Seed Update #4

Biotic and abiotic factors contribute to the survival and well being of plants.  The living environment of the plants is affected by biotic factors, such as humans and other living organisms.  For example, the eating of leaves by worms temporarily affects the plants, but eventually the leaves grow back healthy if other biotic factors allows it.  Abiotic factors take a huge part in the living conditions of the bean plants.  These include soil fertility/soil type, availability of water, amount of sunlight, climate, and temperature.  The richer the soil the more nutrients the plant will consume to help it grow and develop.

Competition does occur between the bean plants, especially when they want/need the source in order to survive.  The plants are competing for light energy given off from the sun in order to start the photosynthesis process and to perform the role of a producer.  Water is another resource that is competed for with the roots of plants.  They are competing with other plants close to them in the garden for survival.  The height of the plants, the size of the leaves, and the length of the roots prove that there is competition happening in the garden among the bean plants.


The winner or loser of a competition is determined on which organism survived and which organism died. There is never an absolute "winner" or "loser" among the bean plants or plants in general.   At times, there are plants that receive more sun or water than another plant, so its development is ahead of the other.  Eventually the other plant will catch up or the other one will slow down, which will leave no "winner" or "loser."

Mutualism is when both organisms benefit from each other.  This is an interaction that occurs in the plants' surroundings when denitrifying bacteria lives among the roots of the plants, eventually releasing carbon back into the air.  Another interaction that takes place in the garden is when catepillars or other first level consumer eat the leaves of the bean plants.  The plants are harmed temporarily until their leaves grow back completely, while consumer is receiving energy from the plant.