The interconnectedness of life on Earth is a fundamental concept in ecology. All living organisms, from microorganisms to humans, interact with their environment and with each other in complex ways. These interactions can be broadly categorized into biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors. Biotic factors include interactions between organisms, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis, while abiotic factors include physical and chemical factors like light, temperature, water, and soil.