Post on 04-Jan-2016
Abiotic Factors
And their Effects on the Ecosystem
(c )(6)(A)
The Abiotic Components of Ecosystems
1) Outside energy source1) Outside energy source
2) Physical factors that determine2) Physical factors that determine weather, climateweather, climate
3) Chemicals essential for life3) Chemicals essential for life
Outside Energy Source
PowersPowersphotosynthesisphotosynthesis
Warms earthWarms earth
Powers waterPowers watercyclecycle
Physical factors that Physical factors that determinedetermine
weather, climateweather, climate
HeatHeat
WindWind
PrecipitationPrecipitation
TopographyTopography
HeatHeatHeatHeat
Location Location
Reflection Reflection
Retention Retention
Wind and PrecipitationWind and Precipitation
Uneven heatingUneven heating Ascending, Ascending,
descending air descending air massesmasses
Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13
Moist surface warmed by sun
Flows toward low pressure,picks up moisture and heat
Warm,dry air
Hot, wetair
Falls, is compressed, warms Rises, expands, cools
Heat releasedradiates to space
LOWPRESSURE
HIGHPRESSURE
Cool, dryair
Condensationand
precipitation
HIGHPRESSURE
HIGHPRESSURE
LOWPRESSURE
LOWPRESSURE
Figure 6-10Page 117
ModifiersModifiers
Rotation of Rotation of the globethe globe
Geologic Geologic featuresfeatures
Rain ShadowsRain Shadows
Chemicals Essential for LifeChemicals Essential for Life
Elements and Elements and compoundscompounds
Recycled Recycled between biotic between biotic and abiotic partsand abiotic parts
Limiting Factor PrincipleLimiting Factor Principle
Too much or too little of any abiotic factor can Too much or too little of any abiotic factor can limit or prevent growth of a population, even if limit or prevent growth of a population, even if all other factors are optimal for that population.all other factors are optimal for that population.
Single factor most over-abundant or deficient in Single factor most over-abundant or deficient in an ecosystem determines presence/absence of an ecosystem determines presence/absence of specific plants/animals.specific plants/animals.
Ecosystem Concepts and ComponentsEcosystem Concepts and Components
Biomes Biomes
Role of climate
Role of climate
Aquatic life zones
Aquatic life zones
BiomesBiomes
Determined primarily by precipitationDetermined primarily by precipitation• Forests (> 75 cm rain per year)Forests (> 75 cm rain per year)• Grasslands (30-75 cm rain per Grasslands (30-75 cm rain per
year)year)• Deserts (< 30 cm rain per year)Deserts (< 30 cm rain per year)
BiomesBiomes
Determined secondarily Determined secondarily by temperature:by temperature:
Type of forest, grassland, Type of forest, grassland, or desert determined by or desert determined by average annual average annual temperaturetemperature
Salinity
Factors affecting soil salinity
Irrigation water quality Fertilizers applied Irrigation regimen and type
of irrigation system
A poorly drained soil might reach a salinity level that is harmful to the plants and to the whole crop. A soil that was not flushed after a previous growing cycle might contain high level of accumulated salts.
Matter Cycling in EcosystemsMatter Cycling in Ecosystems
Biogeochemical or nutrient cyclesBiogeochemical or nutrient cycles
Hydrologic cycle (H2O)Hydrologic cycle (H2O)
Atmospheric or gaseous cycles (C, N)Atmospheric or gaseous cycles (C, N)
Sedimentary cycles (P, S)Sedimentary cycles (P, S)
Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
Driven by physical forcesDriven by physical forces
The Carbon Cycle
Driven by biological forces:Driven by biological forces:photosynthesis and photosynthesis and respirationrespiration
The Nitrogen Cycle
Driven by biological forces: bacteriaDriven by biological forces: bacteria
Root nodulesRoot noduleson legumeson legumes
CyanobacteriaCyanobacteria
The Phosphorus Cycle
Driven by physical forcesDriven by physical forces
Community ChangeCommunity Change
Ecological succession: gradualreplacement of one kind of community of organisms by another over time; initiated by disturbance
Ecological succession: gradualreplacement of one kind of community of organisms by another over time; initiated by disturbance
Ecological Succession:Communities in Transition - Type #1Ecological Succession:Communities in Transition - Type #1
Primary successionPrimary succession
begins with barren area, no soilbegins with barren area, no soil
Ecological Succession: Communities in Transition - Type #1Ecological Succession: Communities in Transition - Type #1
Slow soil development by weathering,activities of tolerant speciesSlow soil development by weathering,activities of tolerant species
pioneer speciespioneer species
Ecological Succession:Communities in Transition - Type #1Ecological Succession:Communities in Transition - Type #1
Gradual changeover to less tolerantspecies over long periods of timeGradual changeover to less tolerantspecies over long periods of timeequilibrium or successional speciesequilibrium or successional species
Primary Succession
Ecological Succession:Communities in Transition - Type #2Ecological Succession:Communities in Transition - Type #2
Secondary successionSecondary succession
begins with soil already in placebegins with soil already in place
Ecological Succession: Communities in Transition - Type #2Ecological Succession: Communities in Transition - Type #2
Rapid changeover to less tolerantspecies over shorter periods of timeRapid changeover to less tolerantspecies over shorter periods of timerapid because soil already presentrapid because soil already present
Secondary Succession
The End Product
If undisturbed, communities changetoward a relatively stable stageIf undisturbed, communities changetoward a relatively stable stage
- climax community- climax community
- long-term presence if not disturbed- dominated by less-tolerant species- general equilibrium
- long-term presence if not disturbed- dominated by less-tolerant species- general equilibrium