What is the primary characteristic of a biotic factor?

The primary characteristic of a biotic factor is that it is a living part of an ecosystem. Biotic factors include all organisms within an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. These living entities interact with one another and with abiotic factors, which are the non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment, to shape the ecosystem's structure and function.

Understanding biotic factors is essential for studying ecosystems because they play crucial roles in processes such as energy flow, nutrient cycling, and species interactions. For example, plants (producers) convert sunlight into energy, which is then transferred through food chains to herbivores (consumers) and then to carnivores. Additionally, biotic factors can affect population dynamics, community structure, and biodiversity within an ecosystem, making their role vital for its health and stability.