Biotic and Abiotic: Definition, Difference, Components, Meaning, Examples & Differences

A.G. Tansley, an English botanist, first used the term ecosystem in 1935. It is recognised as both structural and functional units of the environment where both biotic and abiotic variables interact with one another to build an entire ecosystem. As a result, we can say there are two components that makeup ecosystems: biotic factors and abiotic factors. Both of these components are equally crucial for preserving the stability of the ecosystem.

An ecosystem's biotic components are all the living things present there, while its abiotic components, such as the physical circumstances, are made up entirely of non-living things (temperature, humidity, salinity, sunlight, pH, etc.). Both biotic and abiotic elements must interact for the ecosystem to be stable and have a chain of interactions. Both depend on one another for simple survival—the imbalance in the entire ecosystem results from the elimination of just one component for this reason.

What are Biotic Components?

Biotic Components are referred to the living species that directly or indirectly affect other organisms in an environment. For instance, consider plants, bacteria, animals, and the waste products they produce. The non-living, or abiotic, aspects of an ecosystem include all chemical and physical substances.

Biotic and abiotic components are the two main factors in the formation of the ecosystem. The terms "biotic factors" and "abiotic factors" describe the various living and non-living elements that make up an ecosystem, such as the physical conditions (such as temperature, pH, humidity, salinity, sunlight, etc.) and chemical agents (such as various gases and mineral nutrients present in the air, water, and soil, respectively). As a result, the processes of survival and reproduction are influenced by both abiotic and biotic resources.

These two components are also dependent on one another. Imagine that the ecosystem as a whole would be impacted if one of the factors were removed or modified. Without a doubt, abiotic conditions directly affect how long organisms survive.

Biotic Meaning

The words "bio" and "tic," which both indicate "like," are combined to make the phrase "biotic." As a result, the phrase refers to all the living things that create an ecosystem and indicates life-like.

Biotic Factors

Biotic variables are connected to every organism in the environment. Their existence and the organic byproducts they produce cause an ecosystem's structure to change. All living organisms are regarded as biotic factors, including humans, fungi, bacteria, as well as plants and animals. The interactions between a wide range of biotic factors are essential for each species to reproduce as well as to fulfill fundamental needs like food.

Examples of Biotic Factors

Biotic resources include all of the living things that can be found in an ecosystem. Some of these include consumers, producers, detritivores, and decomposers.

What are abiotic components?

Nonliving elements that have an impact on an ecosystem are known as abiotic components or abiotic factors. Despite not being alive, these elements affect the connected living things and are a component of the ecosystem. The phrase "abiotic" is made up of the prefix a-, which indicates without, and the word bio, which signifies life.

Abiotic Meaning

The term "abiotic" refers to all the non-living components that make up an ecosystem. The abiotic factors are made up of the sun, water, and terrain.

Abiotic Factors

Abiotic factors are any chemical or physical elements that are not living and are found in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Abiotic variables include things like the sun, air, rain, minerals, and soil. The persistence and procreation of species within an ecosystem are significantly influenced by these variables.

For instance, autotrophic organisms may not be able to survive in the absence of sufficient sunshine. There won't be enough food available for primary consumers when these organisms finally perish. Every organism is impacted by this effect, which cascades up the food chain. Ecosystem balance is subsequently disrupted.

Examples of Abiotic Factors

Examples of abiotic phenomena mostly rely on the kind of ecosystem. Abiotic elements in a terrestrial ecosystem could include things like air, type and pH of the soil, temperature, altitude, water, humidity, and more. An aquatic ecosystem's abiotic components include the salinity, pH and oxygen levels, depth and flow rate of water, and temperature of the water.

Differences Between Biotic and Abiotic Factors