Which term refers to nonliving factors in an ecosystem that affect living organisms?

The term that refers to nonliving factors in an ecosystem that affect living organisms is abiotic factors. This concept encompasses a variety of elements such as sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and nutrients. These nonliving components play a crucial role in shaping the living environment and influencing the survival, growth, and reproduction of organisms. For instance, the amount of sunlight can determine the types of plants that grow in a particular area, which in turn affects the herbivores that feed on those plants. Similarly, temperature and water availability are critical in establishing the types of ecosystems that can thrive in different regions, from deserts to rainforests. Understanding abiotic factors is essential for studying ecological relationships and environmental science, as they provide the physical context wherein biotic factors, or the living components of an ecosystem, interact.