Flexi Says: Trophic levels have an impact on the climate and ecosystem in which they live. Plants, as an abiotic factor in land ecosystems, affect other biotic and abiotic parts of ecosystems. The types of plants found in a particular ecosystem will determine the types of animals that can live there. Plants can affect temperature by blocking sunlight. Plant roots hold soil in place. Even the atmosphere is affected by plants taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Animals, as biotic factors, also affect an ecosystem. Large herds of cattle can overgraze a grassland ecosystem and cause the soil to erode. In an ocean biome, corals form giant reefs that provide food and shelter for marine organisms.
