Which of the following lists includes only abiotic (nonliving) factors of an ecosystem?

• A. Moss, algae, sunlight, and plankton
• B. Deer, wolves, trees, and shrubs
• C. Bacteria, fungi, insects, and grasses
• D. Sunlight, temperature, water, and soil minerals

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between biotic and abiotic factors: Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem (such as animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria), while abiotic factors are nonliving physical and chemical elements (such as sunlight, temperature, water, and soil minerals).
2. Review each list and identify which items are living organisms (biotic) and which are nonliving elements (abiotic).
3. For the first list (Moss, algae, sunlight, and plankton), recognize that moss, algae, and plankton are living organisms, so this list contains both biotic and abiotic factors.
4. For the second list (Deer, wolves, trees, and shrubs), all items are living organisms, so this list contains only biotic factors.
5. For the third list (Bacteria, fungi, insects, and grasses), all items are living organisms, so this list contains only biotic factors. Therefore, the correct list of only abiotic factors is the one containing sunlight, temperature, water, and soil minerals.