Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Biosphere

What are Abiotic and Biotic Factors? Abiotic – non-living factors (that are important components of a biome/ ecosystem) Biotic – living or once-living factors (that are important components of a biome/ ecosystem)

Name at least 4 biotic factors and 4 abiotic factors in the pond ecosystem AbioticBiotic

Characteristics of Life/ Organisms All living things (or biotic factors/ organisms)… 1.Are made of cells (basic unit of life) 2.Can reproduce 3.Maintain homeostasis (maintain stable internal conditions) 4.Can obtain & use energy 5.Are highly organized (at molecular & cellular level) 6.Can grow & develop 7.Can respond/ adapt to the environment

What is the Biosphere? The “living sphere” or living portion of Earth A complex system made up of biotic (living) factors and the abiotic (nonliving) factors that support them Includes the parts of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere that support life

What provides energy for the biosphere?

The atmosphere provides necessary gases, winds, and favorable temperatures

The hydrosphere provides water and nutrients necessary for life

The geosphere provides minerals, nutrients and a place for many plants and animals to live

How is the biosphere organized? Ecologists have organized the living world into levels (from smallest to largest): organisms, populations, communities, Ecosystems, Biomes ORGANISM: *An individual living thing that is made of cells, uses energy, reproduces, responds, grows, and develops (has all 7 characteristics of life).

POPULATION A group of organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the same area at the same time.

Different populations of plants, animals, etc. interacting in the same area at the same time. *A change in one population in a community often causes changes in the other populations. COMMUNITY

The communities (living things) in a given area, AND the abiotic components (nonliving things) of that area The type of ecosystem depends on the organisms and the climate in an area. The energy flow determines the types of organisms and the size of populations. An ecosystem can be as large as a desert or a lake or as small as a tree or a puddle of pond water. ECOSYSTEM

A very large area on the Earth’s surface, defined by the plants (flora) and animals (fauna) that are adapted to specific factors such as climate, geology, soils and vegetation. A biome can contain one or many ecosystems. BIOME

Position of the Earth and Climate Important Terms: Latitude – angular distance north or south of equator Equator – angular distance is equal to 0 (half way between north and south poles) Hemisphere – northern (north of equator) and southern (south of equator) Tilt of Earth’s axis – approximately 23°

Effect of Earth’s Position on Climate As the Earth orbits the sun, part of the Earth is tilted toward the sun and part of the sun is tilted away from the sun. In the hemisphere tilted toward the sun it’s summer, and in the hemi- sphere tilted away it’s winter.

Intensity of Sun’s Rays on Earth The suns rays are concentrated in a small area when they are most direct. This area gets hot! The rays are more spread out over an area when they are less direct. This area is cooler.

How does the intensity of the sun’s rays change with latitude? In winter, there are fewer daylight hours and less direct sunlight hitting that portion of the Earth. This means LESS HEAT! The opposite is true in summer.

Resources for Biotic and Abiotic Factors and Biomes Abiotic and Biotic Factors in Ecosystems 08 Examples of Abiotic and Biotic Factors yTN4 es.htm es.htm