Abiotic and Biotic Factors

• What are the two types of factors that change the environment for organisms?

  Abiotic and biotic factors
• How do abiotic and biotic factors affect a community?

  They can have a big effect on a community
• How can changes in abiotic factors affect population sizes in a community?

  They can affect the size of populations
• What could an increase in light intensity do to a plant's photosynthesis rate?

  It could increase the rate of photosynthesis
• How does a decrease in soil mineral content affect plants?

  It could cause nutrient deficiencies
• What are the effects of biotic factors on ecosystems?

  • New predators arriving
  • Competition among species
  • Introduction of new pathogens
  • Availability of food resources
• How can competition among species affect population sizes?

  It may lead to one species outcompeting another
• How does the introduction of new pathogens affect a community?

  It can decrease the population of affected species
• What could a decrease in food availability do to animal populations?

  It could decrease their population sizes
• How do abiotic and biotic factors interact in an ecosystem?

  • Abiotic factors influence biotic factors
  • Biotic factors can modify abiotic conditions
  • Changes in one can lead to changes in the other
• What is the role of plants in ecosystems regarding food?

  Plants provide food for herbivores
• How can changes in the environment affect animal populations?

  They can lead to changes in food availability
• What is the impact of a decrease in plant population on animal populations?

  It could decrease the animal population size
• What are the consequences of changes in abiotic factors on ecosystems?

  • Affect population sizes
  • Influence species interactions
  • Change community structure
• What is the effect of wind intensity on ecosystems?

  It can affect plant growth and dispersal
• How does oxygen level affect aquatic animals?

  It is crucial for their survival
• What is soil pH's role in ecosystems?

  It affects nutrient availability for plants
• How does the introduction of new biotic factors affect ecosystems?

  It can change species interactions and population sizes
• What could be the result of a new predator in an ecosystem?

  It may decrease the population of prey species
• How does food availability influence competition among species?

  It can intensify competition for limited resources
• What is the significance of new pathogens in ecosystems?

  They can lead to declines in affected populations
• How can changes in the environment affect nutrient cycling?

  They can disrupt the balance of nutrient availability
• What is the relationship between abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem?

  They interact and influence each other
• What is the role of competition in ecosystems?

  It can limit population sizes
• How does the introduction of new species affect existing populations?

  It can lead to competition and changes in dynamics
• What could be the effect of a new food source on a community?

  It may increase the population sizes of certain species
• What are the potential impacts of environmental changes on ecosystems?

  • Alter species interactions
  • Change population dynamics
  • Affect nutrient cycling
  • Influence community structure
• What could a change in the environment introduce?

  A new biotic factor
• How can changes in the environment affect populations?

  They can affect the size of populations
• What is a knock-on effect in ecological terms?

  It is a secondary effect caused by changes
• What could a new predator cause in a community?

  An increase in the prey population
• How do red and gray squirrels interact in the same habitat?

  They compete for the same food
• What happens to the population of red squirrels when gray squirrels are present?

  The population of red squirrels decreases
• What are the effects of a new pathogen on species populations?

  • Can decrease prey populations
  • Can lead to extinction of vulnerable species
  • Alters community dynamics
• What trend was observed in the population size of species A until 1986?

  It was increasing
• What happened to the population of species A after 1986?

  It decreased rapidly until 1990
• What does the data suggest about the year 1985 for species A?

  It was when a new pathogen arrived
• What occurred to the population of species A after 1990?

  It started to rise again
• What are the two biotic factors that could affect the size of the cutthroat trout population?

  1. Introduction of new predators
  2. Competition with other species
• What is the topic of the last section in the study material?

  Ecology