What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

The distinction between biotic and abiotic factors is foundational in ecology. Biotic factors refer to all the living components of an ecosystem, which include plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. These living organisms interact with one another and with their physical environment, influencing population dynamics, community structures, and ecosystem functions.

On the other hand, abiotic factors are the non-living components of an ecosystem, encompassing elements such as sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and nutrients. These factors play a critical role in shaping the environment and influencing the survival, growth, and reproduction of biotic factors.

Understanding that biotic factors are living and abiotic factors are non-living is crucial for comprehending how ecosystems function. The interrelationship between these two types of factors ultimately dictates the health and sustainability of ecosystems. While other options hint at interactions or general descriptions, they do not clearly encapsulate the fundamental definitions that differentiate biotic from abiotic factors, making the chosen answer the most accurate representation of these concepts.