ABI

OTIC
FAC
TOR
S

What non-living factors influence the distribution of organisms in

a habitat?
LIGHT INTENSITY

TEMPERATURE

Producers (plants) require light for

photosynthesis
If low light levels of light are available in a
certain habitat, plant populations which
survive these conditions will thrive.
Light can be absorbed at different
wavelengths, reflecting back unused
wavelengths as colour. This can affect the
quality of sunlight for aquatic ecosystems,
where blue and red light is absorbed, but it
cannot penetrate deep water.
Some producers flower at a certain time
during the year, and the duration of the
dark period is crucial to flowering. There are
short-day plants, and long-day plants.
Therefore, a habitat that has more than 12

WATER AVAILABILITY
Water
o
o
o

availability is Influenced by:

Precipitation
Rate of evaporation
Rate of loss by drainage through the soil
(edaphic)
All living organisms require water; therefore a limited
supply of it can affect the ecosystem.
Lack of water could lead to death from dehydration
(unless they are adapted to dry conditions e.g Camel
& Cactus)
Some animals have sweat glands used as a cooling
device

OXYGEN AVAILABILITY

Dependent on the supply within water and soil

(edaphic)
If the water is cold/fast flowing/ -> sufficient
amount of oxygen
If the water is hot/still/stagnant -> oxygen
content will drop
Soil is well aerated spaces between soil
particles contain air -> oxygen available for
respiration of plant roots
If waterlogged -> spaces are filled with water,

In every organism, there is

an optimum range of
temperatures that allow
growth and reproduction.
The extremes of temperature
determine where an
organisms habitat may be.
This can affect enzymecontrolled reactions within
plants and exothermic
animals.
Endotherms must be able to
live in temperatures which
are not too high or low, so
they can control their core
body temperatures.
Cold-blooded animals need
to survive in a climate, in
which their body can adapt
to.
Some animals hibernate

WIND AND WATER CURRENTS

Wind increases water and heat loss from the

body -> environmental stress
Strong winds -> fewer species can survive
Strong water currents, leads to more
environmental stress, because of the strong
force, which would require organisms that
are strong swimmers.
Wind dispersal aids dispersal of pollen
grains of some plants and dispersal of
insects.

EDAPHIC FACTORS (SOIL)

Sand > loose shifting, little to grow in it,

contain very few nutrients for plant
growth -> plants with an extensive root
network, are adapted to physiological
drought conditions
Loam -> particles of a large range of
sizes less prone to leaching (minerals
escaping rapidly through water loss)
pH affects the mineral availability and
influences growth and development of
the plants.