At the foundation of any habitat's existence are the abiotic components of the system which support the biota.  There are three major abiotic ingredients: water, radiant energy and chemical nutrients.



The climate presents the appropriate temperature, moisture, and nutrient patterns necessary for the survival of  the plants and animals found in the habitat.  Climate is determined by the interaction of solar radiation with the water, land masses and the rotation of the earth.  Local habitats will also be influenced by topography, orientation, and elevation. Abiotic nutrients are the chemicals necessary for an organism's growth and survival.  The habitat must supply the minimal requirements, but must not exceed the tolerance levels of its inhabitants.

All three of these major abiotic ingredients, water, temperature and nutrients, interact with one another and the biological organisms they support, producing soil and biogeochemical cycles.  There are a tremendous number of questions and activities your students can work with related to the abiotic portion of  habitat that can help them understand, adaptation, tolerance levels and other ways habitat contributes to the health of organisms.
 

Abiotic
Adaptations
Aspect
Biogeochemical cycles
Biota
Circadian rhythms
Climate
Homeostasis
Microclimate
Nutrients
Soil
Soil profile
Tolerance level
Topography
Radiant energy

1. Water chemistry: tradition field testing of such parameters as: dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, nitrates, phosphates, salinity, conductivity, and biological oxygen demand, using field test kits or probes.

2. Terbidity: measurements of the suspended solids in a water column.

3. Current and depth: measurements of the rate of  flow of water in a stream or river and depth of bodies of water.

4. Soil profile: determination of the soil profile of a location using a core sampler or a soil profile pit.

5. Soil typing: use of color charts and consistency measures to classify soils.

6. Sand, silt and clay determination: use of soil suspension techniques to determine the percent of sand, silt and clay in a sample.

7. Cloud cover and type: use of visual observations and classifications charts to determine cloud composition and cover.

8. Rainfall: use of rain gauge to determine rain or snow fall.

9. Temperature: use of maximum/minimum thermometer or continuous recording thermograph to record temperature of an area.

10. Relative humidity: use of wet and dry thermometer to determine relative humidity.

11. Slope and aspect: use of compass and ?????? to determine the slope and aspect of a habitat location.