An ecosystem is made up of Biotic and Abiotic components which interact together to work together as a system.

Biotic Components


These are the living organisms which shape an ecosystem. These include the living things such as animals, plants, bacteria and the living food the organism consumes. Biotic components are divided according to what they eat as they are separated into different categories according to their trophic levels;

  • Herbivores (those who eat only plants and are primary consumers)
e.g: elephants

  • Carnivores (those who eat other organisms containing meat only and are secondary or tertiary consumers)
e.g: Lion

  • Omnivores (those who are both herbivores and carnivores. They can be considered primary, secondary or tertiary consumers)
e.g: human beings

Decomposers are also considered biotic components as these organisms obtain energy by decomposing dead stuff.
e.g: bacteria

Producers are also considered a biotic component because these live organisms make their own food from inorganic substances from the environment.
e.g: green plants

Abiotic Components


These type of components are the opposite from the biotic components. (i.e non living) These are factors which does not respire and does not feed themselves as biotic components do.
i.e: air, water, temperature, soil
These forms the environment in an ecosystem and help living organisms survive.