Which of the following is an abiotic change in an ecosystem?

• A. A fungal disease spreads through a plant population, reducing plant abundance.
• B. A prolonged drought reduces the amount of available water in the habitat.
• C. A population of rabbits increases due to higher reproductive success.
• D. A new predator species migrates into the area and increases predation on prey populations.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between biotic and abiotic factors: Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem (like plants, animals, fungi, bacteria), while abiotic factors are non-living physical or chemical elements (like temperature, water, sunlight, soil).
2. Analyze each option to determine if the change involves living organisms (biotic) or non-living environmental conditions (abiotic).
3. Option 1: A fungal disease spreading affects living plants, so this is a biotic change because it involves a living pathogen and living plants.
4. Option 2: A prolonged drought reduces water availability, which is a non-living environmental factor, making this an abiotic change.
5. Option 3 and 4: Both involve changes in populations of living organisms (rabbits and predators), so these are biotic changes.