What are some examples of climatic conditions that support certain species and inhibit others?

Question

What are some examples of climatic conditions that support certain species and inhibit others?

Answer 1

Plants:

  Trees that  grow in the tropical rainforests have broad leaves with a large surface area so that they can absorb as much sunlight as possible for photosynthesis. Water is plentiful and the climate is humid and warm.

  These trees would not survive in the desert.  Cactus and other shrubs in the desert have a thick waxy layer on the outside so it prevents against water loss. Any leaves are small- with small surface areas to conserve the amount of water lost through transpiration and the heat of the day.  

  These two climates differ- one is extremely humid but has a lot of rain- the other is arid and very dry, with very very high temperatures.  If they were to switch climates, the different types of plants and trees would not be able to survive.

  

Animals:

  Polar bears are good example.  They have a thick fur couat that insulates them from the cold of the North and South poles.  Reptiles like hot weather because they are cold blooded.  They would definately not survive in the arctic- and polar bears would not survive in the desert or any place with relatively warm temperatures. (or any place that has temperatures higher than the North and South Poles)

  Almost all animals would not survive in the Arctic- whereas certain types of penguins and polar bears do.  No tropical fish would be able to live in the arctic waters either.  

  Climate change is one of the reasons why global warming is such a threat.  Polar bears are a species that cannot survive anywhere where there isn't ice.  The same with penguins.

Answer 2

How about Antarctic conditions that support penguins and orcas, and very few other species.

Or Arctic conditions that support polar bears and seals and very few other species.