Question

Edaphic factor refers to
A. Water
B. Soil
C. Relative humidity
D. Altitude

Answer 1

Hint: Edaphic factor is inclusive of all the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil as an outcome from biological and geologic processes or anthropogenic activities. The ecology and evolution of plants and their connected habitat is greatly affected by the physical and chemical properties of the soil.

Complete answer:
Let’s discuss the options and find out the correct answer.
A. Water: Water has nothing to do with the Edaphic factor. Water is a substance composed of two elements, hydrogen and oxygen. It is found in all the three states of matter, solid, liquid and gas. It is a tasteless, colourless and odourless liquid capable of dissolving many other substances. It is one of the most useful and important compounds in our life without which one can barely survive.
B. Soil: Soil is related to the Edaphic factor. Edaphic factors are categorized under the lifeless things affecting an ecosystem. Some of the soil factors included under Edaphic factors are soil texture, mineral composition, topography and many others. These factors can affect the arrangement, interrelationship of organisms and rate of decaying.
C. Relative humidity: Relative humidity has nothing connected to Edaphic factor. Relative humidity is the measure of the amount of water vapour present in air, expressed as a percentage of maximum amount of vapour that could be present in the air at that particular temperature. It depends on the temperature and pressure of the given environment. A particular amount of water vapour will result in higher relative humidity in cool air as compared to hot air.
D. Altitude: Altitude is the measure of vertical distance between datum line and the point or object under consideration.
Hence, option B: Soil is the correct answer.

Note: The Edaphic factor related to the Biosphere is soil. The ecosystem can be divided into two factors namely, biotic and abiotic. Soil is the abiotic edaphic factor in the ecosystem.