Many factors affect living organisms and they can be grouped into; Biotic (living factors) and Abiotic factors (non-living factors).

1. The abiotic factors:

   It is the form of non living part of the habitat e.g. sunlight, water, wind etc.

Effects of sunlight

1. On plant;

• It is needed for photosynthesis needed for the manufacturing of chlorophyll in plants
• It influences plant growth

2. On animals;

• Important in the production of vitamin D in humans on their skin
• Enables animals to see during the day
• Help in the production of melanin which protects us from ultra-violet light

Effect of water

1. On plant;

• It is needed for seed germination
• It is also needed for photosynthesis
• Help in fruit and seed dispersal

2. On animals;

• Provides a habitat for many aquatic animals like fishes
• Important for digestion in man
• Forms part of blood

Effect of wind

1.  On plant

• Helps in the dispersal of seed and fruits
• It increases the rate of transpiration in plant
• It helps in wind pollination of plants

2. On animals

• It increases the rate of evaporation of sweat from the body, thereby producing a cooling effect
• Strong winds may destroy houses making people homeless

Effect of temperature

1. On plants

• High temperature increases the rate of fruit ripening
• Low temperature causes poor growth in plants
• Increases the rate of photosynthesis

2. On animals

• Low temperature causes some animals to hibernate
• High temperature causes sweat in man
• Low temperatures cause hypothermia in animals

Effect of day and night

1. On animals

• Some animals are active only during the day. They are called diurnal animals e.g. honey bees, humans, cows etc.
• Some animals are only active at night. They are called nocturnal animals e.g. bats, owl, crickets etc.
• Most animals hunt in the day

2. On plant

• Plants carry out photosynthesis during the dat when sunlight is available
• Most plants open their stomata during the day and close at night

2. The biotic factors

These factors concern the living organisms in a habitat and how they affect each other. Living organisms in a habitat interact in many ways, some depend on others for food and shelter, some are harmful to the community and others useful.