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.

• Option A: Limited food is related to biotic components (as food sources are often living organisms or products of living organisms), so it is biotic.
• Option B: No trees for shelter - trees are living organisms, so the lack of trees is related to biotic components (the presence/absence of a living thing), so it is biotic.
• Option C: Frequent high winds - wind is a non - living component of the environment, so it is an abiotic factor.
• Option D: High - flying predators - predators are living organisms, so this is a biotic factor.

Answer:

C. frequent high winds