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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Biotic and Abiotic?

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The main difference between biotic and abiotic factors lies in the fact that biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem, while abiotic factors are non-living components. Here is a comparison of these two types of factors:

Biotic Factors:

  • They include living organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.
  • They play an active role in the ecosystem, interacting with each other and forming complex food webs and ecological relationships.
  • Biotic components depend on abiotic factors for their survival and growth.

Abiotic Factors:

  • They include non-living elements such as water, soil, air, temperature, humidity, and precipitation.
  • They provide the necessary conditions for life to exist but do not have the ability to interact with each other like biotic factors.
  • Abiotic factors influence the distribution and abundance of biotic components by shaping their habitats.

Both biotic and abiotic factors are essential for shaping the ecosystem, and their interactions are critical for the proper functioning of the ecosystem. For example, temperature, sunlight, and water are necessary for plants to grow, while plants provide food and habitats for other organisms in the ecosystem.

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  • What is the Difference Between Biotic and Abiotic?
  • Comparative Table: Biotic vs Abiotic

    • Comparative Table: Biotic vs Abiotic

    Here is a table comparing the differences between biotic and abiotic factors:

    Feature Biotic Factors Abiotic Factors
    Definition Biotic factors refer to all living organisms in an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. Abiotic factors refer to non-living physical and chemical elements in the ecosystem, such as water, air, soil, sunlight, and minerals.
    Examples Animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and other living organisms. Water, air, soil, sunlight, minerals, temperature, pH, and humidity.
    Association Biotic factors can form associations like symbiosis, parasitism, or predator-prey relationships. Abiotic factors do not form such associations.
    Influence Biotic factors can affect the survival, reproduction, and distribution of other organisms in the ecosystem. Abiotic factors can influence the types and numbers of organisms that can exist in an environment.
    Location Biotic factors are obtained from the biosphere. Abiotic factors are obtained from the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.

    Both biotic and abiotic factors are essential components of an ecosystem and interact with each other to maintain a balance. Any alteration in these factors can have a significant impact on the entire ecosystem.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.