Geomorphic factors influencing plant and animal distributions are

Geomorphic or topographic factors significantly influence the distribution of plants and animals by altering microclimatic conditions and habitat availability. The primary factors include slope angle (steepness), slope aspect (orientation), and relief (elevation/altitude) [1]. Slope angle affects soil stability and water drainage, while slope aspect determines the amount of solar insolation received; for instance, south-facing slopes in the Northern Hemisphere receive more sunlight than north-facing ones [3]. Relief or elevation creates vertical zonation, where climatic patterns shift with altitude, leading to distinct biotic diversities [3]. While 'relative relief' is a specific geomorphic metric, standard ecological and geomorphological literature emphasizes the broader categories of slope angle, aspect, and relief as the fundamental drivers of terrestrial ecology and forest distribution [1]. These factors collectively govern moisture, temperature, and soil depth, which are critical for species survival.

Sources

1. [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Geomorphic Processes > EXOGENIC PROCESSES > p. 39
2. [3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-92129-y.pdf