ABIOTIC EFFECTS AND ABIOTIC EFFECTS AND ADAPTATIONSADAPTATIONS

Jonathan S. RubioJonathan S. Rubio

BSD DLSU-DBSD DLSU-D

ObjectivesObjectives

Determine the properties and effects of Determine the properties and effects of light, temperature, water, wind, fire and light, temperature, water, wind, fire and soil.soil.

Discuss the adaptations of biotic factors as Discuss the adaptations of biotic factors as exposed to extreme abiotic factorsexposed to extreme abiotic factors

LightLight

is a form of is a form of electromagnetic radiation with with a a wavelength perceived by perceived by humans as the humans as the colour of the of the light (light (visible lightvisible light) or, non-) or, non-visible light such as: visible light such as: X-rays, , gamma rays, , ultraviolet light, , microwaves, and , and radio waves..

Electro Magnetic SpectrumElectro Magnetic Spectrum

Importance of LightImportance of Light

Needed in photosynthetic reactionNeeded in photosynthetic reactionForms the visionForms the visionForms the visual colorForms the visual colorMain source of global temperatureMain source of global temperatureSource of solar energy e.g. solar cellsSource of solar energy e.g. solar cellsAffects the morphological, behavioral and Affects the morphological, behavioral and

physiological characteristics of organisms. physiological characteristics of organisms.

Effects of LightEffects of Light Light is 10% reflected and 90% absorbed in aquatic Light is 10% reflected and 90% absorbed in aquatic

while it is reflected as thermal infrared in the terrestrial.while it is reflected as thermal infrared in the terrestrial. In Plants- photosynthetic reaction, photoperiodism, In Plants- photosynthetic reaction, photoperiodism,

transpiration, pigmentation, stomatal movement, nasty transpiration, pigmentation, stomatal movement, nasty movement.movement.

Effects of Light cont…Effects of Light cont…

In Animals- pigmentation, photokinesis or taxis, In Animals- pigmentation, photokinesis or taxis, circadian rhythm.circadian rhythm.

TemperatureTemperature

degree or amount of degree or amount of heat or coldness heat or coldness measured by measured by thermometer.thermometer.

Importance of TemperatureImportance of Temperature

Regulates the metabolism, morphology and Regulates the metabolism, morphology and physical activities of plants and animals e.g. physical activities of plants and animals e.g. Plant-transpiration, absorption, germination, Plant-transpiration, absorption, germination, growth; Animals- Allen’s rule, pigmentation, growth; Animals- Allen’s rule, pigmentation, growth.growth.

Interacts with other environmental factors Interacts with other environmental factors such as altitude, color of the ground.such as altitude, color of the ground.

Affects the distribution of plants and Affects the distribution of plants and animals.animals.

Source of thermal or heat energy.Source of thermal or heat energy.

Global Temperature ClassificationGlobal Temperature Classification

Megatherms- refers to tropics with long Megatherms- refers to tropics with long period of seasons e.g. Tropical Rain Forestperiod of seasons e.g. Tropical Rain Forest

Mesotherms- refers to temperate Mesotherms- refers to temperate countrieswith alternating high and low countrieswith alternating high and low temperatures.temperatures.

Microtherms- low temperatures prevail and Microtherms- low temperatures prevail and vegetation is coniferous e.g. Taigavegetation is coniferous e.g. Taiga

Hekistotherms- areas with very low Hekistotherms- areas with very low temperatures e.g tundra, polar ice caps.temperatures e.g tundra, polar ice caps.

• Animals are either warm blooded (homoiotherm) or cold blooded

(poikilotherm)

Temperature in AnimalsTemperature in Animals

Effects of Temperature to PlantsEffects of Temperature to Plants Plants are classified according to their Plants are classified according to their

energy synthesis and temperature such as: energy synthesis and temperature such as: C4- plants adapted to hot, bright and fairly C4- plants adapted to hot, bright and fairly

dry climate e.g. corn, sugarcane;dry climate e.g. corn, sugarcane; C3 plants adapted to cool moist and shady C3 plants adapted to cool moist and shady

environment e.g. herbs, shrubs, treesenvironment e.g. herbs, shrubs, trees Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM)- Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM)-

plants adapted to very dry climates e.g. plants adapted to very dry climates e.g. cactuscactus

Effects of Temperature to AnimalsEffects of Temperature to Animals

Animals- are classified as Animals- are classified as warm blooded vs. cold blooded; warm blooded vs. cold blooded; Homeotherm vs. poikilotherm implies an Homeotherm vs. poikilotherm implies an

animal that can maintain a specific body animal that can maintain a specific body temperature versus an animal that has a temperature versus an animal that has a body temperature that varies with the body temperature that varies with the ambient temperature; ambient temperature;

Endotherm vs. ectotherm implies an animal Endotherm vs. ectotherm implies an animal that produces its own heat from within that produces its own heat from within versus one that does not.versus one that does not.

Effects of Temperature to Effects of Temperature to MicroorganismsMicroorganisms

Microorganisms are classified as Microorganisms are classified as thermophiles (can tolerate 40 to 90 thermophiles (can tolerate 40 to 90 ooC; C; mesophiles (10-45 mesophiles (10-45 ooC);C); psychrophiles(-5 – 40 psychrophiles(-5 – 40 ooC).C).

WaterWater

most abundant substance inside the most abundant substance inside the organisms and environment. organisms and environment.

75% of the earth surface is covered with 75% of the earth surface is covered with waterwater

97% Marine water, 97% Marine water, 2% solid water in glaciers and snow2% solid water in glaciers and snow<1% liquid water in lakes,rivers and <1% liquid water in lakes,rivers and

streamsstreams

Ecological Types of WaterEcological Types of Water

Atmospheric water- water vapor in humidityAtmospheric water- water vapor in humidity Precipitation-rain, snow, glaciers etc.Precipitation-rain, snow, glaciers etc. soil water- water on the surface and ground soil water- water on the surface and ground

(water table)(water table) Bodies of water (e.g. ponds, lakes, streams, Bodies of water (e.g. ponds, lakes, streams,

rivers, seas and ocean)rivers, seas and ocean)

Importance and Properties of Importance and Properties of WaterWater

ImportanceImportance PropertiesProperties Regulates temperature Regulates temperature High specific heat High specific heat

and vaporizationand vaporization Universal solvent Universal solvent Presence of H+ and OH- Presence of H+ and OH- Medium for transport Medium for transport Cohesiveness, Cohesiveness,

of materials of materials cohesion, less cohesion, less viscousviscous Source of energy Source of energy High densityHigh density e.g. hydroelectric. e.g. hydroelectric. Raw materials for Raw materials for Chemical bond of HChemical bond of H

Photosynthesis Photosynthesis and O and O Breaks down materials Breaks down materials Acts as polar and e.g. e.g. Acts as polar and e.g. e.g.

hydrolysishydrolysis slightly acidic and basicslightly acidic and basic

Importance of WaterImportance of Water

suitable habitat for various aquatic

organisms - has surface tension

causing the organism to stay in surface

Types of plants based on water requirements :Types of plants based on water requirements :

- Xerophytes - grow on areas Xerophytes - grow on areas with little amount of water with little amount of water

- Mesophytes - grow on areas Mesophytes - grow on areas with moderate amount of waterwith moderate amount of water

Hydrophytes – more than Hydrophytes – more than enough requirement of waterenough requirement of water

Halophytes - water with saltHalophytes - water with salt

Hydrogen bonding

Ice, water, vapor

Hydrogen bonding (electric attraction)

Ice Liquid

Water-soluble protein

“Dissociation” of water

pH

pH = – log [H+]

Log scale means 10X change per unit!

[H+]= 10-1M

[H+]= 10-9 M

Effects of Water

Plants and Animals in minimal water tend to become: water storer- succulent leaves and stem water escaper- resurrecting plants, estivate water conserver- water metabolism, fat dissolver

Plants and Animals in abundance of water tend to become: water regulator adapt an osmotic processes

WindWind

Nature of WindNature of Wind -horizontal or vertical -horizontal or vertical

movement of air or movement of air or gases on the surface of gases on the surface of the ground.the ground.

-depends on the -depends on the topography, vegetation topography, vegetation masses, position of masses, position of seashores, and major seashores, and major wind paths and region wind paths and region of calmsof calms

Sources of WindSources of Wind -formed due to uneven heating of land and water -formed due to uneven heating of land and water

causing vertical movement of gases causing vertical movement of gases -large temperature differences between the equator -large temperature differences between the equator

and the polesand the poles rotational movement of earthrotational movement of earth Coriolis effectCoriolis effect

Importance of WindImportance of Wind

Serve as medium for the Serve as medium for the transport of materials e.g. transport of materials e.g. pollination, cloud transport, pollination, cloud transport, rainfall,rainfall,

Affects all diffusion of gases Affects all diffusion of gases between organisms and between organisms and atmosphere.atmosphere.

Affects the morphology and Affects the morphology and habit of organisms.habit of organisms.

Effects of WindEffects of Wind

Plants in windy places are often shaped by Plants in windy places are often shaped by wind forming a wind –brushed or flag tree; have wind forming a wind –brushed or flag tree; have stunted growth and leaf damage, lodging stunted growth and leaf damage, lodging (process being laid flat on the ground), (process being laid flat on the ground),

Animals- tend to have thick hides, hair, and Animals- tend to have thick hides, hair, and shelter in caves or under the rock. shelter in caves or under the rock.

Land and Aquatic- wind causes abrasion, Land and Aquatic- wind causes abrasion, erosion and salt sprayerosion and salt spray

Wind SpeedWind Speed

expressed in kilometers per hour.expressed in kilometers per hour. Strong breezeStrong breeze 40-60 kph40-60 kph Gales (Strong wind)Gales (Strong wind) 60-90 kph60-90 kph StormsStorms 90-120 kph90-120 kph Hurricanes or Typhoons Hurricanes or Typhoons >120 kph>120 kph

Fire FactorFire Factor

natural fire caused by lightning, natural fire caused by lightning, volcanic eruptions, or friction of dried volcanic eruptions, or friction of dried twigs and burning of dried leaves due twigs and burning of dried leaves due to thermal heat.to thermal heat.

-anthropogenic caused of fire can be -anthropogenic caused of fire can be accidental or controlled application of accidental or controlled application of fire in the ecosystem.fire in the ecosystem.

Fire can burn at three levelsFire can burn at three levels

Ground fires burn the litter and herbaceous Ground fires burn the litter and herbaceous plants in the soil. plants in the soil.

Surface fires -burn the shrubs, herbs and Surface fires -burn the shrubs, herbs and bases of trees. bases of trees.

Crown fires- burn the canopy of trees and Crown fires- burn the canopy of trees and most destructive. most destructive.

Ecosystems may experience mostly one level Ecosystems may experience mostly one level of fire or a mix of the three.of fire or a mix of the three.

Effects of FireEffects of Fire• Destroys the vegetation by burning down all Destroys the vegetation by burning down all

vegetation and drive all away animals.vegetation and drive all away animals.• Plants with scars caused by fire will be prone to Plants with scars caused by fire will be prone to

disease and parasites attackeddisease and parasites attacked• Eliminates diseases and pest such as fungi, Eliminates diseases and pest such as fungi,

nematodes. insectsnematodes. insects• Favors the growth of fire resistant plants e.g. Favors the growth of fire resistant plants e.g.

cogon grasscogon grass• Returns the organic materials to the soil and Returns the organic materials to the soil and

atmosphereatmosphere• Aerate the soil with carbon dioxideAerate the soil with carbon dioxide• Alters the light intensity, precipitation and Alters the light intensity, precipitation and

nutrient cycle once the area is cleared by firenutrient cycle once the area is cleared by fire

Ecological Importance of fireEcological Importance of fire

Removes competition of surviving plants, Removes competition of surviving plants, pests, parasitism and diseases.pests, parasitism and diseases.

Increases light intensity Increases light intensity Modifies the pH, elements and organic Modifies the pH, elements and organic

materials of the soil.materials of the soil. Controls the weeds, and maintains the Controls the weeds, and maintains the

grassland and sugarcane plantationgrassland and sugarcane plantation

SoilSoil

Nature of SoilNature of Soil natural product formed natural product formed

from weathering of from weathering of rocks by the action of rocks by the action of climate and living climate and living organisms. organisms.

composition of soil: composition of soil: water- 25%, gases- water- 25%, gases- 25%, minerals- 40%25%, minerals- 40%(e.g. silicon, aluminum, (e.g. silicon, aluminum, calcium), organic calcium), organic materials -10%.materials -10%.

Soil TypesSoil TypesCan be classified as :Can be classified as : residual soil-residual soil- formed formed

where weathering takes where weathering takes place) place)

transported soil-moved transported soil-moved from the place by the from the place by the action of wind, gravity, action of wind, gravity, water etc.water etc.

Example of Transported Example of Transported soil: soil:

alluvial-soil deposited by alluvial-soil deposited by river flow; river flow;

colluvial- deposited by colluvial- deposited by gravity or landslide; gravity or landslide;

glacial- deposited by glacial- deposited by glaciers; glaciers;

eolian- deposited by wind.eolian- deposited by wind.

Soil ProfileSoil Profile

refers to the horizon or vertical refers to the horizon or vertical layering of soil.layering of soil.

O horizon- organic layer O horizon- organic layer partly decomposed debrispartly decomposed debris

A Horizon- topsoil with A Horizon- topsoil with maximum humus layer dark maximum humus layer dark coloredcolored

B Horizon- subsoil next B Horizon- subsoil next layer where maximum layer where maximum leaching takes place.leaching takes place.

C horizon- last mineral C horizon- last mineral layer composed of layer composed of incomplete fragment of incomplete fragment of rocksrocks..

Soil Particles-refers to the texture or size of the particlesSoil Particles-refers to the texture or size of the particles

clay-particles with clay-particles with diameter less than diameter less than 0.002 mm0.002 mm

silt- particles with silt- particles with diameters between diameters between 0.002 and 0.02 mm0.002 and 0.02 mm

sand- particles with sand- particles with diameter between 0.02 diameter between 0.02 to 2mm.to 2mm.

Loam- is used to describe Loam- is used to describe mixtures of different mixtures of different size classes of soil size classes of soil particles.particles.

Soil PorositySoil Porosity--refers to the spaces or cavities between soil refers to the spaces or cavities between soil particles that contain air.particles that contain air.

There are two types:There are two types: Micropores- space diameter up to 20 Micropores- space diameter up to 20

μm can hold water and known as μm can hold water and known as capillary porescapillary pores

Macropores- space diameter up to 20 –Macropores- space diameter up to 20 –50 μm cannot hold water and known as 50 μm cannot hold water and known as non-capillary poresnon-capillary pores

Soil Water- refers to the water trapped by Soil Water- refers to the water trapped by the soilthe soil

Importance of SoilImportance of Soil

• Source of anchorage, water, and minerals.Source of anchorage, water, and minerals.• Influence plant activities such as Influence plant activities such as

germination of seeds, woodiness of stem, germination of seeds, woodiness of stem, vigor of vegetative parts.vigor of vegetative parts.

• Serve as shelter of animals, storage of Serve as shelter of animals, storage of waste and source of food.waste and source of food.

TopographyTopography

concerned with the physical geography of concerned with the physical geography of the surface of the earth caused by the surface of the earth caused by diastrophism. diastrophism.

- diastrophism is the movement of the - diastrophism is the movement of the solid portion of the earth caused by solid portion of the earth caused by volcanic activities or rock deformation volcanic activities or rock deformation due to thermal pressure.due to thermal pressure.

Types of TopographyTypes of Topography

AltitudeAltitude Steepness of slopeSteepness of slope exposure to sunlightexposure to sunlight direction of mountain chains and valleys direction of mountain chains and valleys

Importance of TopographyImportance of Topography

• Influence the vegetation by producing Influence the vegetation by producing variations in the climate of geographical variations in the climate of geographical region.region.

• affects the climatic factors e.g. increase in affects the climatic factors e.g. increase in altitude causes low temperature (1o C lower altitude causes low temperature (1o C lower per 100 meter above sea level), increase per 100 meter above sea level), increase moisture and high wind velocity, higher moisture and high wind velocity, higher insulation, local mountain and valley breezesinsulation, local mountain and valley breezes

Effects of TopographyEffects of Topography

• Forms the tree line (edge of the forest at high Forms the tree line (edge of the forest at high altitude or latitude beyond which no tree can altitude or latitude beyond which no tree can grow)grow)

• degree of slope influences the soil structure degree of slope influences the soil structure and behavior, swift run-off water.and behavior, swift run-off water.

• Sunfacing slope with moist wind has Sunfacing slope with moist wind has mesophylous plant (plant requiring mesophylous plant (plant requiring moderate amount of water) while nonsunfacing moderate amount of water) while nonsunfacing slope with dry has xerophylous plant slope with dry has xerophylous plant (requiring small amount of water)(requiring small amount of water)

• Mountains chains interfere drastically with Mountains chains interfere drastically with continental air circulation.continental air circulation.