12 Examples of Abiotic Factors - encyclopedia

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Examples of abiotic factors
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An ecosystem is a system made up of various groups of organisms and the physical environment in which they relate to each other and to the environment. In an ecosystem we find:

Biotic factors: They are the organisms, that is, the living beings. They are from bacteria to the largest animals and plants. They can be heterotrophs (they take their food from other living beings) or autotrophs (they generate their food from inorganic substances). They are related to each other by relationships of predation, competition, parasitism, commensalism, cooperation ormutualism.
Abiotic factors: Are all those that constitute the physical-chemical characteristics of an ecosystem. These factors are in constant relationship with biotic factors as they allow their survival and growth. For example: water, air, light.

Abiotic factors can be beneficial for some species and not for others. For example, a pH acid (abiotic factor) is not favorable for the survival and reproduction of bacteria (biotic factor) but yes for fungi (biotic factor).

Biotic factors establish the conditions in which organisms can live in a certain ecosystem. Therefore, some organisms develop adaptations to these conditions, that is to say that, evolutionarily, living beings can be modified by biotic factors.

On the other hand, biotic factors also modify abiotic factors. For example, the presence of certain organisms (biotic factor) in the soil can change the acidity (abiotic factor) of the soil.

See also: Examples of biotic and abiotic factors

Examples of abiotic factors

Water: The availability of water is one of the main factors that affect the presence of organisms in an ecosystem, since it is essential for the survival of all forms of life. In places where there is no constant availability of water, organisms have developed adaptations that allow them to spend more time without contact with water. In addition, the presence of water affects the temperature and the humidity of the air.
Infrared light: It is a type of light invisible to the human eye.
Ultraviolet radiation: It is electromagnetic radiation. It is not visible. The earth's surface is protected from most of these rays by the atmosphere. However UV-A rays (wavelength between 380 to 315 nm) reach the surface. These rays do little damage to the tissues of the various organisms. In contrast, UV-B rays cause sunburn and skin cancer.
Atmosphere: From what has been said about ultraviolet radiation, it can be understood that the atmosphere and its characteristics affect the development of organisms.
Temperature: Heat is used by plants during photosynthesis. Furthermore, for all organisms there is a maximum and minimum environmental temperature in which they can survive. That is why global changes in temperature have as a consequence the extinction of various species. The microorganisms called Extremophiles can tolerate extreme temperatures.
Air: Air content affects the development and health of organisms. For example, if there is carbon monoxide in the air, it is harmful to all organisms, including humans. The wind also affects, for example, the growth of plants: trees that live in areas that have frequent winds in the same direction grow crooked.

Visible light: It is essential for the life of plants, since it intervenes in the photosynthesis process. It allows animals to see around them to perform various activities such as looking for food or protecting themselves.
Calcium: It is an element that is found in the earth's crust but also in sea water. It is an important element for biotic factors: it allows the normal development of leaves, roots and fruits in plants, and in animals it is essential for the strength of bones, among other functions.
Copper: It is one of the few metals that can be found in nature in pure state. It is absorbed as a cation. In plants, it participates in the photosynthesis process. In animals, it is found in red blood cells, it participates in the maintenance of blood vessels, nerves, the immune system and bones.
Nitrogen: Forms 78% of the air. Legumes absorb it directly from the air. Bacteria convert it to nitrate. Nitrate is used by various organisms to constitute the protein.
Oxygen: Is he chemical element most abundant in mass in the biosphere, that is, the sea, the air and the soil. It is an abiotic factor but it is released by a biotic factor: plants and algae, thanks to the photosynthesis process. Aerobic organisms are those that need oxygen to convert nutrients into energy. Humans, for example, are aerobic organisms.
Altitude: Geographically, the altitude of a place is measured taking into account its vertical distance from sea level. Therefore, when indicating the altitude, for example, 200 m.a.s.l. is indicated. (meters above sea level). Altitude affects both temperature (decreases 0.65 degrees for every 100 meters of altitude) and atmospheric pressure.