What term describes the non-living components of an ecosystem?

The term that describes the non-living components of an ecosystem is abiotic factors. Abiotic factors encompass all the physical and chemical elements in the environment that influence living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems. These may include sunlight, temperature, water, air, minerals, and soil. Understanding abiotic factors is essential because they play a crucial role in shaping the habitats and conditions that affect how ecosystems develop and the types of organisms that can thrive within them.

The other terms listed do not fit the definition of non-living components. Biological magnification refers to the increasing concentration of toxins in organisms as they move up the food chain. Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an environment can sustain, which primarily relates to living organisms. Predation describes the interaction where one organism captures and feeds on another, highlighting a biological relationship rather than focusing on the non-living aspects of the ecosystem.