Many factors affect living organisms and they can be grouped into; Biotic (living factors) and Abiotic factors (non-living factors).
- The abiotic factors:
It is the form of non living part of the habitat e.g. sunlight, water, wind etc.
Effects of sunlight
- On plant;
- It is needed for photosynthesis needed for the manufacturing of chlorophyll in plants
- It influences plant growth
- 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
- On plant;
- It is needed for seed germination
- It is also needed for photosynthesis
- Help in fruit and seed dispersal
- On animals;
- Provides a habitat for many aquatic animals like fishes
- Important for digestion in man
- Forms part of blood
Effect of wind
- 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
- 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
- On plants
- High temperature increases the rate of fruit ripening
- Low temperature causes poor growth in plants
- Increases the rate of photosynthesis
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.