B4 - ABIOTIC FACTORS & BIOTIC FACTORS

what are the two groups factors of an ecosystem can be broken down to called ?

• abiotic

• biotic

what are biotic factors?

the living factors

what is an example of a biotic factor?

in a woodland ecosystem, the presence of beech trees , squirrels and hedgehogs are biotic factors . the number of these organisms are also biotic factors .

what are abiotic factors ?

the non - living (or physical) factors

what are examples of abiotic factors ?

in the woodland ecosystem it would be the amount of rainfall received and the temperature of the ecosystem

what os the most common biotic factor?

competition

what are the abiotic factors that affect communities?

• light intensity

• temperature

• moisture level

• solid ph

how does light intensity affect communities ?

• light is required for photosynthesis. in general the greater the light availability , the greater the success of a plant .

how does temperature affect communities ?

• greatest effect on enzymes that control metabolic reactions

• plants develop more rapidly in warmer temps

• also for cold blooded animal that rely on the sun for warmth

how does moisture level affect communities ?

• for most plant and animal species a lack of water leads to death

• a lack of water causes most plants to wilt because the water is required to keep their cells turgid, which keeps the plants upright.

• water is also required for photosynthesis

how does solid PH affect communities ?

• the PH in soil can affect the biological activity in the soil and the availability of certain minerals

• some pant species grow better in acidic soils (rhododendrons and ferns)

• others grow better in alkaline soils (cucumbers and cauliflowers)