Question

What are some abiotic factors that affect freshwater biomes? Explain.

a) Wind and sunlight affect water temperature and oxygen levels.
b) Soil composition and altitude affect nutrient cycling.
c) Salinity and pH levels influence aquatic plant growth.
d) Ocean currents and tides impact sedimentation.

Answer 1

Abiotic factors such as salinity, sunlight, and the properties of water critically influence freshwater biomes, affecting the survivability and distribution of organisms within these ecosystems (option a).

Step-by-step explanation:

There are multiple abiotic factors that affect freshwater biomes, impacting the organisms that inhabit them:

• Salinity levels are critical as freshwater organisms cannot tolerate high salt concentrations. A significant increase in salinity can lead to the decline or death of these organisms.
• Sunlight is essential for photosynthetic organisms, which form the base of the food web. If sunlight is obscured, for instance by algal blooms, it can lead to a reduction in oxygen levels, affecting all oxygen-dependent life forms.
• The physical and chemical properties of water, such as temperature, light absorption, and stratification due to density differences, influence nutrient cycling, energy flow, and the overall functioning of freshwater ecosystems.

Abiotic factors in these biomes play a significant role in determining the types of plants and animals that can survive and thrive within different freshwater environments.

Hence, the answer is option a