Biodiversity and distributionBiotic factors

Sampling helps us to estimate numbers of organisms in an area and build up an accurate picture of that area;s biodiversity.

Part of ScienceBiodiversity and interdependence

Biotic factors

Biotic factors are interactions associated with living organisms. They can also influence the distribution of organisms in an ecosystem.

Examples of biotic factors are:

  • competition for environmental resources
  • grazing - too little leads to dominant plants outcompeting other species, too much reduces species numbers overall. Both decrease biodiversity
  • predation - a reduction in predators can lead to an increase in prey. High numbers of prey can lead to overgrazing, which can reduce biodiversity
  • disease
  • food availability
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