Biotic Factors: How Living Things Impact Communities and Ecosystems

The video tutorial defines biotic factors and explores their impact on communities and ecosystems. It differentiates between abiotic and biotic factors, focusing on how living factors like food availability, new predators, and pathogens affect community dynamics. Examples include the movement of gulls to urban areas due to food availability, the impact of mink as new predators in the UK, and the competition between red and gray squirrels. A case study on the introduction of mink highlights the complex interactions within ecosystems. The tutorial concludes with a summary of key points and an encouragement for assessment.

What is a biotic factor and how does it differ from an abiotic factor?

How can the availability of food affect the makeup and size of a community?

Discuss the impact of the arrival of new predators on existing communities.

What role do pathogens or pests play in affecting communities?

Explain how competition between species can lead to changes in population sizes.