Environmental Factors
Environmental factors encompass the non-genetic influences that affect an organism's development, survival, and behavior. They include:
Abiotic Factors:
- Physical: Temperature, light, humidity, precipitation, air pressure, soil chemistry
- Chemical: Pollutants, nutrients, toxins, greenhouse gases
Biotic Factors:
- Living organisms: Other plants and animals, competitors, predators, prey, parasites, mutualists
- Ecosystem features: Habitat structure, resource availability, ecosystem dynamics
Other Factors:
- Social: Population density, social interactions, territoriality
- Natural events: Earthquakes, floods, fires, volcanic eruptions
- Human activities: Pollution, climate change, habitat fragmentation, resource extraction
Impacts of Environmental Factors:
Environmental factors can:
- Affect growth, development, and reproduction
- Determine habitat suitability and species distribution
- Influence behavior, such as feeding, mating, and communication
- Influence genetic variation and evolution
- Impact ecosystem functioning and biodiversity
Understanding environmental factors is crucial for:
- Ecological research and conservation efforts
- Predicting the effects of environmental change
- Assessing the vulnerabilities and resilience of species and ecosystems