1. Abiotic Factors That Affect Populations
Gaiser Life Science

2. Know
What abiotic factors cause population sizes to change?
“I don’t know anything.” is not an acceptable answer.
Use complete sentences.
Evidence
After listening to the PowerPoint lecture, come back here and list evidence to explain why your answer to the above question is or is not a good answer. You may also use other outside sources to help you respond.
Answer the following questions.
1. Predict what may happen to an ecosystem if abiotic factors change.
2. What would happen if one or more populations are removed from or added to an ecosystem?
Page #

3. Abiotic Factors That Affect Populations
Information
Clarifying ?s
- non-living parts of an ecosystem
abiotic factors
Example: H2O, sunlight, O2, temperature, soil
6 types of abiotic factors
1. Water - needed by all living things to carry out life processes
Example: digestion
2. Sunlight - necessary for plant life to occur
3. Pollution - Alters water quality - affects H2O dependent organisms ability to survive
4. Oxygen - Important for animals with lungs or gills to breathe
5. Temperature - determines what type of animal can live in an area
Examples: polar bear vs camel
6. Soil type - minerals in the soil influence what type of plants can grow.
Example: The bleeding heart needs slightly acidic soil. Asparagus needs slightly alkaline soil
population
- all members of one species in a certain area.
Example: Black bears in Yellowstone Park
Summary:
Page #

5. Abiotic Factors That Affect Populations
Information
Clarifying ?s
- non-living parts of an ecosystem
abiotic factors
Example: H2O, sunlight, O2, temperature, soil
6 types of abiotic factors
1. Water - needed by all living things to carry out life processes
Example: digestion
2. Sunlight - necessary for plant life to occur
3. Pollution - Alters water quality - affects H2O dependent organisms ability to survive
4. Oxygen - Important for animals with lungs or gills to breathe
5. Temperature - determines what type of animal can live in an area
Examples: polar bear vs camel
6. Soil type - minerals in the soil influence what type of plants can grow.
Example: The bleeding heart needs slightly acidic soil. Asparagus needs slightly alkaline soil
population
- all members of one species in a certain area.
Example: Black bears in Yellowstone Park
Page #
Summary:

6. This PowerPoint was created by Tim Paterek from Charlene Shea’s lecture notes. All pictures came from Google Image Search. To fall within the Fair Use Guidelines, this PowerPoint must be used within the confines of the classroom and may not be published back onto the Internet unless the pictures are removed.