Abiotic vs Biotic Factors

1. What is the definition of an abotic factor?

 Abiotic factor is defined as a condition or a thing (like climate/habitat) the influences the whole ecosystem
including the organisms in it. Abiotic Factors can also be used to determine which species of organisms can
survive in a given environment.

2. What is the definition of a biotic factor?

 On the other hand, biotic factor is defined as any living thing (such as animals/plants) that also influences the
whole ecosystem together with the non-living things or Abiotic Factors.

Label the following items as either abiotic (A) or biotic (B):

3. B whale 8. A glass 13. B snail 18. B wool
4. A clock 9. A aluminum 14. B steak 19. A gold
5. A water 10. A metal ruler 15. B bread 20. A plastic
6. B fish 11. A sand 16. B plant 21. B grapes
7. A paper 12. A clouds 17. A pipe 22. A air

All biotic and abiotic factors are interrelated. In nature, you will find that if one factor is changed or removed, it
impacts the availability of other resources within the system. Knowing this, give an example of what might happen
given the following situations:
(In the open space place either an (A) for abiotic or (B) for biotic to identify the bolded object.)

23. All of the rocks ( A ) are removed from a desert ecosystem, what would happen to the population of rock
dwelling lizards ( B ) and in turn the animals which eat them?

24. A ten mile area of trees ( B ) is removed from the tropical rainforest. How will this affect the amount of water
( A ) and the amount of oxygen ( A ) in the area?
25. List the abiotic and biotic factors in the image below.

ABIOTIC CHEMISTRY BIOTIC CHEMISTRY

WATER DUCKS
MOUNTAIN BIRDS
ROCKS BEAR
LIGHT BUTTERFLY
AIR SWAN
OXYGEN PLANTS
TREES
FLOWERS
FISH
OTTER
INSECTS
FOX
EAGLE