Abiotic factors are the non-living components of an ecosystem that influence the environment and the organisms within it. These factors include elements such as temperature, water, light, soil, and air. They play a crucial role in determining the types of organisms that can thrive in a particular habitat, as well as their behaviors and interactions. These factors can vary widely across different ecosystems. For example, a desert has high temperatures and low water availability, while a rainforest has abundant rainfall and moderate temperatures. Understanding abiotic factors helps scientists and ecologists assess the health of ecosystems and predict how changes in the environment may impact living organisms.