The Electromagnetic Spectrum:
Low light intensity may make it more stressful for organisms to fulfil niches within their habitat. However many organisms do in fact inhabit habitats with low light intensity, so how do they tolerate the stresses and have any organisms adapted to exploit low light intensity to their advantage?
Many organisms throughout the earth have adapted to tolerate the stresses that arise due to low light intensity in many different ways. Some Epiphytes for example are able to tolerate low level irradiance, this is due to the numerous anatomical, morphological and behavioral adaptations, some of which are discussed later, that they have, and are able, to utilize. Some organisms however, such as the Stoplight Losejaw (Malacosteus niger), inhabit environments where most, if not all, visible light wavelengths cannot reach, so how do they, in relation to many other organisms, tolerate the stresses that arise due to this abiotic factor? |
Light: In this context the use of the word “light” refers to the section of The Electromagnetic Spectrum that provides us with visible light. Light particles are referred to as Photons, the energy that light possesses depends on the frequency of its wavelength. In some form, light is unambiguously essential throughout almost every ecosystem. Low Light intensity, within a habitat, is a significant stress factor for the occupying organisms. In habitats where light is frequently available, plants are generally able to obtain sufficient energy, via photosynthesis, in order to support life. In addition, light also provides predatory organisms with the ability to visualize their prey, it also provides prey the ability to visualize any possible predators; making light, generally, an important abiotic factor. |