Abiotic factors of the environment are determined by climatic conditions, as well as by soil and water.
Classification
There are several classifications of abiotic factors. One of the most popular divides them into such components:
Abiotic environmental factors significantly influence the distribution of species and determine their range, i.e. The geographical zone, which is the habitat of certain organisms.
Temperature
Particular importance is given to the temperature, sincethis is the most important indicator. Depending on the temperature, the abiotic factors of the environment are distinguished by the thermal belts with which the life of organisms in nature is connected. It is a cold, temperate, tropical and subtropical belt. The temperature, which is favorable for the life of organisms, is called optimal. Almost all organisms are able to live in the range 0 ° - 50 ° C.
Depending on the ability of living organisms to exist under different temperature conditions, they are classified as:
Eurythermal organisms livingmainly where the continental climate prevails. These organisms are able to withstand severe temperature fluctuations (Diptera larvae, bacteria, algae, helminths). Some eurythermal organisms may fall into a state of hibernation, if the temperature factor becomes "tougher". The metabolism in this state is significantly reduced (badgers, bears, etc.).
Stenotermal organisms can be found in both plants and animals. For example, most marine animals survive at temperatures up to 30 ° C.
Animals are divided by their ability to maintainown thermoregulation, i.e. constant body temperature, on the so-called poikilothermic and homeothermic. The former can change their temperature, whereas in the latter, it is always constant. All mammals and a number of birds are homeothermic animals. All organisms are considered to be poikilothermic, except for some species of birds and mammals. Their body temperature is close to the ambient temperature. In the course of evolution, animals related to homoiothermal have adapted to protect themselves from cold (hibernation, migration, fur, etc.).
Shine
Abiotic factors of the environment are light and itsintensity. Its importance is especially great for photosynthetic plants. The level of photosynthesis is affected by the intensity of solar radiation, the qualitative composition of light, the distribution of light in time. However, bacteria and fungi are known, which can multiply for a long time in complete darkness. Plants are divided into light-loving, heat-enduring and thermophilic.
For many animals, the duration of a light day is important, which affects the sexual function, increasing it during a long day of light and depressing it on a short light day (autumn or winter).
Humidity
Humidity is a complex factor andis the amount of water vapor in the air and water in the soil. From the moisture level depends the life span of cells, and, accordingly, the whole organism. The soil moisture is affected by the amount of precipitation, the depth of water in the soil, and other conditions. Moisture is necessary for the dissolution of minerals.
Abiotic factors of the aquatic environment
Chemical factors are not inferior in importancephysical factors. A big role belongs to the gas composition of the atmosphere, as well as the composition of the aquatic environment. Almost all organisms need oxygen, and a number of organisms - in nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide or methane.
Physical abiotic factors of the environmentrepresents a gas composition that is extremely important for those living things that live in an aquatic environment. In the waters of the Black Sea, for example, there is a lot of hydrogen sulfide, because of what this pool is considered not very favorable for many organisms. Salinity is an important component of the aquatic environment. Most aquatic animals live in saline waters, fewer in fresh water, and even less in slightly brackish water. Distribution and reproduction of aquatic animals is affected by the ability to maintain the salt composition of the internal environment.
