What are limiting factors in an ecosystem?

Limiting factors in an ecosystem are conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of organisms. These factors can be biotic, such as the availability of food, water, and mates, or abiotic, such as temperature, sunlight, and nutrient availability. When these conditions are not favorable, they can hinder the ability of species to thrive and reproduce, thereby influencing the overall dynamics and health of the ecosystem.

Understanding limiting factors is crucial because they play a vital role in population control and can determine the carrying capacity of an environment. For example, if a particular habitat has limited water supply, even if the food is abundant, the population of organisms in that area may not be able to grow or sustain itself indefinitely.

In contrast, the other options do not correctly define limiting factors. Options that discuss organisms promoting population growth, keystone species, or factors enhancing biodiversity fail to capture the essence of limiting factors, which fundamentally focus on restrictions and constraints within the ecosystem.