Biotic and abiotic factors in Earth’s natural systems (populations, ecosystems, communities)

Biotic factors?

Living components in an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Abiotic factors

Non-living physical and chemical elements in an ecosystem, including sunlight, temperature, water, and soil.

What are Earth’s four highest level systems (spheres)?

Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, Geosphere

Population

Members of the same species that share the same area

Ecosystem

All living organisms in a particular area along with the non-living parts of the environment

Community

A group of different species that interact with one another within a specific area

Biome

A distinc geographical region with a specific climate, vegetation and animal life

Terrestrial biome

Land-based biomes defined by their climate (temperature and precipitation)

Aquatic biome

Water-based biomes, defined by their water depth and salinity

Microbiome

A group of microbes that naturally live on or within another organism

Microecosystem

Soil, ponds, puddles, decaying logs, tree cavities,…