How Abiotic Factors Present In an Ecosystem Affect the Organisms

        Physical factors affecting organisms can be divided into 4 main categories:

• Climatic – temperature, light, wind and water availability
• Edaphic – factors related with soil
• Topographic – altitude, aspect and inclination
• Others – wave action etc

Temperature

        Environmental temperatures influence the ability of organisms in an environment to survive and reproduce, especially if the organisms are ectotherms (cold blooded), e.g. the determination of sex in alligator and crocodile eggs. Most living organisms have an optimum temperature range within which they can survive (optimum rate of reaction and enzyme activity). The main source of heat is the sun via radiation. This factor will be affected by the habitat’s latitude, the season of the year, time of the day and its aspect.

        Very low temperatures cause damage to cells due to formation of ice crystals and very high temperatures denature enzymes. Due to the high specific heat capacity of water, aquatic habitats have more stable temperatures than terrestrial ones.

Light

        Light is essential for the maintenance of life. This is because all primary producers (green plants) depend on light to photosynthesise. All consumers rely directly or indirectly on producers for their energy source. In aquatic habitats the depth of penetration of light affects the distribution of organisms. The main importance of light to animals is its photoperiod. The duration of light determines the activity of some animals.

Wind

        Wind affects organisms through its interaction with other physical factors. It affects the growth of vegetation in coastal areas as prevailing winds determine rainfall. Wind speeds up the process of evapotranspiration that may be harmful to the organisms present or cause rainfall. Some reproductive mechanisms of plants are dependant on dispersal by wind, therefore, it may be essential to them to maintain continuity.