Biotic and Abiotic Factors

• What are biotic factors in an environment?

  • Living parts of an environment
  • Examples include availability of food, predators, competition, and pathogens
• What are abiotic factors in an environment?

  • Nonliving parts of an environment
  • Examples include light intensity, temperature, water, soil pH, wind, and gases
• How does the availability of food affect a community?

  It causes a decrease in the number of organisms in the community
• What impact does the arrival of a new predator have on a prey species?

  It can decrease the population of the prey species
• What are the consequences of competition between species?

  It can lead to population decline and possible extinction of the outcompeted species
• How can new pathogens affect a species?

  They can cause significant population declines or extinction
• What is the first abiotic factor mentioned that affects plants?

  • Light intensity
  • Essential for photosynthesis
• What happens to plants if light intensity is too low?

  Plants grow more slowly
• How does temperature affect species distribution?

  It can lead to changes in species distribution
• Why is water considered a major abiotic factor?

  It is essential for the survival of both plants and animals
• What role does soil pH play for plants?

  It affects plant growth and mineral availability
• How does wind intensity and direction affect plants?

  It can lead to water loss in plants
• Why are carbon dioxide and oxygen important gases for plants and animals?

  They are crucial for photosynthesis and respiration
• What can happen to dissolved oxygen levels in water on hot days?

  They can decrease, harming aquatic life