BIOL 2101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Environmental Factor, Ecotone
13 Nov 2016
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Document Summary
A core subject matter of ecology is the study of the kinds of environmental influences that affect organisms/ecosystems. Environmental factors may be classified as being abiotic (inorganic) or biotic and associated with influences of organisms. Species vary greatly in their optimum and ranges of tolerance of environmental factors. Environmental factors affect organisms by modifying their physiology, development, growth, reproduction, and behaviour. Clearly, environmental context and opportunity are important factors that influence success in life, and this is true for all organisms. Typically, only one or a few factors are exerting a dominant influence, with others having a relatively minor effect. Principle of lf states that certain ecological processes are controlled by whichever environmental factor is present in the least supply relative to the demand for it. Within a range, zones can be defined in terms of their effect on the rates of various ecological functions (metabolism, growth of populations, productivity, or decomposition)
