This photo of Waimea Canyon on Kaua'i demonstrates a major abiotic influence on vegetation. The angle and pathway of the sun overhead creates a cooler side of the canyon (on the left) which receives the morning sun. As a result, vegetation is more lush and greener. The facing side (on the right), gets the afternoon sun and is hotter and drier, resulting in less vegatation cover.
Also there are powerful biotic influences at work here. In recent years, feral (domesticated animals gone wild) goats in the canyon denude the slopes by their grazing, causing the red soil to show through and giving it a characteristic red hue. As a result, Waimea is called "Little Grand Canyon of Hawaii." However, instead of the red color being a natural phenomenon, it is one of degradation. At one time the canyon would have been greener.
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