Any non-living thing in an environment that affects living organisms
Abiotic Factor
The term used to describe any living thing in an ecosystem that affects other living things or the environment.
Biotic Factor
The term used to describe plants and algae that use photosynthesis to make energy.
Producers.
The primary source of energy for almost all ecosystems on Earth.
The Sun
This would happen to a species of animals if the abiotic factor (water) disappeared.
The animals would die or they would move elsewhere.
An example of an abiotic factor is
Sun, temperature, wind, rain etc
In a forest ecosystem, this is categorized as a biotic factor.
Fungus, trees, plants, etc
An invasive species has no natural predators and are usually introduced to an environment. If one is introduced, what is the most likely effect on the community?
The invasive species takes resources (food, space) that other native animals rely on and their population could decline.
A decomposer(eg:fungi, worms, insects) gets their food from this source.
From dead plants and animals.
The name for the 'home' or specific environment where an organism lives.
Habitat.
Sunlight is an example of this type of factor.
abiotic
This is the role that a 'decomposer' plays as a biotic factor in an ecosystem.
It breaks down dead organic matter into nutrients.
Moose were introduced to Newfoundland and Labrador. This means there were not native here. They are an example of this type of species.
Invasive Species
In the food chain (Grass -> Grasshopper -> Bird), this organism is the producer.
Grass.
The dam that is built by a beaver using mud and sticks is an example of this type of factor. (hint: biotic or abiotic)
Abiotic. The dam is a physical, non-living structure in an ecosystem.
How would an abiotic factor like a decrease in water temperature most likely affect a population of trout in a local pond?
It would affect their ability to spawn, their life cycles and changes to habitat
If there is more food (prey) available for predators, how will this impact their survival?
It will improve their survival and birth rate.
This is the difference between producers and consumers.
Producers generate energy and consumers use it.
Any animal eating another plant or animal.
What is an example of a biotic factor in a garden?
Any living thing interacting with the environment (worms, flowers, grass etc)
If all the nitrogen (an abiotic factor) were removed from the soil, what would be the most immediate biotic consequence?
Plants would be unable to survive.
This is an example of a relationship between TWO biotic factors (hint: Think of an animal and the things it may eat).
Any animal eating any other living thing.
This is a biotic factor that a fish might interact with in a pond.
Plants
Consumers that only eat producers like plants.
Herbivore
What are the abiotic factors involved in a plant growing?
Sunlight, water, soil.