Which of the following best describes abiotic factors?

Abiotic factors refer to the non-living components of an ecosystem that influence the environment and the organisms within it. This includes elements such as temperature, light, water, soil, and atmospheric gases. These factors play a crucial role in shaping the habitat and determining the conditions under which living organisms thrive or struggle.

For instance, temperature influences the metabolism of organisms, while light is essential for photosynthesis in plants. Water availability affects both plant growth and the survival of animals in an ecosystem. Soil types and composition, while they can be seen as a part of the abiotic factors, focus more on the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil rather than the broader non-living environmental components. Thus, the option that captures the essence of abiotic factors is the one that identifies them as non-living elements like temperature and light.