Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Biotic Factors:

Biotic factors can be described as any living component that affects another organism. It also includes animals that consume other organisms within the ecosystem. Others are human influence, pathogens, and disease outbreaks.

Biotic factors can be sorted into these groups:

i). Producers or Autotrophs: They manufacture food using simple inorganic substances through the process of photosynthesisPhotosynthesis is the process by which green plants, and some algae and bacteria, convert the energy of sunlight into chemical energy. This energy is then used to synthesize carbohydrates such as... More.

ii). Consumers or HeterotrophsA heterotroph is an organism that consumes other organisms in a food chain. The term stems from the Greek words hetero for “other” and trophe for “nourishment.” More: They depend on producers and sometimes other consumers for food.

iii). Decomposers or Detritivores: They breakdown chemicals from producers and consumers into simpler form which can be reused.

Examples of biotic factors are:

Competition:

In an ecosystem, a typical example of a biotic factor is the competition of food. Animals compete for food, water, and space to live. Plants compete for light, water, minerals, and root space. A lion and hyena living in the same habitat will compete for the same food source. Because lions and hyenas both consume the same prey, they are each others’ most common competitors.

Parasitism: