ABCTE Master of Science in Education (MSE) Practice Exam

Biotic factors refer to the living components of an environment that can influence the ecosystem and interactions within it. This includes all organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as they directly or indirectly affect other living beings and the ecological dynamics around them.

Plants and animals exemplify biotic factors because they are living entities that interact with one another, as well as with their physical environment. For example, plants provide food and habitat for animals, while animals can serve as pollinators or seed dispersers for plants, showcasing a network of relationships that can impact population dynamics, community structure, and ecosystem health. This interdependence and interaction define the biotic aspects of an ecosystem, setting them apart from abiotic factors, which are non-living elements like water, minerals, air, and climate.