Biotic factors are those organisms that are alive, formed by at least a cell and that fulfill vital functions. Instead, abiotic factors are those that are not living beings and do not have their own life. Within any ecosystem, a series of factors that interact to maintain balance in that ecosystem already global level are combined, that is, between ecosystems.
In this ecology article, we explain to you What are biotic and abiotic factors and their differencestheir definitions and how they interact with each other.
What are biotic factors and examples
The biotic factors of an ecosystem are all those beings that are part of him and who have life. To be considered living organisms must be formed by At least one cell and fulfill vital functions, like any living organism: nutrition (including breathing), interaction (including all relationship processes) and reproduction. In this way, any biotic factor has the ability to feed, interact with its environment and have offspring that ensures the continuity of the species.
Thus, we classify biotic factors in producing organisms, consumers and decomponers. Within them, we divide them into the Five biological kingdoms:
- The kingdom Animalia: formed by all animals. Here you will find more information from the Animalia kingdom: what is, characteristics, classification and examples.
- The kingdom Plantae: formed by all plant organisms. Discover the Plantae kingdom: what is, characteristics, classification and examples.
- The kingdom Fungi: which is formed by fungi. Read more about the Fungi Kingdom: what is, characteristics, classification and examples.
- The kingdom Monera: which is formed by microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses. We explain the Monera kingdom: what is, characteristics, classification and examples.
- The kingdom Protist: which is formed by those eukaryotic cells, but that are not classified within the Fungi, Animalia or Plantae kingdoms. Do not miss this interesting article of the Protic Kingdom: what is, characteristics, classification and examples.
In this other post you will find more information about biotic factors: what are, characteristics, classification and examples.
What are abiotic factors and examples
Abiotic factors are those factors that are not living beings, They do not have their own life or are inert. They do not perform the vital functions of any living organism, however they are very important, since They form the physical space in which biotic factors live or living organisms, that is, that biotic factors could not exist without these inert or lifeless factors.
These factors can be divided into:
- Natural factors: They are those that are part of our planet naturally such as air, light, soil, water or rocks.
- Artificial factors: They are those that are the product of human activity such as marble or a plastic bottle.
In addition, some biotic factors can become abiotic factors, such as the example of a living organism that dies and becomes a matter that enriches the soil. Other more complex abiotic factors than the previous ones are climate, temperature, humidity, pH or the presence of different stations and are more complex, since they depend on the interaction of other multiple factors. These factors also influence the ecosystem and beings that live in it.
In this other article you will learn more about abiotic factors: what are, characteristics and examples.
Differences between biotic and abiotic factors
- The main difference is Lifewhere biotic factors have life, while abiotics are not living organisms.
- Abiotic factors form the physical space where biotic factors live.
- Biotic factors are classified as producers, consumers and decomponers.
- Abiotic factors are classified as Natural and artificial factors.
- Biotic factors could not exist without abiotic factors, since they determine the distribution and adaptation of organisms.
- Biotic factors have a Direct influence In other organisms.
- Abiotics influence biogeochemical cycles and metabolic processes.
- Abiotic factors They change in different time scales.
Abiotic and biotic factors are influence factors
Abiotic factors influence all the living factors of an ecosystembeing able to become limiting factors for the growth of a species, limiting (directly or indirectly) thus survival and reproduction. Therefore, they are determining factors in terms of the type and number of organisms capable of living in that concrete ecosystem. Abiotic factors influence the organism itself, other living beings, their relationships and the waste they generate.
A simple example of interaction between biotic and abiotic factors is that of plants with factors such as water, sunlight or available carbon dioxide. The plants use water to survive and sunlight and carbon dioxide to create its own food through photosynthesis.
Another example, some ecosystem suffer winters with very low temperatures and a lot of snow. Some animals, such as Arctic fox, adapt to these abiotic factors thanks to the development of a thick white hair layer during the coldest times.
Biotic factors are also influence factors. For example, decomponent organisms such as bacteria or fungi break away remains of inert organisms. This is a mechanism that manages to return the components of these organisms to the earth, which in turn later returns to living beings, thus closing the cycle.
In summary, all the ecosystems of the planet are formed by both biotic and abiotic factors and these are not static factors, but interact with each other to give rise to the conditions of that ecosystem.
If you want to read more articles similar to Biotic and abiotic factors: What are and differenceswe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.
