Homing and Migrationppt - year13bio归巢和migrationppt - year13bio.ppt

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Homing and Migration Year 13 2012 Homing Homing is the return of an individual to its home site. Animals leave their homes to find food, mates etc, and return for shelter, feeding of young etc. Environmental cues such as light, chemicals, magnetism and visual landmarks are used to find the home base. A young albatross may leave the nest and not return for 8-9 years. It then returns to the same spot to find a mate and breed. An albatross returns to the same nesting spot each breeding season to breed with the same mate. Albatross Migration Regular, annual or seasonal mass movements made by animals from their breeding area to another area. ‘True migration’ – the animal makes a return trip, back to the original breeding grounds. ‘One-way migration’ – often occurs when habitat deteriorates or food source is depleted. Eastern bar-tailed godwits One exceptional long-distance migrant makes the journey from the Arctic without any stopovers. The eastern bar-tailed godwit makes a record-breaking non-stop flight over the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to New Zealand. This journey of 11,000 kilometres takes six to eight days and nights of continuous flight, averaging over 60 kilometres per hour. The departure is timed to gain assistance from favourable winds. The birds arrive exhausted and weighing less than half their original weight. They remain for around five months before making the return journey along the western edge of the Pacific. Why migrate? Enables the animal to live in a warm environment with good food supply all year. However, there are advantages and disadvantages. Advantages Animals remain in a favourable temperature They grow larger Constant food supply May lead to the colonisation of a new area. Reduces predation and disease from parasites Greater genetic mixing Better breeding conditions Disadvantages May get lost or caught in a storm May get eaten May use too much energy and become exhausted May starve