Question

many birds live in mountainous temperate forest ecosystems. above the tree line on mountains, however, fewer birds are found. many factors contribute to the lower number of birds seen above a mountain’s tree line. which of these attributing factors is abiotic?
a. limited food
b. no trees for shelter
c. frequent high winds
d. high - flying predators

Explanation:

To determine the abiotic factor, we recall that abiotic factors are non - living components of an ecosystem. Let's analyze each option:

• Option A: Insect food is a living (biotic) component as insects are living organisms.
• Option B: Trees are living organisms, so the absence of trees (a biotic factor - related situation) is not an abiotic factor in itself. The trees are biotic, so this is related to biotic components.
• Option C: Frequent high winds are a non - living part of the environment. Wind is a physical, non - living factor, so it is an abiotic factor.
• Option D: High - flying predators are living organisms, so they are biotic factors.

Answer:

C. frequent high winds