Ecosystems consist of interacting populations of organisms and their biotic and abiotic environment. Organisms rely on biotic factors like other species for food and abiotic factors such as water, temperature, and soil composition. Competition occurs when multiple organisms or populations rely on limited resources within their shared environment and niche.

1. Ecosystems

2. Ecosystems
• Interacting populations of organisms with
biotic and abiotic factors

3. Abiotic Factors
• Non-living factors that affect the ecosystem:
light, space, temperature, shelter, water, soil
composition

4. Biotic Factor
• Living factors that affect the ecosystem: food
sources, other population members, other
species

5. Competition
• More than one individual, or population in an
ecosystem, relies upon the same limited
resources

6. Niche
• Role in an ecosystem

7. Limiting Factor
• A biotic or abiotic factor needed as a resource
for survival; depletion prevents growth or
expansion of the organism or population

8. Summary
• Resources for an organism’s habitat, including
space, food, shelter, and water, may be limited or
depleted by competition. Two species cannot
operate in the same niche in the same
environment.
• Organisms rely on natural resources in their
environment such as quantity of light, water
supply, and suitable temperature.
• Competition occurs when niches overlap and
organisms seek the same resources, especially
when the population density is high.