What is an abiotic factor?

An abiotic factor refers to the non-living components of an ecosystem that can influence the living organisms present within that environment. These factors include elements such as temperature, sunlight, water, soil, and atmospheric gases. They play a crucial role in shaping the habitat and influencing the behaviors, distributions, and survival of organisms.

For instance, sunlight is essential for photosynthesis in plants, while temperature can determine the types of species that can thrive in a particular area. Understanding abiotic factors is vital for studying ecosystems because they provide the physical and chemical context that supports life.

In contrast, the other options relate to living components or interactions within an ecosystem, which do not fall under the definition of abiotic factors.