Biotic and Abiotic Factors in an Ecosystem Essay Example

by cloud cover. The environment has been significantly impacted by human activities, particularly through various economic activities. Klanderud, Vandvik, and Goldberg (5) suggest that agricultural practices, such as farming, have contributed to this impact. One key aspect is the farming practices' effect on soil pH. The use of fertilizers, which are often nitrogen-rich, results in the reaction of nitrogen with soil air, forming nitric oxide that combines with water to create nitric acid. Additionally, fluorocarbons are utilized to eliminate weeds and crop-damaging organisms like grasshoppers and moths. It is worth noting that human activities also influence the area's rainfall patterns. Environmental conservation has been a significant focus, with a strong emphasis on agroforestry. Many farm owners now dedicate at least twenty percent of their farms to planted trees, resulting in minimal soil erosion due to the dense forest cover.

Analysis and Discussion

In this habitat, various animal and plant species coexist and interact. One can observe the interactions between different organisms. Specifically, animals rely on plants for shelter, particularly insects which can be seen in the garden. The garden contains ant hills surrounding a small tree in its center. This arrangement offers protection to the tree against disturbances caused by other organisms such as humans. Additionally, the animals in this ecosystem depend on plants as a food source. They consume plants, while also acquiring nutrients from these animals when they die.

The interaction between the biotic and abiotic factors is undeniable. The plant relies on the soil to provide support and nutrients. Water, essential for food production, is transported from the roots to every part of the plant. Temperature is crucial for plant growth. Sunlight is necessary

for the process of photosynthesis. Moisture is required for plant growth. Living systems have direct and indirect impacts on abiotic systems. For instance, natural manipulation can indirectly affect rainfall. Activities such as tree planting, fertilizer use, and other farming practices have both positive and negative consequences for soil and temperature. Inorganic farming has increased soil pH. Farming methods have also caused soil erosion, which has been mitigated through increased tree planting efforts.

According to Klanderud, Vandvik, and Goldberg (8), the garden does not exhibit clear forms of symbiotic relationships between its various organisms. However, it is evident that these relationships do exist due to the dynamic interactive mechanisms. Mutualism, a symbiotic interface that benefits both organisms, can be observed vividly. The balanced existence of the garden's living phenomena can be attributed to mutualism, as the absence of it could result in the extinction of weaker species. Parasitism, a dependence system in which one organism relies entirely on another without benefiting it, is not directly evident in the garden. Commensalism, which occurs when an organism depends on another for various services without harming it (Klanderud, Vandvik, and Goldberg 13), requires a thorough examination of the other organisms. However, no instances of commensalism were identified throughout the study.

Various ways can be employed to improve the study of the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors. These improvements can be achieved by addressing the study's limitations, such as time constraints, limited area coverage, and the researcher's knowledge of living and non-living systems. The allotted eight to ten weeks for research is insufficient for obtaining reliable data on the biotic and abiotic factors' relationship in the environment. Therefore, it is recommended

to conduct a long-term project lasting more than a year to better understand the dynamics of organism interaction.

An area of three by three meters is a very small representation. It can only accommodate a limited number of organisms for study. Moreover, different types of relationships may not exist within such a small area. The researcher's knowledge and skill in data collection can also pose limitations to the study. Familiarity with a wide range of plant and animal species poses a challenge. However, this can be overcome through pre-study training to enhance data collection skills and increase reliability. Additionally, there is a need for further research on the naming systems of different organisms. This would improve data accuracy and validity.

Conclusion

In summary, there are various interactive mechanisms for both biotic and abiotic factors in the environment. These interactions can occur between biotic to biotic or biotic to abiotic factors. The interaction among biotic factors is extensive compared to that with abiotic factors. Biotic factors can have both positive and negative impacts on abiotic factors. Overall, the living and non-living components of the environment must play a mutual role in order to exist.

Work cited

The significance of abiotic and biotic factors in determining the composition of local plant communities along regional bioclimatic gradients was discussed by Klanderud, Kari, Vigdis Vandvik, and Deborah Goldberg in their article titled "The importance of biotic vs. abiotic drivers of local plant community composition along regional bioclimatic gradients" (PloS one 10.6, 2015, e0130205).