Ecosystem definition biology

Biotic Factors Definition Biotic factors are the living parts of an ecosystem. Because of the way ecosystems work – as complex systems of competition and cooperation, where the action of every life form can effect all the others – any living thing within an ecosystem can be considered a biotic factor. Biotic factors such as soil bacteria, plant life, top predators, and polluters can all profoundly shape which organisms can live in an ecosystems and what survival strategies they use. Biotic factors, together with non-living abiotic factors such as temperature, sunlight, geography, and chemistry, determine what ecosystems look like and what ecological niches are available. Types of Biotic Factors Biotic factors are grouped by scientists into three major groups, which define their role in the flow of energy which all living things in the ecosystem need to survive. These groups are producers or autotrophs, consumers or heterotrophs, and decomposers or detritivores. Producers Producers – also known as autotrophs, from the Greek words “auto” for “self” and “troph” for “food” – are organisms that make their own food using inorganic materials and energy sources. Producers are extremely important: without them, no life could exist at all! The very first life forms on Earth had to learn to make fuel and building materials to make more cells out of non-living materials. That’s because when the first life forms appeared, there were no other life forms to feed on! So the first life for...