When considering ecosystems, what do biotic factors refer to?

Biotic factors in an ecosystem refer specifically to the living components that interact with each other and their environment. These include organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. These living factors play significant roles in shaping the environment, influencing things like population dynamics, predation, competition, and symbiotic relationships. For instance, plants provide food and habitat, while predators can control populations of prey species.

In contrast, other aspects such as soil composition, weather patterns, and rock formations are classified as abiotic factors, which refer to the non-living elements that affect the ecosystem, such as minerals, climate, and physical geography. Understanding the distinction between biotic and abiotic factors is crucial for studying ecological interactions and ecosystem health.