Difference Between Abiotic And Biotic Factors (Resources) With Examples

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What Are Biotic Factors?

Biotic factors also referred to as biotic components can be described as any living component that affects another organism or shapes the ecosystem. This includes other organisms within their ecosystem and the organism that is being consumed. Biotic factors include animals, plants, fungi, bacteria and protists. Biotic factors also include human influence, pathogens and disease outbreaks.

Biotic factors/components are generally classified into three classes:

  • Producers also referred to as autotrophs, convert energy through the process of photosynthesis into food.
  • Consumers also referred to as heterotrophs, depend upon producers and other consumers for food.
  • Decomposers also referred to as detritivores, break down chemicals from producers and consumers (usually antibiotic) into simpler form which can be reused.

What You Need To Know About Biotic Factors/Resources

  • Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem such as plants and animals.
  • Examples of biotic resources include all flora and fauna, that is, plants, animals, forests, fish, birds and other organisms.
  • Biotic factors depend on abiotic factors for survival and reproduction.
  • Biotic factors are classified into two basic categories, that is Flora and Fauna.
  • Biotic factors affect the individual of a species, community, population, biosphere and the biome.
  • Biotic factors are able to adapt to changes in the environment.
  • Biotic factors/components originate from the biosphere.
  • They affect the ability of organisms to survive and reproduce.
  • The measurement of biotic factors is subjective.
  • Biotic factors help to determine the type of abiotic factors that can be found in the ecosystem.

What Are Abiotic Factors?

 Abiotic factors or abiotic components are non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems. Abiotic factors can determine which species of organisms will survive in a given environment.

 Examples of abiotic factors include:

  • Precipitation & altitude
  • Sunlight & temperature
  • Type of soil & minerals
  • Geographic location
  • Humidity & wind
  • Dissolved oxygen
  • Turbidity
  • Water depth etc

What You Need To Know About Abiotic Factors/Resources

  • Abiotic factors are the non-living physical and chemical factors in the environment that influence an ecosystem.
  • Examples of abiotic  factors include precipitation, altitude, sunlight, temperature, type of soil, minerals, geographic location, humidity, wind, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, water depth etc
  • Abiotic factors do not depend on the biotic factors/components for their survival.
  • Abiotic factors are classified into three basic categories, that is climatic, edaphic and social.
  • Abiotic factors affect the individual of a species, community, population and biosphere. 
  • Abiotic factors lack ability to adapt to changes in the environment.
  • Abiotic factors/components originate from the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.
  • They affect directly or indirectly the behavior of an organism in the environment.
  • Measurement of abiotic factors is objective.
  • Abiotic factors help in determining the type of biotic factors that can be found in an ecosystem.

Also Read: Difference Between Natural And Artificial Selection

Difference Between Abiotic And Biotic Factors In Tabular Form

BASIS OF COMPARISON ABIOTIC FACTORS BIOTIC FACTORS
Description Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem such as plants and animals.   Abiotic factors are the non-living physical and chemical factors in the environment that influence an ecosystem.  
Examples Plants, animals, forests, fish, birds and other organisms.   Precipitation, altitude, sunlight, temperature, type of soil, minerals, geographic location, humidity, wind, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, water depth etc
Dependency They depend on abiotic factors for survival and reproduction.   They do not depend on the biotic factors/components for their survival.  
Classification They are classified into two basic categories, that is Flora and Fauna.   They are classified into three basic categories, that is climatic, edaphic and social.  
Effect They affect the individual of a species, community, population, biosphere and the biome.   They affect the individual of a species, community, population and biosphere.   
Ability To Adapt To Environmental Changes They are able to adapt to changes in the environment.   They lack ability to adapt to changes in the environment.  
Origin Biotic factors/components originate from the biosphere.   Abiotic factors/components originate from the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.  
Effect On Behavior Of An Organism They affect the ability of organisms to survive and reproduce.   They affect directly or indirectly the behavior of an organism in the environment.  
Measurement The measurement of biotic factors is subjective.   Measurement of abiotic factors is objective.  
Importance They help to determine the type of abiotic factors that can be found in the ecosystem.   They help in determining the type of biotic factors that can be found in an ecosystem.  

Also Read: Difference Between Zooplankton And Phytoplankton

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