How do limited abiotic resources, such as water or nutrients, impact the overall biotic organisms in an ecosystem?

• A. They have no significant effect on biotic organisms since only biotic factors influence populations.
• B. They cause all species in the ecosystem to become extinct immediately.
• C. They increase biodiversity by providing more habitats for different species.
• D. They restrict population growth by limiting the availability of essential resources for survival and reproduction.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the relationship between abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem. Abiotic factors, such as water, nutrients, sunlight, and temperature, are non-living components that directly influence the survival and reproduction of biotic organisms (living components like plants, animals, and microorganisms).
2. Step 2: Recognize that limited abiotic resources can restrict population growth. For example, if water or nutrients are scarce, plants may struggle to grow, which in turn affects herbivores that depend on plants for food, and subsequently carnivores that depend on herbivores.
3. Step 3: Analyze how the availability of essential abiotic resources impacts reproduction. Limited resources can lead to competition among organisms, reducing the ability of populations to reproduce and thrive, thereby restricting overall population growth.
4. Step 4: Understand that abiotic factors do not cause immediate extinction of all species in an ecosystem. Instead, they create challenges that organisms must adapt to, and some species may be more resilient than others, leading to shifts in population dynamics.
5. Step 5: Conclude that limited abiotic resources do not increase biodiversity by providing more habitats. Instead, they often reduce biodiversity by limiting the survival of species that cannot adapt to resource scarcity, thereby restricting population growth and ecosystem stability.