How do abiotic and biotic factors interact in an ecosystem?

In an ecosystem, abiotic factors—such as temperature, light, water, and soil nutrients—create the physical and chemical environment that influences the types and behaviors of living organisms, or biotic factors. Option A highlights the role of abiotic factors in determining the conditions under which biotic interactions can occur. For instance, the availability of water can affect plant growth, which in turn influences the herbivores that rely on those plants for food. If water is scarce, plant populations may decrease, leading to fewer herbivores and affecting predator-prey dynamics.

This interaction is crucial because it showcases how the non-living components of an ecosystem set the stage for the living components to thrive or struggle. The other options suggest relationships among abiotic and biotic factors that do not accurately reflect the complexity of ecosystem interactions. For instance, biotic factors do influence abiotic conditions through processes such as decomposition, which can change soil nutrient levels. Thus, the assertion that abiotic factors limit biotic interactions acknowledges the foundational role of non-living elements in shaping life in ecosystems.