The life cycle of plants can vary greatly. Some plants complete their life cycle in a matter of days, while others take hundreds of years.

• Annuals: Plants that complete their life cycle within one year.

• Perennials: Plants that take more than one season to grow, often over two or three years.

• Woody Plants (Trees & Shrubs): These can take many years to mature and can live for centuries.

Plant growth 

Many plants start their life as seeds—small pods containing DNA, encased in a protective shell. However, not all plants begin this way. Some grow from spores, which are cells with thick walls that can withstand harsh environments. Other plants grow from tubers (such as potatoes, taro, or sweet potato), bulbs (such as tulips, daffodils, or iris), or rhizomes (such as ginger, turmeric, or bamboo).

Regardless of their origin, all plants need nutrients to grow. As plants mature, their need for food increases, and they spread their roots, leaves, stalks, and tendrils to collect as much energy as possible. Leaves spread upwards to catch sunlight, which they convert into energy through photosynthesis.

Plants such as seaweed grow towards the surface of the water to be closer to the sun. Roots collect water and nutrients from the soil, and some plants even trap and consume animals to meet their nutritional needs.

Photosynthesis

As trees grow, they shoot branches and produce canopies of leaves. Many plants and trees also produce flowers. Flowers can be beautiful to look at and smell, but they have a key role in the life cycle of the plant. Flowers provide plants with a way of reproducing. Flowers can contain pollen which is needed to fertilise other plants. Birds and insects, like bees, help to transfer pollen from one plant to another. 

Plant Reproduction and Decomposition

When plants die, their trunks and branches provide shelter and food for animals and insects. Depending on the environment, fallen trees will provide an opportunity for moss, fungi, and other plants to sprout. Eventually, the plant will be broken down by decomposers, returning nutrients and minerals to the soil so that future plants can have food and energy as they grow.

Like plants, animals have varying life cycles. Some animals, like insects, have very short lifespans, while others, like reptiles, take years to mature.

• Insects: Some species, like the mayfly, live only for a few days or hours.

• Reptiles: Larger reptiles, such as tortoises, may take up to 20 years to reach adulthood and can live for over 200 years.

Notable Animal Lifespan Example

The Saltwater Crocodile, the largest living reptile, can live up to 70 years in the wild. These crocodiles mature at around 14-16 years of age.

The Role of Animals in Ecosystems

Animals help balance ecosystems by feeding on other animals, cleaning the environment, and aiding plant growth by transporting seeds and fertilising the ground with their droppings.

When animals die, their bodies provide nutrients for the plants and animals in their environment.