Abiotic
Encyclopedia : A : AB : ABI : Abiotic
Abiotic factors are the non-living factors of the Earth which affect the ability of living organisms to survive in an environment. These can include both physical and chemical factors.
The main factors effecting the growth of plants and where they grow can be associated with abiotic factors rather than biotic factors which contribute less to there existence.
Physical abiotic factors include soil, weather, and the availability of consumable water. Natural disasters can also be considered abiotic.
Chemical factors include the amount of sunlight and the pH level of the soil.
See also
Abiotic Factors Abiotic factors are those non-living physical and chemical factors which affect the ability of organisms to survive and reproduce. Some Abiotic Factors • light intensity • temperature range • type of soil or rock • pH level (acidity or alkalinity) • water availability • dissolved gases • level of pollutant Abiotic factors vary in the environment and determining the types and numbers of organisms that exist in that environment. Factors which determine the types and numbers of organisms of a species in an ecosystem are called limiting factors. Many limiting factors restrict the growth of populations in nature. An example of this would include low annual average temperature average common to the Arctic restricts the growth of trees, as the subsoil is permanently frozen.
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