Ecology- biotic and abiotic factors

What is an abiotic factor ?

Nonliving factor nonliving part of environment that can affect organisms

What are abiotic factors that can affect a community?

Light intensity, temperature, moisture levels, soil pH and mineral content, wind intensity and direction, carbon dioxide levels and oxygen levels

Explain how light int affects a community

Light intensity – light is required for photosynthesis. The rate of photosynthesis affects right at which plant can grow. Plants can be food sources or shelter for many organisms.

explain how temperature affects a community – abiotic factor

Temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis enzymes work faster increase in growth

Explain how moisture levels affect a community - abiotic factor

Both plants and animals need water to survive (Effects water availability for them)

Explain how soil pH and mineral content affects a community abiotic factor

Soil pH F affect the rate of decay and therefore how fast mineral ions return to soil (which is taken in by plant)

- effects plant health and distribution

Explain how wind intensity and direction effect a community - abiotic factor

Wind affects rate of transpiration (movement of water from roots to leaves) in plants.

– Transpiration effect temp of plants and rate of photosynthesis because it transports water and mineral ions to leaves.

Explain how carbon dioxide levels effect community

Carbon dioxide affect the rate of photosynthesis in plants .

– It also affects the distribution of organisms as some thrive in high carbon dioxide environments

Explain how oxygen levels (for animals living in water) can affect a community

Levels in water vary greatly unlike what oxygen levels in air most Fish need high concentration of oxygen to survive

What is a biotic factor?

A living factor. Any living factor that affects another organism or shapes the ecosystem in anyway.

What are the biotic factors that can affect a community?

Food, availability, new products, new pathogens and competition

Explain how food availability can affect a community?

More food means organisms can breed more successfully and therefore the population can increase in numbers

Explain how new pathogens can affect a community

When a new pathogen arises, the population has no resistance to it so they can be wiped out quickly

Explain how competition can affect a community

If one species is better adapted to environment, then another then it will out to compete until the numbers of the lesser adapted species are insufficient to breed

What do changes in abiotic factors lead to?

Can change the distribution and abundeance of organisms

What can changes in biotic factors lead to?

Can lead to decline or increase of population after the food web