# Biotic and abiotic factors

Biotic factors are living things that affect a community, like predators. Abiotic factors are non-living, like temperature and light.

Biology (school) · Part 07: Ecosystems and food chains · Card 3 of 11 · Last updated 2026-10-19

## Analogy

Biotic is the other players on a pitch. Abiotic is the weather and the grass.

## In practice

A new disease is a biotic change. A drought is an abiotic change.

## Practice

### Flashcards

- **Give two abiotic factors.** Temperature and light intensity, for example.

## Questions people ask

### What are examples of biotic factors?

Biotic factors include food availability, new predators, new diseases and competition between species. For example, if a new predator arrives, prey numbers may fall. Biotic factors are anything living that affects another living thing. They are different from non-living factors such as soil pH.

### What abiotic factors affect plants?

Light intensity, temperature, moisture, soil pH, soil minerals, wind speed and carbon dioxide level all affect plants. For example, a plant in shade photosynthesises more slowly and grows less. Scientists measure these with instruments such as light meters, thermometers and pH probes.

## Related concepts

- [Ecosystem](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-7/biology-school-part-7-concept-1)
- [Habitat](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-7/biology-school-part-7-concept-2)
- [Competition](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-7/biology-school-part-7-concept-4)

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