Abiyotik

Abiyotik, in ecology and environmental science, refers to the non-living components of an environment that influence the distribution, abundance, and activities of organisms as well as ecological processes. The term is used to distinguish these factors from biotik, the living elements of an ecosystem. Abiotic conditions are diverse and include physical and chemical aspects such as climate, soil, water, light, temperature, humidity, wind, pH, salinity, mineral content, and atmospheric composition. These factors vary across space and time, creating different habitats and ecological niches.

Key abiotic factors include climate variables (temperature, precipitation, seasonality, humidity), edaphic properties (soil type, texture, structure, pH, nutrient availability), hydrological features (water availability, salinity, dissolved oxygen), light regimes (intensity, duration, spectral quality), and atmospheric conditions (gas concentrations, pressure, wind). Abiotic factors also encompass disturbance regimes such as fires, floods, droughts, and storms. Together, they shape the viability of organisms, influence physiology and metabolism, and regulate processes like photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and mineral weathering.

Abiotic factors interact with biotic components, affecting species distributions, community structure, and ecosystem functioning. They are central to studies of climate change, habitat suitability, and resilience, as shifts in temperature, precipitation patterns, or soil moisture can cascade through ecosystems. Researchers measure abiotic conditions with sensors, climate and soil data, and remote sensing, and they use experiments and models to understand how organisms respond to varying abiotic environments. In applied contexts, managing abiotic conditions—through irrigation, soil amendment, or microclimate modification—helps agriculture, conservation, and rehabilitation efforts.