Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Virginia SOL EC.2

Investigate how biotic and abiotic factors affect species distribution and biodiversity.

What students need to be able to do

  • Compare the biotic and abiotic characteristics of Earth's principal terrestrial and aquatic biomes.
  • Make, support, and evaluate a claim about how characteristics of biomes affect biodiversity.
  • Plan and conduct a biosurvey to assess the health and condition of a circumscribed natural area.
  • Research a natural or anthropogenic threat, the issues causing the threat, and describe potential remediation strategies.
  • Make, support, and evaluate a claim about how the level of biodiversity influences ecosystem resilience and sustainability.
  • Research ways legislation and/or global agreements provide biodiversity protections.
  • Compare benefits and limitations of methods used to increase resilience and sustainability in a local ecosystem.