Abiòtics

Abiòtics refers to the non-living components of an environment that influence living organisms. In ecology, abiotic factors operate alongside biotic factors (living organisms) to shape the distribution, abundance, and productivity of species. Abiotic factors are typically categorized as physical and chemical; they also include geophysical properties of the environment. Common physical abiotic factors include temperature, light intensity and duration, water availability and saturation, humidity, wind, and climate patterns. Chemical factors include pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrient concentrations (such as nitrogen and phosphorus), and carbon dioxide levels. Abiotic conditions can vary across space and time, creating microclimates and resource gradients that organisms must endure or exploit.

The effects of abiotic factors are mediated by organisms' physiology and life histories. Temperature and moisture influence metabolic rates, growth, reproduction, and survival. Water potential, salinity, and pH affect osmotic balance and nutrient availability. Extreme abiotic conditions, such as drought, freezing, heat waves, or high salinity, can limit species ranges and trigger stress responses, tolerance, or migration. Organisms may adapt through physiological tolerance ranges, behavioral strategies, or shifts in phenology.

In research and applied fields, abiotic factors are measured and modeled to understand ecosystems, predict species distributions, and guide conservation and resource management. They are central to studies of climate change, agriculture, habitat restoration, and hydrology, where changing abiotic conditions alter community structure and ecosystem services.