Unit 4: Session 4: Abiotic Factors

What are abiotic factors?

The physical, nonliving components of the environment.

What major elements make up climate as an abiotic factor?

Variations in water, light, temperature, wind, and evaporation.

Why does the curvature of Earth affect climate?

It causes different solar incidence around the globe, creating temperature and light differences.

What produces global wind and ocean currents?

Uneven heating of Earth, which drives movement of air and water carrying heat and moisture.

Why are tropical rainforests located near the Equator?

Direct sunlight heats air, warm air rises with moisture, and the moisture falls as rain near the Equator.

What causes arid zones north and south of the Equator?

After rain falls near the Equator, the remaining dry air descends and creates deserts.

How do ocean currents influence climate?

They warm or cool nearby land masses.

What is soil composed of?

Inorganic particles, organic remains, and living microscopic organisms.

How do different rock substrates affect soil?

They break down into chemically different particles of varying sizes.

What are the main soil particle sizes?

Clay (microscopic), silt (microscopic to barely visible), sand/gravel (visible).

What is humus?

The solid organic material left after decomposition of remains.

What determines soil characteristics?

The proportion of inorganic particles and humus.

What soil properties are influenced by particle and humus proportions?

Water-holding capacity, pH, mineral ion exchange, fertility, and air exchange.

What is topography in ecological terms?

Local physical features such as slope, elevation, drainage, wind interception, and rain-shadow effects.

What creates microclimates?

Local topographic differences that alter temperature, moisture, wind, and sunlight patterns.