4.7.1.2 Abiotic Factors

Question 1

Abiotic factors which can affect a community:

Answer 1

• light intensity
• temperature
• moisture levels
• soil pH and mineral content
• wind intensity and direction
• carbon dioxide levels for plants
• oxygen levels for aquatic animals

Question 2

How is light intensity a factor which can affect a community?

Answer 2

• light is required for photosynthesis
• the rate of photosynthesis affects the rate at which the plant grows
• plants can be food sources or shelter for many organisms

Question 3

How is temperature a factor which can affect a community?

Answer 3

temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis

Question 4

How are moisture levels a factor which can affect a community?

Answer 4

both plants and animals need water to survive

Question 5

How is soil pH and mineral content a factor which can affect a community?

Answer 5

• soil pH affects the rate of decay and therefore how fast mineral ions return to the soil (which are then taken up by other plants)
• different species of plants thrive in different nutrient concentration levels

Question 6

How is wind intensity and direction a factor which can affect a community?

Answer 6

• wind affects the rate of transpiration (movement of water from root to leaves) in plants
• transpiration affects the temperature of the plant, and rate of photosynthesis because its transports water and mineral ions to the leaves

Question 7

How are carbon dioxide levels for plants a factor which can affect a community?

Answer 7

• CO2 affects the rate of photosynthesis in plants
• it also affects the distribution of an organisms as some thrive in high CO2

Question 8

How are oxygen levels for aquatic animals a factor which can affect a community?

Answer 8

• levels of oxygen in water vary greatly unlike oxygen levels in air
• most dish need high concentration of oxygen to survive