What is an example of a biotic factor affecting ecosystems?

A biotic factor refers to any living component that affects the population, development, and survival of organisms within an ecosystem. Predator-prey relationships serve as a prime example of a biotic factor because they illustrate how the interactions between different species can significantly influence their respective populations and behaviors. When predators actively hunt prey, this dynamic impacts not only the size of prey populations but also the prey's adaptability and evolution over time. Similarly, the presence of prey species can shape predator behaviors, hunting strategies, and their population dynamics.

This interaction embodies the concept of ecological balance, where the presence or absence of one species can ripple through the ecosystem, affecting various biological aspects. In contrast, factors such as soil composition, weather patterns, and sunlight availability are classified as abiotic factors, which pertain to the non-living elements of the environment that also play critical roles in shaping ecosystems but do not involve biological interactions like predator-prey relationships. Understanding these distinctions is essential in wildlife ecology, as both biotic and abiotic factors coalesce to form complex ecosystems.