Which of the following best illustrates an abiotic component of the environment affecting a biotic component of the environment?
a. composted manure is added to agricultural soil during spring tilling
b. coral reefs modify the direction of an ocean current
c. plants release o2 into the atmosphere during photosynthesis
d. low phosphorus content in soil limits the growth of vegetation
e. a thick planting of ground cover reduces soil erosion on a hillside

D

Explanation:

In ecology, abiotic components or factors are non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment. They include things such as sunlight, temperature, wind, water, soil and available nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus).

Biotic factors are the living parts of an environment such as plants, animals, and microbes.

Abiotic components affect living organisms (biotic factor) and the functioning of an ecosystem. Together, abiotic and biotic factors make up the ecosystem. Both biotic and abiotic factors are related to each other in an ecosystem, and if one factor is changed or removed, it can affect the entire ecosystem. Abiotic factors are especially important because they directly affect how biotic organisms survive.

In this question, Phosphorus content of the soil is an abiotic factor affecting the growth of a vegetation (biotic factors).