Abiotic Factors in Ecosystems – Water

#ecosystems #ngscience.com #ngscience #water
Visit ngscience.com for related resources on ecosystems.

Water is essential to all life on Earth. The availability of clean, fresh water has a large influence on the components of an ecosystem.

Plants need water to make food during photosynthesis. Plants also use water to transport food and minerals to all parts of the plant. The amount of water in an ecosystem therefore affects the abundance and diversity of plants in an ecosystem.

Generally, ecosystems with high precipitation in the form of rain will support a greater diversity of organisms. In a rainforest, it rains all year round. A great diversity of plants, animals and fungi thrive in these moist conditions.

In deserts and tundras, there is much less water available. Organisms in these ecosystems often have adaptations to survive with little water.

All animals need water to survive. Water is used for the transportation of nutrients and oxygen, temperature regulation and the removal of wastes. Most animals get the water they need by drinking water. Some animals get water from the food they eat.

In some ecosystems, animals live in bodies of fresh water such as streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. Water can also play an important role in the reproduction of many insects and amphibians.

Check out our related videos to find discover how other abiotic factors like temperature and the amount of sunlight can affect ecosystems.