Which of the following components is considered a source of abiotic factors in an ecosystem?

In an ecosystem, abiotic factors refer to the non-living components that influence the environment and the organisms living within it. Light availability is a primary abiotic factor because it is essential for photosynthesis in plants, which are the foundation of most ecosystems. The amount of light that penetrates the water or reaches the terrestrial ecosystem can affect plant growth, influence animal behavior, and determine the structure of the community.

Light availability interacts with biotic factors, such as the presence of various organisms, but it itself does not involve living components. Other factors like temperature, salinity, and water quality also fall under abiotic influences, shaping the habitat and the interactions among living organisms. In contrast, predation, symbiosis, and pathogens are all interactions involving living organisms, thus placing them in the realm of biotic factors rather than abiotic. This distinction is critical for understanding ecosystem dynamics and the various roles that both abiotic and biotic factors play in shaping the environment.