Understanding Fundamental Ecology Revision Topics
Abiotic factors in ecosystems play a crucial role in shaping environmental conditions. These non-living chemical and physical components directly influence how organisms survive and thrive. Temperature, light levels, oxygen availability, soil nitrogen content, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure are key examples of abiotic factors in ecosystems that create specific environmental conditions.
Definition: Abiotic factors definition biology refers to all non-living physical and chemical elements in the ecosystem that affect living organisms and their functioning.
Biotic factors in an ecosystem encompass all living components, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. These factors include predator numbers, mate availability, prey populations, plant abundance, and pathogen presence. The interaction between biotic and abiotic factors determines an organism's niche - the specific role and position it occupies in its ecosystem.
Understanding how do abiotic factors affect organisms in an ecosystem is fundamental to ecological studies. For instance, temperature influences metabolic rates, while light levels affect photosynthesis in plants. These factors work together to create unique environmental conditions that support specific species and communities.