Ecosystem Factors: Biotic vs. Abiotic
Ecosystems are composed of two main types of factors: abiotic and biotic.
- Abiotic factors are the non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment. Examples include temperature, water, sunlight, soil, air, and atmospheric gases.
- Biotic factors are the living or once-living components of an ecosystem. Examples include plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.
Analyzing the Options
Let's analyze each option to determine if it is a biotic or abiotic factor:
- Temperature: This is a physical condition of the environment, making it an abiotic factor.
- Atmospheric humidity: This relates to the amount of water vapor in the air, a physical condition, hence an abiotic factor.
- Carbon dioxide: This is a chemical gas present in the atmosphere, considered an abiotic factor.
- Green plants: Plants are living organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis. Therefore, green plants are a biotic factor.
Conclusion
Based on the definitions, green plants are the only living component listed, making them the correct biotic factor of an ecosystem among the choices.