
polluted areas have a far greater proportion of black moths than those in unpolluted regions.

Cicadas (bottom) are well-known for their unusual life histories. The nymphs of these
insects spend most of their lives below ground where they feed and grow. Some cicadas stay
underground for a few years before emerging, but one of the so-called "periodical" cicadas
remains in the subterranean habitat for 17 years. When they finally emerge from the soil cicada
nymphs climb up on trees and other vegetation, take firm hold, then shed their skin. The winged
adults remain in the trees to sing, mate and lay eggs in the only summer of their adulthood.
Cicadas are often seen on tree bark, as are the old, dried skins. Cicadas attract a number of
predators to the tree bark community.
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POLLINATION ECOLOGY Order #123..........$42.50

Details of the coevolution of insects and flowering plants, and its effect on the
diversity of flower types. Discusses pollination by wind, by nonspecific insects, and by
insects which visit only single species. The roles of flower shape, size, color and scent
in attracting particular insects are considered. Stresses ecological context in which
pollination occurs and effects of disruption (as by insecticides) of insect-flower
relationships. 20 slides and detailed guide.

CONTENT SAMPLE: 20619 Of course, it is not enough for a plant simply to attract
pollinators of specific kinds and in sufficient numbers. The plant must also ensure that pollen
transfer occurs. Most insect-pollinated angiosperms accomplish this by exposing both the
pollen-bearing anthers and the pollen-capturing stigmas (stigmata) where they will be rubbed by
an insect as it approaches the flower's nectar. Gill-over-the-ground (Glechoma hederacea), a
member of the mint family, has numerous hair-like stamens which are located at the entrance to
the flower’s central cavity, just above the petal which is used as a landing platform by pollinators.
As an insect crawls over these stamens, it gets liberally dusted with pollen which it then carries
to another similar flower. There, as it works its way into the flower, some of the pollen comes into
contact with the sticky surfaces of the stigmas which are under the edge of the top petal.

REVIEWS: "...an excellent alternative...outstanding visuals....Highly recommended."
Previews.
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WINTER BOTANY Order #244..........$42.50

A look at the characteristics used to identify deciduous trees after they have
shed their leaves. Illustrations include close-up photographs of leaf scars, buds, pith and
other morphological features. Twenty different tree species illustrated, including maple,
beech, alder hickory, walnut, etc. 20 slides and detailed guide.

CONTENT SAMPLE: 27019 Another relatively easy tree to identify in winter is the
sycamore. Sycamores can almost always be recognized by their bark (left)--it peels away in
great sheets, leaving the upper trunk and limbs clad only in a thin layer of whitish bark.

The twigs (right) are distinct as well, with the alternate leaf scars almost completely
encircling the lateral buds. These scars are caused by a leaf petiole that covers the bud during
the growing season, a so-called “hooded bud.” Occasionally the dried remains of the stipules will
cling to the twigs through the winter (top right). Sycamores lack a terminal bud. A single cap-like
scale covers each lateral bud, with each node ringed by a stipule scar.

Sycamore fruits (bottom right) are borne in stalked, pendant balls that often hang in
great numbers from mature trees.
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~0072-042~ Cicada (Tibicen sp.). photo by Charles R. Belinky, Ph.D.

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