2. CROP ECOLOGY
๏ถ Crop ecology is the study of the relationship existing between
crops of different types and how they relate to their environment.
3. BIOLOGICAL
INTERACTIONS IN CROP
ECOLOGY
1.Mutualism-this is an interaction between two species that is beneficial to
each other e.g plants and mycorrhizae fungi.
2.Commensalism-one plant exploits another e.g epiphytes which grow on
branches of tropical trees
3.Herbivory-this is an ecological function of plants where they produce
organic compounds for herbivores in the bottom of food web.
4.Competition-plants require relatively few basic elements such as
carbon,nitrogen,oxygen and potassium life forms.
5. BIOTIC FACTORS
๏ถ Biotic factors are the those that are biological in nature.They are also
identified as living things.They affect the environment either positively or
negatively and includes the following;
( i).Parasites
( ii).Pests
( iii).Pathogens
(iv).Pollinators
(v).Decomposers
6. ABIOTIC FACTORS
๏ถ Abiotic factors refers to non-living chemical and physical parts of
the environment that affect living organism and the functioning of
ecosystems.They include;
(i). Water
( ii). Wind
(iii). Sunlight
(iv). Humidity
7. IMPORTANCE OF BIOTIC
AND ABIOTIC FACTORS
๏ถ Healthy ecosystem
๏ถ Increase in population
๏ถ Faster growth
8. EFFECTS OF BIOTIC AND
ABIOTIC FACTORS
๏ถ Increase in tree mortality due to drought
๏ถ Change the composition of plant and animal communities .
๏ถ Competition
