Page 6 - SGG_220316_Teachers_Handbook_Module_6

1. Biodiversity & Ecosystems

Biodiversity and ecosystems are developing since life first started in planet Earth 3,5 billion years ago.
Before life, planet Earth was not a friendly environment for humans. The abiotic conditions
(combination of the multiple abiotic factors) at that time were overall very extreme and different from
the current abiotic environment setup. All the living organisms that inhabited Earth have had its share
on the evident changes that have been happening since life first appeared – they were actually the
builders of today’s environment.

Image 1. On top, Vulcanic landscape, which resembles how primitive Earth looked like ©pixbay | On
the bottom, current natural landscape in an old volcano, in Corvo island Azores.

Abiotic factors: physical conditions and non-living resources - topography, geology,
climate, water availability and quality, sun exposure, temperature, etc.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.