What do we call the contributing living parts of an ecosystem?

The contributing living parts of an ecosystem are referred to as biotic factors. These include all the organisms present in an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. Biotic factors interact with one another and with their physical environment, influencing the structure and function of the ecosystem.

For example, plants (producers) provide energy for herbivores (primary consumers), which in turn are prey for carnivores (secondary consumers). These interactions are vital to maintaining balance within the ecosystem, supporting processes like nutrient cycling and energy flow.

In contrast, abiotic factors pertain to the non-living components of an ecosystem, such as water, sunlight, soil, and air. While these factors are crucial for supporting life, they are not living components themselves. Environmental factors could encompass both biotic and abiotic aspects but do not specifically denote the living contributors. Geological factors focus on the Earth’s physical structure, which also does not pertain to living organisms.