DYNAMIC ECOSYSTEM

The abiotic and biotic component of the environment

 An ecosystem is a system formed by the interaction of
living organisms with one another and with their
environment
 Examples of ecosystems are forest, grassland, pond,
field, river, lake and sea
 An ecosystem consists of two components:

a) Abiotic components (physical factors)

b) Biotic components (biological factors)
 ABIOTIC COMPONENTS OF AN
ECOSYSTEM
 Abiotic components is an ecosystem include the physical
factors such as the pH level, temperature, light intensity,
humidity, topography, microclimate and the edaphic
factor which refers to the physical or chemical
composition of the soil
 All these environmental factors in an ecosystem affect the
lives and distribution of organisms
 The pH value of the soil and water affects the
distribution of organisms.
a) Most organisms live in a neutral or nearly neutral
environment (pH6- 7.5)
b) Some plants, like the maize, grows well in an acidic
condition while coconuts grow well in an alkaline condition
 Temperature affects the biochemical reactions in the
organism
a) organisms can live within a certain range of temperature
b) Poikilottherms are animals that cannot control their body
temperature as their body temperature varies with the
environmental temperature. Hence, they have to look for
habitats with suitable temperature and their distribution
becomes more restricted
c) Homoiotherms are animals that can maintain their body
temperature. Hence, their distribution is more widespread
d) Plants and animals have specific characteristics to help
them adapt to areas of extreme temperature
 Light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis
a) The distribution of green plants will be more extensive in
areas with higher light intensity
b) All organisms that live in the soil prefer a dark environment
 Humidity of air affects the rate of transpiration in
plants and the rate of water evaporation from animals
a) Organisms that can control the rate of water loss have an
extensive distribution
b) Organisms such as frogs, snails, earthworms and moss that
cannot control the rate of water loss are more suited to live
in damp places
 Topography refers to the shape of the Earth’s surface
a) Topography of a place determines the temperature, light
intensity and humidity in an area
b) Three topography factors that affect the distribution of
organisms are altitude, slope (gradient) and aspects
c) Altitude
there are less organisms at high altitudes because
temperature, atmospheric pressure and air humidity are low.
Different plants are found at different altitudes
d) Gradient
the gradient are place affects the rate of water flow. In steep
areas, the swift flow of water causes soil erosion while in flat
areas, the water is stagnant. Hence, these two areas are not
suitable for plants and animals to live
e) Aspects
aspects refers to the direction facing or opposing the wind
and sunlight. Areas facing aspects are not suitable for living
and hence, have less organisms
 Microclimate refers to the climate in a small habitat
such as the climate in the soil and the climate below are
three trunk or a large rock
a) Microclimate has specific temperature, humidity and
light intensity within its small habitat
b) Each type of organism finds a habitat that has a
microclimate that is suitable for it