Student Blog Post Assignment #4
Some abiotic factors that affect our plants are sunlight and temperature. Another important factor is the soil. If the soil around the plant has lots of nutrients, it will thrive, but if it doesn't, the plant may struggle. Biotic factors are the organisms around the plant such as insects that eat its leaves or other plants that compete with it for nutrients.
Plants are competing when there are other plants in their niche in their area. Our plants compete against the weeds and other plants around them for various things the need. They may be competing for nutrients, sunlight, water, etc.
The winners and losers in the war that is competition can sometimes be clear, such as when one plant dies and one lives. Sometimes, however, it is more difficult. If both of the plants live, then the healthier one is winning, but things can change over time. In addition, it might not be so easy to see which plant is really healthier. It can also be difficult to see who wins if you don't know what winning is. Some plants may have a shorter lifespan, but reproduce more to carry on their species. If both plants die, how do you determine which was a more effective plant? Obviously it isn't always clear who 'wins' and who 'loses' in nature.
Our plants, aside from competition, are involved in a parasitic relationship. The bugs that live around the romanescoe eat the leaves of our plants. They hinder its growth and make it less healthy. For most plants a few insects are not much of a problem, and will not kill it, but if one of our less healthy plants is unlucky, the parasites could slowly destroy it completely.
Succession, or a similar process, is definitely going on in the garden. While it started as a few small organisms, there are now many species living in the area, and it's only going to go up from there. Because there was soil to start with, this is an example of secondary succession. The pioneer organisms that arrived there first died, filled the soil with nutrients, and paved the way for many more complex creatures.
Our plants, aside from competition, are involved in a parasitic relationship. The bugs that live around the romanescoe eat the leaves of our plants. They hinder its growth and make it less healthy. For most plants a few insects are not much of a problem, and will not kill it, but if one of our less healthy plants is unlucky, the parasites could slowly destroy it completely.
Succession, or a similar process, is definitely going on in the garden. While it started as a few small organisms, there are now many species living in the area, and it's only going to go up from there. Because there was soil to start with, this is an example of secondary succession. The pioneer organisms that arrived there first died, filled the soil with nutrients, and paved the way for many more complex creatures.
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