Biotic and Abiotic Influences on the Ecosystem

Biotic and Abiotic Influences on Ecosystems
Term
Definition
Abiotic Factor
Non-living factor that affects and ecosystem
Biotic Factor
Living factor that affects an ecosystem
Carrying Capacity
Maximum amount of organisms an ecosystem can support
Commensalism
Relationship where one organism is benefitted while the other is unaffected
Competition
Relationship where the organisms compete for the same services of the environment
Density Dependent Factor
Factor that depends on the original density and size of the population
Density Independent Factor
Factor that does not depend on the original density and size of the population
Ecological Relationship
Relationship between the individuals of two (or more) different species.
Mutualism
Relationship where both organisms are benefitted
Optimal Range
Range of abiotic conditions within the tolerance range where a species is best adapted.
Parasitism
Relationship where one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (host)
Predation
Relationship where one organism (predator) feeds on another (prey)
Tolerance Range
The abiotic conditions within a species can sustain and survive

Biotic factors - plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, etc.
Abiotic factors - water, landforms, temperature, sunlight, soil, gasses in the atmosphere etc.
Density dependant factor is also a factor that affects the birth rate or mortality rate of a population.
A disease contained within a dense population. If the organisms live close together, then each organism will have a higher probability rate of receiving the disease, rather than if the individuals lived apart. The density dependant factor would be the spreading disease.
Disease, predation, food shortage, competition, lack of space, etc.
Density independent factor is also a factor that affects the birth rate or mortality rate of a population.
A severe storm or flood passing through an area can easily wipe out a large population as a small one. The density