SAINT

SAINTLOUIS UNIVERSITY
LOUIS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NURSING,
SCHOOL OF NATURALALLIED HEALTH,
SCIENCES
AND BIOLOGICAL
Department SCIENCES
of Biology
Department of Biology

MODULE 1 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

UNIT 2 Concept of Limiting Factors

As mentioned in the previous unit, abiotic and biotic factors affect how organisms grow,
survive, and reproduce. These environmental factors are important in allowing organisms to
function normally thus, promote survival. However, at any given time, an environmental factor
may not be enough to promote survival or maybe too much that it becomes destructive. Any
factor that restricts the ability of an organism (or a population) to grow, survive, or reproduce is
an ecological stress called a limiting factor. Some abiotic factors that can be limiting to organisms
include water, temperature, salinity, pH, light, nutrients, and space. For example, water is
especially important for normal organismal metabolic processes. Lack of water leads to
dehydration that prevents organisms from functioning normally, thus limiting its survival. Biotic
factors can be limiting include interactions such as parasitism, predation, and competition. For
example, predators make it difficult for their prey to freely roam around and gather or hunt for
their food. The predators are then the limiting factor for the prey.

A. Limiting Factors

Temperature

- Low temperatures impose significant ecological constraints by limiting the amount

of time in which physiological activity is possible
- High temperatures impose equally severe ecological constraints on organisms
o e.g. Amazon forest fire, Australian bushfire, Benguet grassfires
- Organisms can effectively cool themselves through sweating, panting, defecating
- Many organisms are adapted to withstand high temperatures and acts favorably
for some species
- Pyrophytic plants need fire for their seeds to reproduce

Australian Banksia serrata

Pyriscence
- Ecological adaptation wherein post-fire environment
offers best germination and seedling survival rates

https://www.google.com/search?q=Banksia+serrata&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:Cb
-KsIZn7DV7Igi_1irCGZ-w1eyoSCb-
KsIZn7DV7EZvXy28pQ75dYZvXy28pQ75d&tbo=u&ved=2ahUKEwiW2_T7k53q
AhWS-mEKHeUjBugQiRx6BAgBEAw&ictx=1&uact=3
FIG. 1.2.1 Pyrophytic Plant: The Australian Banksia serrata

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 SAINT
SAINTLOUIS UNIVERSITY
LOUIS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NURSING,
SCHOOL OF NATURALALLIED HEALTH,
SCIENCES
AND BIOLOGICAL
Department SCIENCES
of Biology
Department of Biology

Tardigrade

aka water bears– microscopic 8-legged animals

that are temperature proof (wide range of
temperature and situations)

-200 deg C and up to 149 deg C

FIG. 1.2.2 Tardigrade

https://www.livescience.com/indestructible-tardigrades-cannot-survive-heat.html

Salinity

- Salt concentrations can affect water uptake

- the concentration of salts in the soil or in water is necessary because higher
concentrations increase osmotic resistance to water uptake
- It can be of critical importance to agriculture where continued watering in arid
environments greatly increases salt concentration and reduces crop yields
- Halophytes are plants that are naturally equipped with mechanisms to withstand
highly saline conditions

FIG. 1.2.3 Mangrove Adaptations

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/433330795391762141/

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 SAINT
SAINTLOUIS UNIVERSITY
LOUIS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NURSING,
SCHOOL OF NATURALALLIED HEALTH,
SCIENCES
AND BIOLOGICAL
Department SCIENCES
of Biology
Department of Biology

pH
- Acidity or alkalinity of the environment affects plant and animal distribution
- Most plant roots are damaged below pH of 3 or above pH of 9
- The availability of mineral nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus is a significant limit on
primary productivity in many areas
- Soil pH influences factors that affect plant growth such as soil bacteria, nutrient
leaching, nutrient availability, toxic elements, and soil structure

Pine needles

Can decrease the pH of soil thereby causing

growth inhibition to other plants (allelopathic
effect)

https://www.123rf.com/photo_109110618_dried-pine-
needles-texture-background-with-border-of-green-pine-
branches-abstract-pine-needles-fall-.html

FIG. 1.2.4 Pine Needles decreasing soil pH

Soil quality

- Low nutrient availability is often associated with low soil temperatures and anaerobic
soil conditions
- Components of soil such as organic matter in various stages of breakdown,
inorganic compounds, water, and biotic components can affect nutrient
availability for each species

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 SAINT
SAINTLOUIS UNIVERSITY
LOUIS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NURSING,
SCHOOL OF NATURALALLIED HEALTH,
SCIENCES
AND BIOLOGICAL
Department SCIENCES
of Biology
Department of Biology

- Soil development is strongly influenced by precipitation, evaporation, vegetation

FIG. 1.2.5 Effects of Soil quality

on plant growth

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/soils/soil-
quality-constraints-plant-production-
ebook

Light
- Light is an important limiting resource for plants as it affects the timing of daily and
seasonal rhythms
- Light and dark reaction in photosynthesis

Temporal/Time
- Breeding season of animals are set by the organism’s response to day length changes
- Light is used as cue for activity cycles such as hunting

FIG. 1.2.6 Difference between

Nocturnal and Diurnal Animals

https://animalsake.com/difference-between-
diurnal-and-nocturnal-animals-and-plants

Water Availability
- Water availability limits the distribution and abundance of many species

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 SAINT
SAINTLOUIS UNIVERSITY
LOUIS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NURSING,
SCHOOL OF NATURALALLIED HEALTH,
SCIENCES
AND BIOLOGICAL
Department SCIENCES
of Biology
Department of Biology

- Rate of evaporation and transpiration are primarily dependent on temperature, hence

the importance of water and temperature combined

FIG. 1.2.7 Flooded rice field vs Dried up rice field

http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/decision-tools/rice-doctor/rice-doctor-fact-sheets/item/flooding-or-
submergence

B. Liebig’s Law of the Minimum

Justus Von Liebig (1803 – 1873) was a chemist who applied his knowledge in organic and
inorganic chemistry to increase yield in agriculture. With his theory of mineral nutrients and Karl
Sprengel’s theorem of minimum, Liebig formulated the Law of the Minimum. According to his
law, plants require certain amounts of nutrients, such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous
to grow properly and survive. If any of the required nutrients is present in minimal amounts only,
the growth of the plant will also be minimal, even if the other nutrients are present in abundant
amounts. This law explains that the growth and survival of the plant are determined by the least
available mineral nutrient.

Although Liebig’s Law was initially based on nutrient requirements for plant growth, it can
also be used to explain how other limiting factors affect other living things. For example, fishes
rely on oxygen dissolved in water (Dissolved Oxygen) for respiration. However, dissolved oxygen
is also used in the process of decomposition or the breakdown of dead organic matter found
in the water. So, the more dead organic matter, the higher the rate of decomposition, the
higher the oxygen consumption, the lesser the dissolved oxygen left for fish respiration. Oxygen
now becomes a limiting factor for the fishes, affecting their growth and survival.

C. Shelford’s Law of Tolerance

Victor Ernest Shelford (1877-1968), an American zoologist, expanded Liebig’s law,

formulating the Law of Tolerance. This law proposes that too much of anything is as dangerous
as too little. It explains that if a requirement for survival would go below the minimum value or
above the maximum value, it becomes limiting to organisms.

mjmbuenaventura 5
 SAINT
SAINTLOUIS UNIVERSITY
LOUIS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NURSING,
SCHOOL OF NATURALALLIED HEALTH,
SCIENCES
AND BIOLOGICAL
Department SCIENCES
of Biology
Department of Biology

Different species thrive in areas with environmental conditions that are suitable for their
growth and survival. However, environmental conditions are not stagnant. Environmental
factors are constantly changing. These changes may involve either a decrease or an increase
in the value of an environmental factor required for survival. Question is, how much of this
change can organisms take? That value represents the organisms’ range of tolerance (fig 1.1).
It means, organisms can tolerate changes in the environment as long as the change is within
their range of tolerance.

Within this range of tolerance is the optimum range, where environmental factors allow
the organisms to undergo normal physiological processes. Beyond the lower and upper limits
of the optimum range are the zones of physiological stress. These zones are still within the range
of tolerance, but the environmental factors are making it more difficult for the organisms to
grow, reproduce, and survive. Beyond the lower and upper limits of the zones of physiological
stress are the zones of intolerance wherein organisms can no longer cope up with
environmental changes, thus die.

Take for example the polar bears. They thrive in a cold environment with a temperature
that changes according to the time of the day or seasons of the year. Nonetheless, the polar
bears still survive because the changes in temperature are still within their range of tolerance.
However, if the polar bears are exposed to a warmer than normal environment, they may find
it more difficult to survive because the temperature is no longer suitable for their normal
physiological processes, or they may even die.

FIG: 1.1 Range of Tolerance:

https://ib.bioninja.com.au/options/option-c-ecology-and-conser/c1-species-and-communities/survival-
factors.html
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 SAINT
SAINTLOUIS UNIVERSITY
LOUIS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NURSING,
SCHOOL OF NATURALALLIED HEALTH,
SCIENCES
AND BIOLOGICAL
Department SCIENCES
of Biology
Department of Biology

Organisms have a unique range of tolerance for a particular factor. Those with a wide
range of tolerance are referred to as eury while those with a narrow range of tolerance are
called steno. For example, a freshwater fish will die in the sea because it has a narrow range
of tolerance to changes in salt concentration thus referred to as stenohaline. Similarly, a fish
from the sea cannot survive in freshwater because it is also stenohaline. However, some fishes
like the salmon have a wide range of tolerance to changes in salt concentrations because
they can live in both freshwater and saltwater, thus called euryhaline. Remember, if an
organism’s range of tolerance to a particular factor is narrow, that factor can easily be limiting
for the organism.

D. Homeostasis

According to the Law of Tolerance, when environmental changes go beyond the optimal
range, organisms undergo physiological stress. Although they do not die immediately, their
overall functioning is affected. Growth becomes stunted, abilities for survival become limited,
and reproduction slows down or may even cease, which could eventually affect the survival
of their species. Most organisms can help their body cope up with external changes, especially
during times of physiological stress. They have the ability to maintain homeostasis. Homeo
means the same and stasis means stable. So, those who maintain homeostasis undergo internal
adjustments to make sure that their body remains the same and stable, despite the changing
environment. Maintenance of homeostasis helps organisms cope with limiting factors. Failure
to do so may have adverse effects and can even lead to death.

Homeostasis is maintained by feedback mechanisms, which allows the body to respond

to the change by going against it and bringing the body back to its stable state.

FIG. 1.2. Feedback Mechanisms involved during temperature change

https://ib.bioninja.com.au/options/option-d-human-physiology/d5-hormones-and-metabolism/feedback-loops.html
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 SAINT
SAINTLOUIS UNIVERSITY
LOUIS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF NURSING,
SCHOOL OF NATURALALLIED HEALTH,
SCIENCES
AND BIOLOGICAL
Department SCIENCES
of Biology
Department of Biology

Ecosystems, too, undergo homeostasis. The feedback mechanisms involved are formed
by both abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. Below is also a link that would give
examples of ecosystem homeostasis. Environmental changes are normal, and organisms are
equipped to adjust and adapt to these changes. However, if the changes are drastic, both
organisms and environment may find it difficult to go back to their stable states or may even
lead to organismal death and ecosystem destruction.

KEY CONCEPT: From an environmental perspective, any anthropogenic activity that would upset
the balance of external factors can be limiting to organisms. Environmental science aims to avoid
activities that upset the natural balance of these factors.

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