What is an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?

An abiotic factor in an ecosystem refers to a non-biological component that influences the environment and the organisms living within it. These factors encompass elements such as sunlight, temperature, moisture, soil composition, and nutrients. Understanding abiotic factors is crucial because they play a significant role in shaping the ecosystem, affecting both the habitat and the organisms that reside there.

In contrast, options that refer to living organisms, types of plants, or consumers describe biotic factors, which include all living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microbes. These biotic interactions often depend heavily on the abiotic factors present in the environment. Hence, recognizing the distinction between abiotic and biotic factors is fundamental in ecology.