Question

Define the term Ecological Factor?

Answer 1

Hint:-In an environment, different plant or animal populations, comprising a large number of respective organisms, can be seen together in an ecosystem. Hence, the organisms belonging to different populations co-exist within an ecosystem of the environment. Many physical, chemical and biological factors can directly or indirectly influence the lives of organisms in one way or the other.

Complete Answer:-Ecological factors are defined as the variables present in an environment that can influence the organisms living in that environment and contribute to their specific behaviours. Ecological factors can be grouped into several categories including climatic factors, edaphic factors, biotic and topographic factors.
Climatic factors include temperature, light, wind, water, and humidity. All these factors are needed in the optimal quantities for the proper growth and functioning of the organisms. Edaphic factors include the factors associated with soil. The physical and chemical composition of soil in any place is equally important for the survival and development of different organisms living there. Topographic factors are those related to the surface features of the earth in that particular region. The terrain of any place can often influence other factors like temperature, rain, humidity of that region. Topographic factors include latitude, altitude, and steepness of the mountain. Biotic factors include the interactions among living organisms like plants and animals. These include inter-specific (between two species) as well as intra-specific (within a species).
The relations among organisms or populations can be positive like mutualism, commensalism where both organisms dependent on each other are benefited. However, in case of negative interactions, one organism is benefited and the other is harmed. This sort of interaction can be observed in case of parasitism or ammensalism.

Note:- Ecological factors are components of the environment that can influence the organisms directly or indirectly. They can be broadly classified into biotic include intraspecific or interspecific relations and abiotic factors (non-living factors) like temperature, soil, pH, sunlight, and humidity.