BIOTIC FACTORS
BIOTIC FACTORS are the living parts of an ecosystem and include:
- NEW PREDATORS: Their arrival can alter the survival and reproduction rates of prey species.
- COMPETITION: Occurs when multiple species need the same limited resources. One species outcompetes another so the numbers are no longer sufficient to breed.
- NEW PATHOGENS: Can cause diseases that reduce population sizes.
- AVAILABILITY OF FOOD: Directly affects the growth and reproductive success of organisms.
ECOSYSTEM INTERACTIONS AND CHANGES
- An ecosystem's health and stability often depend on a delicate balance between its abiotic and biotic components.
- The introduction of new biotic factors, like a new predator or pathogen, can have cascading effects due to the interdependence of all organisms within the community.