Biotic Components of an Ecosystem

Biotic factors are living factors eg green plants that affect the lives of living things in an ecosystem. There are three types of Biotic factors in an ecosystem namely: Producers, Consumers and Decomposers

1. Producers
• They are autotropic organism eg green plants and algae.
• Manufacture food by photosynthesis.
• Convert solar energy into chemical energy.
• Release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

2. Consumers
• These are animals and other animals that cannot manufacture their own food.
• Primary consumers (Herbivores) Eg goats
• Secondary consumers (Carnivores)
• Tertiary consumers (Top carnivores) Eg Tiger, Lion
• Omnivores feed on both plants and animals. Eg Man

3. Decomposers

• They are mainly Saprophytic bacteria and fungi
• Break down dead organisms.
• Recycle nutrients.
• Improve soil fertility.
• Return minerals to the ecosystem.