Question

A scientist observes that little to no plant life exists in the Atacama Desert. However, in rare periods of rain, flowers and plants bloom to create a temporary colorful landscape.

Evaluate this observation and explain a limiting factor that is affecting the plant life in the Atacama Desert.

Answer 1

A limiting factor in ecology refers to the resources in the environmental conditions, which restrict the growth, distribution, or abundance of an organism or a population of organisms in an ecosystem.  

In the given situation in Atacama Desert, water is a limiting factor as due to the scarcity of water the plants are having a tough time growing, which restricts the number of plants found in the desert.  

Answer 2

Answer:

The limiting factor is water.

Explanation:

Just like any other dessert, the Atacama is very dry. It is dry because in landscapes such as a desert it doesn't rain much. As we know, plants need water to survive and grow. So, the limiting factor for the plants and the desert is water. In those brief periods of times when it does rain, the plant get the limiting factor back and can survive and grow.