Final answer:
The troposphere is the layer of Earth's atmosphere where most weather changes occur, influencing temperature and moisture levels that affect living and nonliving organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The layer where most weather changes that affect living and nonliving organisms occur is the troposphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere and extends from the Earth's surface up to about 6-20 kilometers (4-12 miles) in altitude. Almost all weather phenomena (cloud formation, rain, snow, and storms) take place in the troposphere. It is the layer where humans and most other forms of life on Earth exist and where the biosphere interactions take place. Temperature and moisture, crucial factors for life, are largely regulated within this layer.
Temperature is an important abiotic factor both on land and in bodies of water such as lakes and ponds. For example, in bodies of water, thermal stratification occurs during the summer creating layers that mix again during fall turnover. Similar thermal dynamics within the troposphere affect weather patterns and, consequently, the global distribution and activities of organisms.