ccea as bio adaptions of organisms

ecological factors that influence distribution of organisms

climactic

edaphic

biotic

climactic factors

temp range

availability of water

light intensity

light quality

day length

temp range

temperatures vary so adaptions in temp range

high temps = denature enzymes

low temps = ice inside cells

both physically damage

availability of water

mammals have waterproof skin and a gas exchange surface deep in body = protected from loss of water by evaporation + can exploit terrestrial habitats easier than other animal groups

light intensity

necessary for photosynthesis= dependent on it

more light = faster photosynthesis = faster growth. some species require high light levels and others require low

light quality

plants can only use certain wavelengths of light for photosynthesis

what adaptions does red seaweed have in regards to light quality

red seaweed occurs in a zone below the low tide mark they have a greater proportion of their light absorbing pigments as red which absorb at the blue end of the spectrum

what effect does this adaption have for the seaweed

allows it to dominate a zone inhospitable to most other seaweeds

day length

longer daylength = more light for photosynthesis= more growth, crucial for species whose activity is limited to either day or night

edaphic factors

PH values

availability of nutrients

water content

aeration of soils

PH values

soil PH affects the availability of certain ions + types of plants that can grow

optimum PH for most plants is around neutral

availability of nutrients

macronutrients eg nitrate, calcium required in large amounts

micronutrients eg ions required in small amounts but are critical, availability of nutrients depends of type of rock soil has been formed and the ecosystem

water content

most plants here adapted for moist well drained soils. some xerophytes adapted for water logged soils

waterlogged soils - xerophytes

low o2 content = restricts aerobic respiration in root cells, reduced nitrate levels due to denitrification converting the nitrate to atmospheric nitrogen.

aeration of soils

most soils contain air in the spaces between soil crumbs. o2 diffuses into cells in plant roots + used in respiration

soil microbes involved in the decomposition of organic matter require oxygen

how are peat bogs formed

from plant matter that has not decayed due to them being waterlogged or acidic, conditions that restrict the activity of microbes

biotic factors

competition

predators and prey

accumulation of waste

competition

organisms compete with each other for a limited source, some win and others lose

intraspecific competition

competition between members of the same species

interspecific competition

competition between members of different species

predators and prey

when prey numbers are high predator numbers are high and vice versa

accumulation of waste

growth of microorganisms restricted by the accumulation of toxic waste

what do ecological factors affect

distribution of organisms and the number of individuals a particular environment can support

ecological niche

organisms role within the ecosystem, its role in food chain, its climactic and edaphic requirements and its competition with other organisms