Measuring abiotic factors and sampling organisms.
Woodlands, ponds, lochs and moors are all examples of ECOSYSTEMS.
An ecosystem includes all living things, their non - living surroundings
and the factors that affect their lives.
Biotic factors
All the factors related to living organisms e.g. disease, food and
hunting. (REMEMBER - Bio = Life)
Abiotic factors
All the factors related to non - living things e.g. temperature, moisture,
light and pH (REMEMBER - Abio = without life)
Moisture and light can be measured using a meter with a sensor for
light and a probe for moisture.
Using a light meter
1. Set meter to light position
2. Hold meter on surface of ground so that light sensor is pointing to
light source
3. Make sure your shadow doesn't cover the sensor
4. Take reading once pointer is still
Using a moisture meter
1. Set meter to moisture position
2. Push probe into soil
3. Take reading once pointer is still
When measuring abiotic factors always take several readings and work
out an average to improve reliablity of results.
The place an organism lives is called its HABITAT. Using sampling we
can get some idea of the numbers and kinds of organisms living in an
ecosystem.
Small animals moving across the surface of the soil can be
sampled using a pitfall trap.