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abiotic

abiotic

1 6.7
Not living parts of an environment, like sunlight and temperature
  • adjective
  • /ˌeɪbaɪˈɒtɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : abiotico
  • First, we characterize winter disturbances by their drivers, temporal patterns, and abiotic effects.
  • abiotic factors
  • abiotic stress
  • abiotic conditions

Examples

  • Some initiating events or conditions, such as blow-downs or springs, are all, or primarily, of abiotic origin.

    Academic text (2001)
  • So, too, can habitat change be defined objectively in biotic and abiotic terms.

    Academic text (1998)
  • It's hot or cold or wet or dry or some combination of different abiotic factors.

  • Through this research experience, my partner and I focused on the abiotic factors out in Jasper Ridge.

  • Drought is one of the most important abiotic stresses, which limits crop production in different parts of the country.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Africa's farmers face many biotic and abiotic challenges to their main crops that scientific and policy efforts must address.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Sesame crops are subjected to various abiotic and biotic stresses in all stages of growth.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Drought is a significant abiotic factor that impacts the health of many plants and crops.

  • Sunlight and temperature are critical abiotic elements determining the habitat of various species.

  • The study analyzed how different abiotic conditions affect the growth of aquatic organisms.

Synonyms

inorganic
vsabiotic
  • Specialized
13 4.7

Not made from living things and not containing carbon, for example rocks or glass

focuses on environmental factors, not on chemical composition specifics
nonbiological
vsabiotic
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A thing not made from living things, for example plastic

is narrower, referring to environmental physical and chemical elements
abiological
vsabiotic
  • Specialized
9.3

Not made by or connected to living things

is about physical and chemical environmental factors like sunlight and temperature
anorganic
vsabiotic
8.1

Not made from plants or animals

focuses on origin from living sources rather than environmental physical factors

How Biotic

living
1.0
abiotic
  • Specialized
1 6.7
nonliving
3.9

Surface Forms

abiotic positive

Morphology

abiotic = biotic (semi-transparent) = a + biotic

The meaning is a straightforward negation of 'biotic', but the scientific prefix 'a-' is less familiar and less productive for many learners than everyday negators like 'un-'.

Etymology

Abiotic comes from Greek parts a- meaning 'not' and biotic from bios meaning 'life', the same bio you see in biology. So abiotic means 'not life' and is used for things in an environment that are not alive, like sunlight, temperature, and minerals.