Abiotic factors - factors inanimate nature, physical and chemical in nature. These include: light, temperature, humidity, pressure, salinity (especially in the aquatic environment), mineral composition(in the soil, in the soil of reservoirs), movements air masses(wind), movement water masses(currents), etc. The combination of various abiotic factors determines the distribution of species of organisms across different areas globe. Everyone knows that this or that biological species is not found everywhere, but in areas where there are conditions necessary for its existence. This, in particular, explains the geographical location of various types on the surface of our planet.
As noted above, the existence certain type depends on a combination of many different abiotic factors. Moreover, for each type the significance of individual factors, as well as their combinations, is very specific.
The most important thing for all living organisms is light. Firstly, because it is practically the only source of energy for all living things. Autotrophic (photosynthetic) organisms - cyanobacteria, plants, converting energy sunlight into energy chemical bonds(in the process of synthesis organic matter from minerals) ensure their existence. But in addition, the organic substances created by them serve (in the form of food) as a source of energy for all heterotrophs. Secondly, the light plays important role as a factor regulating lifestyle, behavior, physiological processes, occurring in organisms. Let us recall such a well-known example as the fall of leaves from trees. A gradual reduction in daylight hours starts difficult process physiological restructuring plants ahead of the long winter period.
Changes in daylight hours throughout the year have great value and for animals temperate zone. Seasonality determines the reproduction of many of their species, changes in plumage and fur, horns in ungulates, metamorphosis in insects, migration of fish and birds.
An abiotic factor no less important than light is temperature. Most living creatures can only live in the range from –50 to +50 °C. And mainly in the habitats of organisms on Earth, temperatures are observed that do not go beyond these limits. However, there are species that have adapted to exist at very high or low temperatures. So, some bacteria roundworms can live in hot springs with temperatures up to +85 °C. In the conditions of the Arctic and Antarctica, there are different types of warm-blooded animals - polar bears, penguins.
Temperature as an abiotic factor can significantly influence the rate of development and physiological activity of living organisms, since it is subject to daily and seasonal fluctuations.
Other abiotic factors are no less important, but varying degrees For different groups living organisms. Thus, for all terrestrial species, humidity plays a significant role, and for aquatic species, salinity plays a significant role. The fauna and flora of islands in the oceans and seas are significantly influenced by the wind. For soil inhabitants, its structure, i.e., the size of soil particles, is important.
Biotic and anthropogenic factors
Biotic factors(factors of living nature) are various forms interactions between organisms of the same and different species.
Relationships between organisms of the same species often have a character competition, and quite spicy. This is due to their identical needs - for food, territorial space, light (for plants), nesting places (for birds), etc.
Often in relationships between individuals of the same species there is also cooperation. The gregarious, gregarious lifestyle of many animals (ungulates, seals, monkeys) allows them to successfully defend themselves from predators and ensure the survival of their young. Wolves provide an interesting example. Over the course of the year, they experience a change from competitive to cooperative relationships. In spring summer period wolves live in pairs (male and female) and raise offspring. Moreover, each pair occupies a certain hunting territory that provides them with food. There is fierce territorial competition between the couples. In winter, wolves gather in packs and hunt together, and in wolf pack A rather complex “social” structure is emerging. The transition from competition to cooperation is due here to the fact that in summer there is a lot of prey (small animals), and in winter only large animals (elk, deer, wild boar) are available. The wolf cannot cope with them alone, so a pack is formed for a successful joint hunt.
Relationships between organisms of different species very diverse. In those that have similar needs (for food, nesting sites), it is observed competition. For example, between a gray and black rat, a red cockroach and a black one. Not very often, but between different types folds up cooperation, like at a bird market. Numerous birds of small species are the first to notice danger and the approach of a predator. They raise the alarm, and the big ones strong species(for example, herring gulls) actively attack a predator (arctic fox) and drive it away, protecting both their nests and the nests of small birds.
Widely distributed in species relationships predation. In this case, the predator kills the prey and eats it whole. Herbivory is also closely related to this method: here, too, individuals of one species eat representatives of another (sometimes, however, not eating the entire plant, but only partially).
At commensalism the symbiont benefits from cohabitation, and the host is not harmed, but he does not receive any benefit. For example, a pilot fish (commensal), living near a large shark (owner), has a reliable protector, and it also gets food from the owner’s table. The shark simply does not notice its “freeloader”. Commensalism is widely observed in animals leading an attached lifestyle - sponges and coelenterates (Fig. 1).
Rice. 1.Sea anemone on a shell occupied by a hermit crab
The larvae of these animals settle on the shell of crabs and shells of mollusks, and the developed adult organisms use the host as a “vehicle”.
Mutualistic relationships are characterized mutual benefit for both the mutualist and the owner. Wide famous examples that - intestinal bacteria in humans (“supplying” the necessary vitamins to their owner); nodule bacteria - nitrogen fixers - living in plant roots, etc.
Finally, two species existing in the same territory (“neighbors”) may not interact with each other in any way. In this case they talk about neutralism, absence of any species relationships.
Anthropogenic factors - factors (affecting living organisms and ecological systems) arising as a result of human activity.
Constantly evolving, humanity does not particularly think about how abiotic factors directly or indirectly influence humans. What are abiotic conditions and why is their seemingly subtle influence so important to consider? These are certain physical phenomena that are not related to living nature, which have one way or another impact on human life or environment. Roughly speaking, light, the degree of humidity, the Earth’s magnetic field, temperature, the air we breathe - all these parameters are called abiotic. This definition does not in any way include the influence of living organisms, including bacteria, microorganisms and even protozoa.
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Examples and types
We have already found out that this is a set of inanimate natural phenomena that can be climatic, water or soil. The classification of abiotic factors is conventionally divided into three types:
- Chemical,
- Physical,
- Mechanical.
The chemical influence is exerted by the organic and mineral composition of the soil, atmospheric air, ground and other waters. Physical factors include natural light, pressure, temperature and humidity environment. Accordingly, cyclones, solar activity, soil, air and water movement in nature are considered mechanical factors. The combination of all these parameters has a tremendous impact on the reproduction, distribution and quality of life of all living things on our planet. And if modern man thinks that all these phenomena that literally controlled the life of his ancient ancestors have now been tamed with the help of progressive technologies, then, unfortunately, this is not at all the case in reality.
We must not lose sight of biotic factors and processes that are inevitably tied to the abiotic influence on all living things. Biotic are the forms of influence of living organisms on each other; almost any of them are caused by abiotic environmental factors and their influence on living organisms.
What influence can inanimate factors have?
To begin with, we need to define what falls under the definition of abiotic environmental factors? Which parameters can be included here? Abiotic environmental factors include: light, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric conditions. Let's consider which factor influences how exactly in more detail.
Light
Light is one of the environmental factors that literally every object in geobotany uses. Sunlight is the most important source of thermal energy, responsible in nature for the processes of development, growth, photosynthesis and many, many others.
Light, as an abiotic factor, has a number of specific characteristics: spectral composition, intensity, periodicity. These abiotic conditions are most important for plants, whose main life is the process of photosynthesis. Without a high-quality spectrum and good lighting intensity, vegetable world will not be able to actively reproduce and grow fully. The duration of light exposure is also important; for example, with a short daylight hours, plant growth is significantly reduced and reproduction functions are inhibited. It is not for nothing that for good growth and harvest, in greenhouse (artificial) conditions they must create the longest possible photoperiod, which is so necessary for plant life. In such cases, natural biological rhythms. Lighting is the most important natural factor for our planet.
Temperature
Temperature is also one of the most powerful abiotic factors. Without the necessary temperature regime, life on Earth is truly impossible - and this is not an exaggeration. Moreover, if a person can deliberately maintain light balance at a certain level, and this is quite easy to do, then with temperature the situation is much more difficult.
Of course, over millions of years of existence on the Planet, both plants and animals have adapted to temperatures that are uncomfortable for them. The thermoregulation processes are different here. For example, in plants there are two methods: physiological, namely, increasing the concentration cell sap, due to the intensive accumulation of sugar in the cells. This process ensures required level frost resistance of plants, in which they may not die even under very low temperatures. The second method is physical, it consists in the special structure of the foliage or its reduction, as well as growth methods - squat or creeping along the ground - in order to avoid freezing in open space.
Among animals, a distinction is made between eurythermals - those that exist freely with significant temperature fluctuations, and stenothermals, for whose life a certain temperature range is not too important. big size. Eurythermic organisms exist when the ambient temperature fluctuates within 40-50 degrees, usually these are conditions close to continental climate. In summer there are high temperatures, in winter there is frost.
A striking example of a eurythermal animal is the hare. In the warm season, it feels comfortable in the heat, and in cold weather, turning into a white hare, it perfectly adapts to the temperature abiotic factors of the environment and their influence on living organisms.
There are many representatives of the fauna - animals, insects, and mammals that have another type of thermoregulation - using a state of torpor. In this case, the metabolism slows down, but body temperature can be maintained at the same level. Example: for a brown bear, the abiotic factor is winter air temperature, and its method of adapting to frost is hibernation.
Air
Abiotic environmental factors also include the air environment. In the process of evolution, living organisms had to master the air habitat after leaving the water on land. Some of them, especially this affected insects and birds, in the process of developing species that move on land, adapted to movement through the air, mastering the technique of flight.
The process of ansmochory - migration of plant species with the help of air currents - should not be excluded - the vast majority of plants populated the territories in which they now grow in this way, through pollination, transfer of seeds by birds, insects, and the like.
If we ask ourselves what abiotic factors influence plant and animal world, then the atmosphere, in terms of its influence, will clearly not be on last place– its role in the process of evolution, development and population size cannot be exaggerated.
However, it is not the air itself that is important, as a parameter influencing nature and organisms, but also its quality, namely chemical composition. What factors are important in this aspect? There are two of them: oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Oxygen value
Without oxygen, only anaerobic bacteria can exist; other living organisms absolutely need it. Oxygen component air environment refers to those types of products that are only consumed, but only green plants are capable of producing oxygen through the method of photosynthesis.
Oxygen entering the body of a mammal is bound into chemical compound hemoglobin in the blood and in this form is transported with the blood to all cells and organs. This process ensures the normal functioning of any living organism. The influence of the air environment on the life support process is great and continuous throughout life.
Carbon dioxide value
Carbon dioxide is a product exhaled by mammals and some plants; it is also formed during combustion and the activity of soil microorganisms. However, all these natural processes emit such an insignificant amount of carbon dioxide that they cannot even be compared with a real disaster of the ecosystem, which is directly and indirectly related to everyone natural processes – industrial emissions and waste products technological processes. And, if just a hundred years ago, a similar problem would mainly be observed in a large industrial city, such as Chelyabinsk, then today it is widespread throughout almost the entire territory of the planet. Nowadays, carbon dioxide is produced everywhere: by enterprises, vehicles, various devices, persistently expands the group of its influence, including the atmosphere.
Humidity
Humidity, as an abiotic factor, is the water content of anything: a plant, air, soil or a living organism. Of the environmental factors, humidity is the primary condition necessary for the origin and development of life on Earth.
Absolutely every living thing on the planet needs water. The mere fact that any living cell Eighty percent water is self-explanatory. And for many living beings ideal conditions a habitat natural environment are water bodies or humid climates.
The wettest place on earth is Ureka (Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea) Of course, there are also types of areas where the amount of water is minimal or is present with some periodicity, these are deserts, high mountainous terrain, and similar areas. This has an obvious impact on nature: the absence or minimum of vegetation, drying out soil, no fruit-bearing plants, only those types of flora and fauna survive that have been able to adapt to such conditions. Fitness, no matter to what extent it is expressed, is not lifelong and, in the case when the characteristics of abiotic factors change for some reason, it may also change or disappear altogether.
In terms of the degree of influence on nature, humidity is important to take into account not only as a single parameter, but also in combination with each of the listed factors, since together they form the type of climate. Each specific territory with its own abiotic environmental factors has its own characteristics, its own vegetation, species and population size.
The influence of abiotic factors on humans
Man, as a component of the ecosystem, also refers to objects susceptible to the influence of abiotic factors of inanimate nature. The dependence of human health and behavior on solar activity, lunar cycle, cyclones and similar influences were noted several centuries ago, thanks to the observation skills of our ancestors. And in modern society the presence of a group of people is invariably recorded, whose changes in mood and well-being have indirect impact namely abiotic environmental factors.
For example, research solar influence, showed that this star has an eleven-year cycle of periodic activity. On this basis there are fluctuations electromagnetic field Earth, which has an impact on human body. Peaks in solar activity can weaken immune system, and pathogenic microorganisms, on the contrary, are made more tenacious and adapted to widespread distribution within the community. The sad consequences of this process are outbreaks of epidemics, the emergence of new mutations and viruses.
Epidemic of unknown infection in India To others important example abiotic influence is ultraviolet. Everyone knows that in certain doses, this type of radiation is even useful. This environmental factor has an antibacterial effect, slows down the development of spores, causing diseases skin. But in large doses, ultraviolet radiation negatively affects the population, causing fatal diseases such as cancer, leukemia or sarcoma.
The manifestations of the action of abiotic environmental factors on humans directly include temperature, pressure and air humidity, in short - climate. An increase in temperature will lead to braking physical activity and the development of problems with the cardiovascular system. Low temperatures are dangerous due to hypothermia, which means inflammatory processes in the respiratory system, joints and limbs. It should be noted here that the humidity parameter further enhances the influence of temperature conditions.
Promotion atmospheric pressure threatens the health of those with weak joints and fragile blood vessels. Particularly dangerous are sudden changes in this climatic parameter - sudden hypoxia, blockage of capillaries, fainting and even coma can occur.
Among the environmental factors, one cannot fail to note the chemical aspect of the impact on humans. Everyone is one of those chemical elements contained in water, atmosphere or soil. There is a concept regional factors– excess or, conversely, deficiency of certain compounds or trace elements in the nature of each individual region. For example, of the listed factors, both a lack of fluoride is harmful - it causes damage to tooth enamel, and its excess - accelerates the process of ossification of ligaments, disrupts the functioning of some internal organs. Particularly noticeable in the incidence rate of the population are fluctuations in the content of chemical elements such as chromium, calcium, iodine, zinc, and lead.
Of course, many of the abiotic conditions listed above, although they are abiotic factors of the natural environment, are in fact very dependent on human activity - the development of mines and deposits, changes in river beds, the air environment, etc. similar examples intervention of progress in natural phenomena.
Detailed characteristics of abiotic factors
Why is the effect on the population of most abiotic factors so enormous? This is logical: after all, to ensure life cycle of any living organism on Earth, the totality of all parameters that influence the quality of life, its duration, and determine the number of ecosystem objects is important. Lighting, atmospheric composition, humidity, temperature, zonality of distribution of representatives of living nature, salinity of water and air, its edaphic data are the most important abiotic factors and adaptation of organisms to them is positive or negative, but in any case, it is inevitable. It’s easy to verify this: just look around!
Abiotic factors aquatic environment provide the origin of life, making up three quarters of every living cell on Earth. In a forest ecosystem, biotic factors include all the same parameters: humidity, temperature, soil, light - they determine the type forest area, saturation of plants, their adaptability to a particular region.
In addition to the obvious ones already listed, salinity, soil and the electromagnetic field of the Earth should also be mentioned as important abiotic factors of the natural environment. The entire ecosystem has evolved for hundreds of years, the topography of areas has changed, the degree of adaptation of living organisms to certain living conditions has changed, new species have appeared and entire populations have migrated. However, this natural chain has long been disrupted by the fruits of human activity on the planet. The work of environmental factors is fundamentally disrupted due to the fact that the influence of abiotic parameters does not occur purposefully, like factors of inanimate nature, but as harmful effects on the development of organisms.
Unfortunately, the influence of abiotic factors on the quality and life expectancy of humans and humanity as a whole has been and remains enormous and can bring both positive and negative consequences. negative consequences for each individual organism for all humanity as a whole.
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- Ecology. Textbook. Grif Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Potapov A.D.. The textbook examines the basic principles of ecology as a science about the interaction of living organisms with their habitat. The main principles of geoecology as a science about the main...
Abiotic factors. To abiotic factors terrestrial environment include primarily climatic factors
Abiotic factors of the terrestrial environment include primarily climatic factors. Let's look at the main ones.
1. Light or solar radiation . Biological influence sunlight depends on its intensity, duration, spectral composition, daily and seasonal frequency.
Radiant energy coming from the Sun spreads in space in the form electromagnetic waves: ultraviolet rays (wavelength l< 0,4 мкм), видимые лучи (l = 0,4 ¸ 0,75 мкм) и infrared rays(l > 0.75 µm).
Ultraviolet rays are characterized by the most high energy quanta and high photochemical activity. In animals, they contribute to the formation of vitamin D and the synthesis of pigments by skin cells; in plants, they have a formative effect and promote biological synthesis active compounds. Ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of less than 0.29 microns is destructive for all living things. However, thanks to the ozone shield, only a small part of it reaches the Earth's surface.
The visible part of the spectrum is especially great importance for organisms. Thanks to visible light Plants have developed a photosynthetic apparatus. For animals, the light factor is primarily a necessary condition orientation in space and time, and also participates in the regulation of many life processes.
Infrared radiation increases the temperature of the natural environment and the organisms themselves, which is especially important for cold-blooded animals. In plants, infrared rays play significant role in transpiration (the evaporation of water from the surface of the leaves removes excess heat) and promotes absorption by plants carbon dioxide.
2. Temperature affects everything vitally important processes. First of all, it determines the speed and nature of metabolic reactions in organisms.
The optimum temperature factor for most organisms is within the range of 15 ¸ 30 0 C, but some living organisms can withstand significant fluctuations. For example, individual species bacteria and blue-green algae can exist in hot springs at temperatures of about 80 0 C. Polar waters with temperatures from 0 to -2 0 C are inhabited by a variety of flora and fauna.
3. Humidity atmospheric air is associated with its saturation with water vapor. Seasonal and daily fluctuations in humidity, along with light and temperature, regulate the activity of organisms.
In addition to climatic factors important for living organisms has gas composition atmosphere. It is relatively constant. The atmosphere consists mainly of nitrogen and oxygen with small amounts of carbon dioxide, argon and other gases. Nitrogen is involved in the formation of protein structures in organisms, oxygen provides oxidative processes.
Abiotic factors of the aquatic environment are:
1 - density, viscosity, mobility of water;
Test "Abiotic environmental factors"
1. Signal for the beginning of the autumn migration of insectivorous birds:
1) lowering the ambient temperature 2) reducing daylight hours
3) lack of food 4) increased humidity and pressure
2. The number of squirrels in the forest zone is NOT affected by:
1) alternation of cold and warm winters 2) harvest of fir cones
3. Abiotic factors include:
1) competition of plants for light absorption 2) influence of plants on animal life
3) temperature changes during the day 4) human pollution
4. A factor limiting the growth of herbaceous plants in a spruce forest is a disadvantage:
1) light 2) heat 3) water 4) minerals
5. What is the name of a factor that significantly deviates from the optimal value for the type:
1) abiotic 2) biotic
3) anthropogenic 4) limiting
6. The signal for the onset of leaf fall in plants is:
1) increase in environmental humidity 2) reduction in daylight hours
3) decrease in environmental humidity 4) increase in environmental temperature
7. Wind, precipitation, dust storms- these are the factors:
1) anthropogenic 2) biotic
3) abiotic 4) limiting
8. The reaction of organisms to changes in day length is called:
1) microevolutionary changes 2) photoperiodism
3) phototropism 4) unconditioned reflex
9. Abiotic environmental factors include:
1) boars tearing up roots 2) locust invasion
3) formation of bird colonies 4) heavy snowfall
10. From the listed phenomena Daily biorhythms include:
1) migration of marine fish to spawn
2) opening and closing of flowers angiosperms
3) bud bursting in trees and shrubs
4) opening and closing shells in mollusks
11. What factor limits plant life in the steppe zone?
1) heat 2) lack of moisture
3) lack of humus 4) excess ultraviolet rays
12. The most important abiotic factor that mineralizes organic residues in the forest biogeocenosis is:
1) frosts 2) fires
3) winds 4) rains
13. Abiotic factors that determine population size include:
3) decreased fertility 4) humidity
14. The main limiting factor for plant life in Indian Ocean is the disadvantage:
1) light 2) heat
3) mineral salts 4) organic substances
15. Towards abiotic environmental factors applies:
1) soil fertility 2) wide variety of plants
3) presence of predators 4) air temperature
16. The reaction of organisms to the length of the day is called:
1) phototropism 2) heliotropism
3) photoperiodism 4) phototaxis
17. Which factor regulates seasonal phenomena in the life of plants and animals?
1) temperature change 2) air humidity level
3) availability of shelter 4) length of day and night
18. Which of the following inanimate factors most significantly influences the distribution of amphibians?
1) light 2) carbon dioxide content
3) air pressure 4) humidity
19. Cultivated plants grow poorly in swampy soil because it:
1) insufficient oxygen content
2) methane formation occurs
3) excess content of organic substances
4) contains a lot of peat
20. What device helps cool plants when the air temperature rises?
1) decrease in metabolic rate 2) increase in the intensity of photosynthesis
3) decreased breathing intensity 4) increased water evaporation
21. What adaptation of shade-tolerant plants ensures more efficient and complete absorption of sunlight?
1) small leaves 2) large leaves
3) thorns and prickles 4) waxy coating on the leaves
Answers: 1 – 2; 2 – 1; 3 – 3; 4 – 1; 5 – 4;
6 – 2; 7 – 3; 8 – 2; 9 – 4; 10 – 2; 11 – 2;
12 – 2; 13 – 4; 14 – 1; 15 – 4; 16 – 3;
17 – 4; 18 – 4; 19 – 1; 20 – 4; 21 – 2.