A crucial role in the life of all organisms is the temperature, habitat. To her especially sensitive so-called "cold-blooded"animals and those who can not tolerate fluctuations in the thermal regime. The body temperature of "cold-blooded" animals - all of invertebrates and lower vertebrates - depends mainly on the temperature change or water and after it. Therefore, the "cold-blooded" properly called poikilothermic, t. E. The animals with temperature changes. As for normal metabolism and implementation of all physiological processes in the body of an animal need a fairly high temperature, ground "cold-blooded" animals elect a heated portion or bask in the sun. In lizards under the action of sunlight, even at body temperature cold air can quickly rise up to 28 - 37 °, so that they at any time are "warm-blooded". The body temperature rises sharply at them and while driving. Even the fish when they swim fast, the body temperature can rise to 37 °, far exceeding the temperature of the waterThe "warm-blooded" animals - birds and mammals - the body temperature stable. It almost does not depend on the thermal regime of the environment, as their body itself produces the necessary warm and regulates its flow. Therefore, even with heavy frost (-35 -40 °) body temperature or polar fox wolf 38 - 40 °, and the temperature difference between the body and the air can be 70 ° or more. Similarly, animals and birds can regulate their body temperature and in hot weather. These devices give them a big advantage in the struggle for existence, allowing live in very harsh conditions. However, many species of mammals and birds, such as tropical and polar, can live only at a very specific temperature range and, therefore, are common in limited geographical areas of the globe.
The temperature conditions of the environment are just as important for plants. Growth and development of each of their kind are possible only under certain thermal conditions. The temperature dependent photosynthesis, transpiration, and other physiological processes, as well as metabolism within the plant. For plants, it is important not only the total amount of heat, but also its distribution in time. Seeds of many plant species is needed for normal development of the period of exposure is relatively low temperatures, which are unfavorable for adult plants. Are not the same needs in the thermal regime and in different periods of plant development, not to mention the fundamental differences between thermophilic and cold-tolerant species. Larch in the Siberian taiga carry the most severe winters, although freeze through. Cactus in the desert of North America can withstand heat up to 60-65 °.
Plants not only suffer the effect of temperature conditions and are forced to adapt to them, but they themselves are changing. Of course, the tree, even more so has little effect on the surrounding area. The situation is different plant community, especially forest plantations. Under its canopy and the temperature and the wind, and all the other elements of climate are very different from the mainstream in the neighborhood, outside edge of the forest. In summer, the dense forest is cooler and wetter winter noticeably warmer than in the field or meadow. Each plant community characterized by its own characteristic for him microclimate. It is extremely important not only for plants but also for animals living here, who find in the woods, bushes and thick grass protection from the sun, rain, strong wind, blizzard, blizzards.In the middle and high latitudes of great importance in the life of plants and animals have snow for months completely covers the ground. Due to the low heat conductivity snow cover protects well hidden beneath the vegetation and animals from severe frosts. Only thanks to the protection of snow in the winter freeze is not many plants, including winter cereals, and some do not cease to grow.