In the tundra, biotic factors refer to the living components of the ecosystem, which include organisms such as plants (like short grasses), animals (like caribou), and microorganisms. In the scenario you described, the caribou and short grasses are examples of biotic factors.
Abiotic factors, on the other hand, are the non-living components of the environment, which include physical aspects such as water, soil, temperature, sunlight, and mountains. In the image you mentioned, the water's edge and the tall mountains are examples of abiotic factors.
Interaction Between Biotic and Abiotic Factors:
The interaction between biotic and abiotic factors in the tundra can be significant. For instance, the abiotic factor of water provides the necessary hydration for the biotic factor of short grasses to grow. These grasses, in turn, serve as food for the caribou, which means that the caribou depend on the existence of these plants (biotic) for their survival. Additionally, the abiotic factors of temperature and sunlight influence the growth rate of the grasses, which can affect the availability of food for the caribou. The towering mountains can also affect weather patterns and climate in the area, influencing the types of vegetation that can thrive and, by extension, the wildlife that depends on that vegetation. Overall, the biotic and abiotic factors interact closely, creating a complex web of dependencies that characterize the tundra ecosystem.