Abiotic Factors and Their Influence

Abiotic components or abiotic factors are non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

Abiotic factors and the phenomena associated with them underpin biology as a whole.

Humans can make or change abiotic factors in a species' environment. For instance, fertilizers can affect a snail's habitat, or the greenhouse gases which humans utilize can change marine pH levels.

Abiotic components include physical conditions and non-living resources that affect living organisms in terms of growth, maintenance, and reproduction.

Component degradation of a substance occurs by chemical or physical processes, e.g. hydrolysis.

Examples of abiotic factors include temperature, sunlight, water availability, soil composition, and air quality. These factors can influence the survival, growth, and reproduction of organisms, as well as the overall structure and functioning of ecosystems.

The use of fertilizers can lead to an increase in nutrient levels in the soil, which can result in excessive algal growth in aquatic habitats. This can deplete oxygen levels in the water, making it difficult for snails and other aquatic organisms to survive.

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, can dissolve in the ocean and react with water to form carbonic acid. This leads to a decrease in pH levels, making the water more acidic. This change in pH can have detrimental effects on marine organisms, especially those with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons.

Abiotic factors can directly influence the availability of resources, such as water and nutrients, which are essential for the growth and development of organisms. They can also affect temperature, light levels, and other conditions necessary for maintaining physiological processes and reproductive cycles.

Abiotic factors refer to the physical and chemical conditions of the environment, while resources are substances or objects required by organisms for their survival and growth. Abiotic factors can directly affect the availability and quality of resources, which in turn can impact the fitness and success of organisms.