Limiting Factors in an Ecosystem A look at

Limiting Factors in an Ecosystem A look at one species: The Green Tree Frog (GTF) Hyla cineria

Limiting Factors Environmental factors (either biotic or abiotic) that prevent a population from increasing n n n Biotic factors are related to, caused by, or produced by living organisms. Abiotic factors are not associated with the activities of living organisms. Let’s identify some of the limiting factors in the environment, and describe how they affect the Green Tree Frog (GTF).

Types of Limiting Factors Biotic Factors n n n Food Predation Water n Living Space n Global Warming Combos Biotic/Abiotic Factors n Habitat Destruction n Shelter n Soil n description Disease Parasitism Abiotic Factors description Invasive species Competition description description

Availability of Food A basic need of all organisms to obtain energy from the environment • If food is not available, organisms may not reproduce and/or may starve • Green Tree Frogs eat crickets, moths, flies, other small invertebrates return • Biotic Factor

Water The right quantity and quality of water is a basic need of all organisms n Quantity of water: GTFs and frogs in general must have enough water to maintain the moisture in their wet/moist skins and to reproduce. n n Water Quality: is a measure of how clean the water is for the organisms that use it. n n Most frogs lay their eggs in water, and need it for their tadpoles to hatch and grow. Frogs are considered good bioindicators of water quality since they cannot survive polluted water because of their permeable skins. urn. Abiotic factor

Shelter A basic need of all organisms to find a suitable place to take refuge from the weather, to hide from predators, to sleep, to raise young, etc. n n GTFs prefer trees, bushes, and human houses where they consume insects attracted by light sources after dark. Shelter may be biotic (like trees), abiotic (like rocks), and/or man-made (like houses). return n Abiotic/Biotic factor

Living Space A basic need of all organisms to have a certain amount of space n n n Sometimes called territory Must be large enough to meet organism’s basic requirements such as finding food, water, shelter, mates, etc. Usually related to an organism’s size return n Abiotic factor

Predation An organism preys on and consumes animals n n Green Tree Frogs are eaten by large spiders, birds, snakes, and even larger frogs (such as the invasive species Cuban Tree Frogs). Biotic factor return

Competition Organisms compete to acquire the resources to live and reproduce successfully n Compete for food, water, shelter, space, mates, and other needs Within their own species (other Green Tree Frogs) With other similar species (Barking Tree Frogs, Squirrel Tree Frogs) With unlike species (spiders and birds) With invasive species (Cuban Tree Frogs) n Biotic factor n n return

Habitat Destruction Loss of habitat through climate change, urbanization, and other factors n n n The number one reason that organisms become endangered is habitat loss Habitats of Green Tree Frogs include wet prairies, cypress swamps, and hydric hammocks as well as borders of lakes and streams, areas with floating vegetation or moist conditions, and occasionally in brackish waters. Biotic, abiotic and man made factors return