The Phoenix area of the Southwestern desert typically receives 8 inches of precipitation yearly, in two seasonal patterns. Even though it is an arid region, it has high biological diversity. Thin-leaf trees abound, such as palo verde and desert ironwoods. Wide varieties of cactus thrive, including the cholla, prickly pear, and saguaro. Wildlife includes insects, reptiles, many bird species, small rodents, and other mammals. Which factor in the Southwestern desert ecosystem is abiotic?
a
a fallen palo verde leafAbiotic factors are nonliving parts of an ecosystem, such as weather and precipitation. A rainstorm is nonliving, while a seed, a fallen leaf, and a wolf spider come from living organisms. Therefore, the rainstorm is the abiotic factor.
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