THE ABIOTIC FACTORS ARE THE NONLIVING FACTOR OF AN ENVIRONMENT OR ECOSYSTEM; THEY ARE THE PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE ENVIRONMENT THAT INFLUENCE LIVING FACTORS.
AirAir is an important element that every living organism needs in order to live and survive - it is a basic necessity. Plants need the carbon dioxide that is in the air in order to survive, while animals need the oxygen from the air in order to survive.
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SoilSoil is an important abiotic factor because it carries lots of minerals; it contains the nutrients that most plants need in order to grow. It affects plants more than it does animals, for healthier soil equals more nutrients for plants. Soil also acts as a habitat for many living organisms such as beetles, worms, fungi, and bacteria.
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SunlightSunlight provides plants with energy. The plants in an environment take the sunlight in so that they can change into food through the process of photosynthesis. The amount of sunlight an environment receives also determines what type of plants will be living there. For example, ferns need less sunlight than plants like dandelions. So, different types of plants will be found in areas with different amounts of sunlight.
Just like plants, animals need different amounts of sunlight, and they receive it through several ways. For example, many reptiles lounge in the sun so that they could raise their body temperatures through the heat and become more active. Nocturnal animals also get energy from sunlight from the food that they eat. The amount of sunlight in an environment also causes animals to migrate to other places. |
temperatureLiving organisms need an ideal temperature in order to survive. Extreme temperatures can wipe out a whole ecosystem. Some environments may have temperatures too hot or too cold for certain plants and animals. Places such as high mountain tops have freezing temperatures so it is most likely impossible for any plant to grow there.
However, animals such as penguins and polar bears are adapted to cold environments and therefore can only live in environments with low temperatures. Water temperatures of an environment also affect the living organisms that live there. Some fishes may prefer to live in warm water while others prefer to live in cold water. |
WATERWater is one of the most important abiotic factors because not only does it keep living organisms hydrated, but it provides a home for aquatic creatures such as turtles, frogs, and fishes. Some fishes need saltwater to survive while others need freshwater to survive. The type of water within the environment affects the living organisms greatly.
Plants also need water so that they can make food through photosynthesis. They take water from the soil through their roots. The water brings nutrients to different parts of the plants. Some plants, such as seaweed, feed on the carbon dioxide that is found in water. In addition, water helps animals carry out cellular activity. Drinking water assists animals in building body fluids and digesting food. |