Which of these factors is the primary abiotic factor affecting ecosystems?

Temperature is the primary abiotic factor affecting ecosystems because it plays a crucial role in determining the distribution of organisms, their biological activities, and the overall functioning of an ecosystem. It influences metabolic rates and growth patterns in plants and animals, affecting their survival and reproductive success.

For instance, temperature variability can dictate the types of species that can thrive in a particular environment. Different organisms have specific temperature ranges they can tolerate, which influences their habitats. Additionally, temperature affects various ecological processes, such as photosynthesis in plants, which in turn impacts food webs and energy flow.

In contrast, the other options refer to biotic factors, which involve interactions among living organisms rather than non-living environmental conditions. Predation and symbiosis represent interactions that shape community dynamics, while competition pertains to how organisms vie for limited resources. Although these biotic factors are essential in shaping ecosystems, they are ultimately influenced by the abiotic conditions, such as temperature, that determine the environmental context in which these interactions occur.