What do we call physical, nonliving factors that shape an ecosystem?

What do we call physical, nonliving factors that shape an ecosystem?

• A. Abiotic Factors
• B. Biotic Factors
• C. Niche
• D. Habitat

Answer: (A)

Nonliving physical factors shape how ecosystems function by setting the conditions in which organisms can survive, grow, and interact. These abiotic factors include temperature, light, water availability, humidity, wind, soil composition, pH, and other climate-related elements. They influence which species can exist in a given area, how productive an ecosystem is, and how energy and nutrients flow. For example, extreme temperatures or scarce water can limit plant life, which in turn affects the animals that depend on those plants. Abiotic factors are separate from living components, which are biotic factors like plants, animals, fungi, and microbes. A habitat is the physical space where an organism lives, described by its abiotic and biotic features, while a niche describes the role an organism plays within that environment. So the physical, nonliving influences are called abiotic factors.

Nonliving physical factors shape how ecosystems function by setting the conditions in which organisms can survive, grow, and interact. These abiotic factors include temperature, light, water availability, humidity, wind, soil composition, pH, and other climate-related elements. They influence which species can exist in a given area, how productive an ecosystem is, and how energy and nutrients flow. For example, extreme temperatures or scarce water can limit plant life, which in turn affects the animals that depend on those plants. Abiotic factors are separate from living components, which are biotic factors like plants, animals, fungi, and microbes. A habitat is the physical space where an organism lives, described by its abiotic and biotic features, while a niche describes the role an organism plays within that environment. So the physical, nonliving influences are called abiotic factors.