Ecology: Interaction between Biotic and Abiotic Factors of the ecosystem

1. Ecology
Biotic & Abiotic factors

2. Terminology review
• Ecology
The branch of biology that deals
with the relations of organisms (Living
things) to one another and their
physical surroundings (non-living
things)
• Ecosystem
A specific area in which abiotic and
biotic are interdependent and
interact closely

3. Terminology
review
• Abiotic
The non-living components of an
ecosystem that make up the
environment. These include soil,
temperature, water, light, wind, and
physiographic factors (e.g., slope)
Biotic
Living things (or once alive) that
makes up the environment.
These include humans,
vegetation, birds, insects, etc

4. Video

5. Abiotic
How do the following
abiotic components
affect living things:
• Soil
Soil provide a medium for plants to
grow in. Soil anchor plants roots and
provide nutrients.
The type of soil found in the area
determine the type of plants which will
grow in that area.
The type of plants that grow in a
specific area determine which animals
will be found there.
Soil is classified into three types
• CLAY
• LOAMY &
• SANDY

6. Soil
•Clay soil
Made up of small particle size, small air spaces,
poor drainage and little organic matter.
•Loamy soil
Made up of medium particle size, moderate
drainage, and large amount of organic matter
•Sandy soil
• Made up of large particle size, has large air
spaces, goof drainage & little organic matter

8. Temperature
• Temperature affects both plants and animals. It
determines their spatial distribution and
behaviour.
• Temperature is closely linked to plants. Some
plant grow best in hot summer conditions
whilst some prefer cool winter conditions for
optimum growth.
• Temperature also affect animals. For example,
when temperature increases, many animals
begin to mate. In winter, food becomes scarce
and some animals go into a winter sleep called
Hibernation. During this time their body
processes slow down and body temperature
drops.
• Hibernation may cause animal migration.

9. Water
• Water closely affects the
distribution of plants and
animals. Water helps plants &
animals for all body functions.
Water is also a habitat for
aquatic animals and plants.
• Terrestrial plants and animals
are adapted to withstand dry or
moist environment.
• Give an example of plants which
can survive dry conditions

10. Light
• Light is essential for the survival of
plants. Plants use light energy to
produce food for themselves
(Photosynthesis).
• Light is closely linked to seasons. In
winter sun rises later and sets earlier.
This shortens the period of light. In
summer sun rises earlier and sets
later. This lengthen the period of
light. Light plays a role in organism
life. Some plants need long period of
light to flower.

11. Biotic
• ALIVE
• Anything that is alive or was
once alive
- Discuss: what are some things
that are biotic factors that are right
outside our classroom?

12. Biotic
• Living things can either be Autotrophs or Heterotrophs.
• Autotrophs: ability of an organism to produce its own food using light
• Heterotrophs: refers to organism which cannot produce their own
food and depend of autotrophs for food.
• Living things are classified as
 Producers
 Consumers
 Decomposers

14. Producers
• Organisms which can photosynthesize and make their
own food using
 Light
 Water
 carbon dioxide
• Autotrophs can be subdivided based on the amount of
water they need.
• i.e xerophytes: plants that can Survive dry conditions.
Give example
• Hydrophytes: These are plants which are partially or
fully submerged in water.

15. Consumers
• Organisms which cannot produce their own food and reply on eating
producers to get energy. For example, humans, cows, grasshoppers.
• Consumers are classified according to what they eat.
Herbivores: consumers which eat plants (producers)
 Omnivores: Consumers which eat both plants and animals
Carnivores: consumers which only eat animals
• warm up: give example of each type of consumer

16. Herbivore

17. Omnivore

18. Carnivore

19. Decomposers
• Organisms (mainly micro-
organism) that feed off dead and
decaying matter.
• These animals are important in
the ecosystem.
• They include bacteria and fungi.

20. Any questions fellow
omnivores ?
If not, thank you for your
attention