UNIT

5Ecosystems

ABIOTIC FACTORSAFFECT THE BIOCENOSIS

Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

UNIT

5Abiotic factors affect the biocenosis

• The abiotic factors of in an ecosystem determine the biocenosis that exists within it. This means that the vegetation and fauna that develop in a given biotope are the ones that are capable of surviving the physical conditions of this biotope.

Click on the picture to see an example.

Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

1. For example, plants that live in a dry environment have roots which gradually break up the surface of the ground.

UNIT

5Abiotic factors affect the biocenosis

Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

3. The leaves of these trees prevent sunlight from reaching the ground. As their roots grow, the ground gets broken up further.

2. This loose soil is able to store more moisture, facilitating the growth of larger plants, like trees.

UNIT

5Abiotic factors affect the biocenosis

Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

4. A different biocenosis develops from this newly modified ground and continues to loosen the soil and cause its level of moisture to increase.

UNIT

5Abiotic factors affect the biocenosis

Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

5. The trees continue to grow, creating more shade. A large amount of water evaporates through their leaves. All of this causes changes in the climate.

UNIT

5Abiotic factors affect the biocenosis

Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

6. After many years, these changes in the biotope can have a great impact, resulting in the transformation of a patch of dry land into a humid forest.

UNIT

5

Natural Science 2. Secondary Education

Abiotic factors affect the biocenosis