factors that affect plant growth and/or distribution
Human effects
Soil PH and aeration
Light intensity
Temperature
Presence of water
Mineral ions
Trampling: areas of land that experience a high amount of people and perhaps animals such as cows walking around, plants are in danger of being stepped on which may lead to an unequal distribution of plants(Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Habitat: the environment may experience some destruction, especially deforestation for reasons such as agriculture (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Pollution: forms of pollution, for example acid rain, can cause the soil to become very acidic, this pollution is likely to cause the plants to die (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Use of chemicals: chemicals may be used on plants, specially pesticides and fertilisers etc. These chemicals affect plants growth and distribution (where they are placed) and are also likely to decrease the biodiversity (the variety of life in a specific habitat- Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016) in the habitat
(Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Over-harvesting: this process causes a decline in the amount of nutrients in the soil and therefore causes a difficulty in terms of plant growth (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Monocultures: growing only one type of plant in a field leads to the soil being restricted as to what minerals it produces (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Water is essential in all living life, especially for plants. Plants use water by...
Taking it up through the roots which is collected in the leaves for the process of photosynthesis (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Replacing the water in the leaves that has been lost by transpiration (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Leaves absorbing the water in the air particles which is later uses in the process of photosynthesis (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Allowing it to dissolve the minerals required which will be storied in the soil and then later be taken up by the roots of the plant (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Some plants are more well-suited to warmer climates, such as orange plants. However, some plants are more well-suited to cooler climates, such as broccoli plants. However, when temperature reaches significantly above/below (extreme temperatures), then the plants may respond in a negative way (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
For example, if a temperature is extremely high then the plant may respond by respiration rather than photosynthesis, (glucose is turned into carbon dioxide and water which releases energy-Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016). This is problematic because the products originally required for photosynthesis have now been used, therefore this process cannot be completed (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
For example, if a temperature turns extremely low then poor growth of the plant may occur due to the fact that the process of photosynthesis is slow (due to the cold). If the temperature researches 0 degrees Celsius or below, then the plant cells may be destroyed (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
In order for photosynthesis to occur, a high amount of sunlight is required so that the plant Is able to produce food. This is proven by the fact that plant growth peaks in summer time (when there is a high amount of sunlight) (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Many plants require specific mineral ions in order to function, grow and be healthy. These ions are found in the soil and are distributed by the roots of the plants, that bring up the minerals from the soil to the plant Examples of the 6 main mineral ions that plants require are around this point, and what may occur if it lacks the certain mineral (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Plants are highly responsive in terms of a changing PH, plant growth is most efficient in a neutral PH (7) or slightly acidic PH (4.5-7). In contrast, some plants grow better in more extreme conditions, such as in soils with a strong acidic or alkaline PH (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Aeration: the introduction of air into the soil of the plant (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016). This process is important for the healthy and significant growth of the plant, due to the fact that air contains oxygen which is a key feature to plant growth. This is because...
Plants respire which requires oxygen as in order to be completed (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016). The word equation for respiration is as follows: (sugar) + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water + energy (as ATP) (Reference, 2017).
To assist plants in the process of taking up water and minerals by absorbing them (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
To prevent toxins and poisons from forming in the soil (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Calcium: the plant may wilt and its cells/tissues may become soft (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Magnesium: magnesium plays a big role in the structure/make up of chlorophyll. Without chlorophyll, the plant is unable to photosynthesise. This means that the lack in food production causes the plant to be unable to grow (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Iron: a lack in iron may mean that the leaves on the plant may become bleached, and therefore lading to a lack in chlorophyll- the plant will be unable to photosynthesise, leading to very little/no food production and therefore will be unable to grow (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Potassium: the leaves on the plant may loose colour and the tips of the plant may begin to curl up and crumple. A lack in potassium is likely to cause the formation/growth of flowers and fruit etc to slow down significantly, and may lead to death (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Nitrate: plants may become short and wilted due to the fact that nitrates are required in order to promote healthy growth. The production of chlorophyll may also slow down due to this deficiency, and therefore the plant may die or wilt (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Phosphate: plants are likely to grow slower and therefore may lead to plants being 'dwarves' (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).
Sulfate: In the leaves, the veins may turn red and may dry up/become brittle. Also, a lack in chlorophyll may occur (Applied science revision guide, Annets, Hartley, Hocking, Llewellyn, Meunier, Parmar, Peers, 2016).