Sunlight: In a deciduous forest, plants need sunlight to survive. Sunlight is the basic building block of life, and is essential in the photosynthesis process. Not every plant gets the same amount of sunlight, the more sunlight you receive the taller you grow. In a deciduous forest the taller trees absorb most of the sunlight and the leaves provide a canopy over the forest. Beneath these tall trees lies ferns and shrub like bushes that are close to the ground that must thrive in the shade, since the trees limit the about of sunlight passing through them.
Temperature: The temperature is what helps the plants and animals reproduce. In the warm summer months animals use this time to help out their young and preparing them to set them off on their own by fall. By the end of summer and the beginning of winter all of the trees lose their leaves and go into hibernation. The temperature also provides to the animals whether they are supposed to store food for winter, or eat a lot of food for hibernation. In the long winter months it is a struggle for the animals’ survival.
Wind: Wind is fast moving air that is strong enough to make trees fall and branches break. It is also responsible for spreading plant seeds and pollen to other nearby plants. Small plants especially rely on the wind to spread their pollen. Not only does it spread pollen, it also picks up particulates from exposed soil and spreads fungal microorganisms that are present in the soil.
Water: Water is non living and is one of the main abiotic factors that plants and animals rely on for survivability. Rainfall is an essential factor I the deciduous forest. Continuous rainfall in this biome keeps soil moist and makes it the most fertile. Standing and slow moving water also helps in the growth in microorganisms. With the right chemical and temperature algae can form. Unfortunately, too much algae can block sunlight, which in turn can kill water plant and animal life.