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Which nonliving factors are part of an ecosystem?

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Diagram illustrating Earth's environmental spheres, with labeled sections showing the geosphere (land and crust), biosphere (living things), atmosphere (air), and hydrosphere (water), each extending vertically from the Earth's surface. — Biosphere Earth's environment includes the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere, and the biosphere.

In an ecosystem, the nonliving, or abiotic, factors are the essential environmental elements that support and interact with living organisms. These components provide the necessary resources for life and include the following:

Physical and Chemical Factors: These encompass climate, sunlight, soil, and water.3
Energy and Nutrients: The abiotic portion includes the flow of energy through the system and the availability of nutrients, such as minerals.31
Substances: This includes various gases and the concentrations of both organic and inorganic substances present in the environment.21

These nonliving components are inseparably interrelated with the biotic (living) constituents of the ecosystem, forming a complex system where matter is continuously cycled and energy flows to sustain life.23