Difference Between Abiotic and Biotic (With Table)

Both biotic and abiotic factors influence the environment. All live organisms in an ecosystem are called biotic factors, whereas non-living components such as physical circumstances and chemical agents are called abiotic factors. As a result, abiotic and biotic resources both influence survival and reproduction.

Abiotic vs Biotic

The main difference between Abiotic and Biotic is that the ecosystem’s biotic components are live organisms, whereas the abiotic components are non-living organisms. This is the most significant distinction between the two components, each impacting the environment in its own way.

“biotic components” refers to all the elements that make up a live organism. The term “biotic” comes from the Greek word “biotikos,” which means “life.” By-factors are produced due to biotic factors, which eventually aid in ecosystem development.

According to the biological definition, abiotic components include all natural occurrences that contribute to the ecosystem’s correct functioning, such as chemicals, natural gases, sunshine, and so on. Abiotic factors provide the fundamental elements required to produce biotic components’ by-products. When we look at the example, we can see that plants need sunshine, air, and water to make their own sustenance.

Comparison Table Between Abiotic and Biotic

What is abiotic?

Environmental influences are also known as abiotic factors. Furthermore, these, as well as biotic variables, span nearly the whole biosphere. To put it another way, it is the total of all ecosystems. Humidity, light, pH, soil, temperature, wind, climate, water, gases, and other abiotic variables are included in this category.

Similarly, these non-living items have a direct or indirect impact on the growth of biotic variables. For example, if the temperature of a certain habitat changes abruptly, it will have negative consequences for the plants, animals, and living things that live there. As a result, they will either migrate away from that location or will not be able to live there and will go extinct. They, too, may be able to adjust to the changes and live.

Abiotic components are the non-living elements of an environment on which live creatures rely. Abiotic resources are non-living, naturally occurring resources regarded as part of natural resources. They aren’t easily replenishable. The abiotic components and abiotic resources can influence abiotic variables. A unique abiotic factor can play a role in maintaining a population confined to a single habitat. Limiting factors are abiotic variables that hurt the environment.

What is Biotic?

All living entities in an ecosystem are biotic components or factors. They may be found on every continent. Biotics directly impact the environment since they assist nature and the ecosystem in producing, reproducing, and maintaining a healthy balance. Biotic variables contribute to the ecosystem’s life cycle.

Producers and consumers are two types of biotic components that differ in metabolisms. All autotrophs, such as plants, are called producers in an ecosystem. They use inorganic carbon dioxide and water to make basic organic molecules like glucose with the help of sunlight. Heterotrophs, or organisms that consume organic substances created by autotrophs, are consumers.

Biotic resources, known as living resources, are produced by living organisms. They are replenishable natural resources. The biosphere is where they may be found. A form of biotic resource is decomposing organic matter, similar to mineral fuel.

Main Differences Between Abiotic and Biotic

1. The non-living elements of an ecosystem are referred to as abiotic factors, whereas the life elements are referred to as biotic factors.
2. Abiotic variables are not dependent on biotic factors for survival, but biotic factors are dependent on abiotic factors.
3. Abiotic factors cannot adapt, but biotic factors may change over time.
4. Abiotic variables come from the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, whereas biotic factors come from the biosphere.
5. The biotic components have a direct impact on the ecosystem, whereas the abiotic factors have an indirect impact.
6. Abiotic factors directly impact biotic components by impacting their capacity to produce and reproduce by supplying them with the right circumstances. In contrast, biotic factors directly impact themselves, as shown in the life cycle, where organisms depend on one another for nourishment.

Conclusion

Our biosphere comprises biomes, ecosystems, communities, populations, and species, encompassing every aspect of life. On the other hand, ecosystems comprise the synergy between non-living (abiotic) and living (biotic) components and cover all areas, whether deep inside the ocean, in the air, or on land.

At the same time, abiotic variables control the presence or survival of a species in a given habitat, even though biotic factors rely on abiotic factors for food, protection, shelter, and reproduction. It can be observed that without biotic components, abiotic components are meaningless and have no purpose. When examining the differences between biotic and abiotic components, it is clear that they are very distinct. Still, a functional ecosystem cannot be built without the two primary components, biotic and abiotic.

References

1. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-phytologist/article/biotic-and-abiotic-consequences-of-differences-in-leaf-structure/C63B019B1FB420C1F28847AC5A3BF26A
2. https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/41690