Abiotic

In biology, abiotic components are non-living chemical and physical factors in the environment. These may be classified as light, temperature, water, atmospheric gases, and wind as well as soil, and physiographic factors. The six major abiotic factors are water, sunlight, oxygen, temperature, soil and climate.

The Sun is the primary source of light on Earth.

Learning factors could be said to be the definitions for the environmental conditions in which plants will grow. For example, the light needed by a plant can be defined by its quality, intensity, and duration. The latter two factors influence the annual cycles of plant growth.

Likewise, the temperatures of the ecosystem can greatly influence a plant\'s development. An over- or under-abundance of water can change a plant\'s environment; water requirements can also be described for animals.

Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen are the most important gases; they are used directly by plants.

Wind, soil, and physiographic conditions can also combine in multiple ways to affect organisms.

Abiotic components can be split into three main categories: climatic, eudaphic and social. Climatic factors include sunlight, humidity, temperature, atmosphere etc. Eudaphic factors are things to do with the nature of the soil and ground, such as the geology of the land and the soil type. Social factors include land use, water resources etc.

See also

• Biotic factors

References

• Abiotic Components from the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape (Republic of South Africa)

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