Final answer:
Environmental factors such as light, water, nutrients, temperature, space, predation, and disease limit the distribution and abundance of species in an ecosystem.
Step-by-step explanation:
Environmental factors play a crucial role in limiting the distribution and abundance of species in an ecosystem. These factors include light, water, nutrients, temperature, space, predation, and disease. For example, if a species requires a specific temperature range to survive, it will be limited to areas within that range. Similarly, if a species relies on a particular food source that is scarce in an ecosystem, its distribution will be limited to areas where the food source is available.
Let's take the example of a plant species that requires a certain amount of sunlight to photosynthesize. If this plant species is found in an area with dense canopy cover where sunlight is limited, its distribution will be restricted. On the other hand, if the same plant species is found in an open, sunny area where there is an abundance of sunlight, its distribution will be more widespread. In summary, environmental factors such as light, water, nutrients, temperature, space, predation, and disease act as limiting factors that determine the distribution and abundance of species in an ecosystem.