Abiotic factors affecting organisms

• Abiotic factors affecting organisms in an ecosystem:
• Light intensity:

  • Some plants have evolved for optimum growth in bright sunlight
  • Cacti originally come from deserts where they grow in bright sunlight
  • Other plants, like orchids, have evolved for optimum growth in shade
• Temperature:

  • Animals and plants have evolved to grow healthily at their optimum temperatures
  • Plants like cacti and orchids would die if planted outside in cold temperatures
  • Animals like polar bears, evolved for the North Pole, could not survive in warmer conditions
• Moisture levels:

  • Overwatering can kill plants
  • Some plants cannot survive in waterlogged soils
  • Plants like pitcher plants grow best in high moisture levels
• Soil pH content:

  • The pH of soils affects plant growth
  • Some plants grow best in acidic soils, like azaleas
  • Others prefer alkaline soils, like clematis
• Soil mineral content:

  • Many plants require high levels of soil minerals to grow well
  • Plants with magnesium deficiency may have unnaturally yellow leaves
  • Carnivorous plants like pitcher plants catch insects to supplement low soil mineral levels
• Wind intensity and direction:

  • Wind strength and direction impact where organisms are found in ecosystems
  • Sheltered locations attract plant seeds to settle and germinate
  • Wind can affect the growth of individual organisms
• Carbon dioxide levels for plants:

  • Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis
  • Areas with higher carbon dioxide levels have healthier plants
  • Farmers release carbon dioxide in greenhouses to maximize crop yield
• Oxygen levels for aquatic animals:

  • Oxygen from air and aquatic plants dissolves in water
  • Healthy waters have high oxygen levels, polluted waters have low levels
  • Bioindicator species like sludgeworms inform about habitat condition based on oxygen levels