Which term describes nonliving components such as air and water in an ecosystem?

• A. Water
• B. Abiotic matter
• C. Biotic matter
• D. Ecosystem

Answer: (B)

Nonliving parts of an ecosystem are called abiotic factors. These include air, water, minerals, temperature, and sunlight, and they shape where organisms can live and how energy and nutrients move. The term that describes these nonliving components is abiotic matter, which contrasts with biotic matter—the living components. Water is an example of an abiotic component, but the category itself is abiotic matter. An ecosystem is the whole system that includes both living and nonliving parts.