Ecology: Biotic and Abiotic Factors Flashcards
What are abiotic factors?
Non-living factors
What abiotic factors may affect an ecosystem?
- light intensity
- temperature
- moisture
- soil pH and mineral content
- wind intensity and direction
- carbon dioxide level
- oxygen level
Why might light intensity affect an ecosystem?
Different species of plants may have different optimum light intensities for growth.
Why does temperature affect an ecosystem?
Different species of plants and animals may have different optimum temperatures for growth and survival.
How does soil pH affect an ecosystem?
Certain plants may grow better in either alkaline or acidic soil.
Soil pH may affect the appearance of the plant eg. colour of hydrangea
How does moisture level affect an ecosystem?
Many plants cannot survive in waterlogged soil as their roots cannot respire.
Certain plants are adapted to height moisture levels.
How does wind intensity affect an ecosystem?
Plant seeds are more likely to germinate in locations with lower wind intensity, which may also attract animals that depend on the plant to live nearby.
How does soil mineral content affect an ecosystem?
Most plants require a high level of soil minerals to grow well.
Give an example of a type of plants that have adapted to low soil mineral content.
Carnivorous plants catch insects to compensate for the low level of soil mineral content.
How does oxygen concentration affect an ecosystem?
Aqauatic animals cannot survive in areas with lower wind oxygen concentration.
What are the biotic factors that may affect an ecosystem.
- food
- new predators
- new pathogens
- competition
