Biotic and abiotic factors: Ecology

Ecosystem

The interaction of a community of living organisms with the non-living parts of the environment

Community

All of the individuals of the different species that live in the same area and time and interact with one another in an environment

Biotic

Factors that result from living things in an ecosystem

Abiotic

Factors that result from non-living things in an ecosystem

Light intensity

An abiotic factor, plants require energy from sunlight to photosynthesise

Temperature

An abiotic factor, most organisms are sensitive to temperature as it can affect metabolic rates and enzyme activity

Moisture levels

An abiotic factor, moisture in soil is necessary for the survival of most plants and specific humidity levels or water sources are essential for most organisms

Soil pH and mineral content

An abiotic factor, plant cells and enzymes are sensitive to pH and also require minerals for sufficient plant development

Wind intensity and direction

An abiotic factor, wind can affect the rate of transpiration in plants, can damage organisms and can help some organisms to disperse

Carbon dioxide levels

An abiotic factor, plants require sufficient levels of this gas for photosynthesis

Oxygen levels

An abiotic factor, the levels of oxygen in water can affect animals in aquatic environments

Food availability

A biotic factor, animals depend on other animals or plants as sources of food

Arrival of new predators

A biotic factor, the arrival of new organisms capable of predation can affect the levels of animals or plants in an ecosystem

New pathogens

A biotic factor, organisms can be severely affected by the introduction of new diseases

One species outcompeting another species

A biotic factor, if one species is outcompeted the population of that species may decline as individual organisms may not be able to obtain the resources needed to survive and reproduce