What defines an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?

An abiotic factor in an ecosystem is defined as a non-living environmental component. This includes elements such as sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and minerals that influence the living organisms in that ecosystem. Abiotic factors are crucial because they help shape the habitat and the conditions in which biotic factors—or living organisms—interact. Understanding these non-living components is essential for studying ecosystem structure and function, as they affect everything from climate patterns to nutrient cycles.

In contrast, living organisms and relationships such as predator-prey dynamics are classified as biotic factors, which are also important but are distinctly different from abiotic factors. Nutrients in the soil, while essential for plant life, are often considered part of the abiotic environment as they are non-living components that provide necessary resources for living organisms.