Changes in non-living factors, like temperature, light, water, and soil nutrients, can greatly affect the health of ecosystems and the variety of life within them. When these factors change, it can lead to serious problems for plants and animals that need certain conditions to survive.
Temperature Changes: When the temperature goes up, it can harm sensitive species like corals, causing them to bleach or even die. Many plants and animals can only handle a certain temperature range, making them at risk from climate change.
Water Availability: Long spells of dry weather or too much rain can upset the food web. For instance, lower water levels can mean fewer fish, which in turn affects the animals that depend on fish for food.
Soil Nutrients: Changes in the soil, whether from pollution or farming practices, can harm plant health. If plants are not healthy, it also puts herbivores at risk and can impact the entire food chain that relies on those plants.
These changes can upset the balance in ecosystems, leading to smaller populations, extinction of species, and loss of habitats. But there are ways we can help:
Although there are big challenges to face, taking action can help reduce the effects of changing non-living factors on ecosystems. This way, we can work to protect the variety of life on our planet.
Changes in non-living factors, like temperature, light, water, and soil nutrients, can greatly affect the health of ecosystems and the variety of life within them. When these factors change, it can lead to serious problems for plants and animals that need certain conditions to survive.
Temperature Changes: When the temperature goes up, it can harm sensitive species like corals, causing them to bleach or even die. Many plants and animals can only handle a certain temperature range, making them at risk from climate change.
Water Availability: Long spells of dry weather or too much rain can upset the food web. For instance, lower water levels can mean fewer fish, which in turn affects the animals that depend on fish for food.
Soil Nutrients: Changes in the soil, whether from pollution or farming practices, can harm plant health. If plants are not healthy, it also puts herbivores at risk and can impact the entire food chain that relies on those plants.
These changes can upset the balance in ecosystems, leading to smaller populations, extinction of species, and loss of habitats. But there are ways we can help:
Although there are big challenges to face, taking action can help reduce the effects of changing non-living factors on ecosystems. This way, we can work to protect the variety of life on our planet.