Final answer:
In both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, different factors limit growth. The limiting factor is the feature needed for growth that is in the shortest supply.
Step-by-step explanation:
In terrestrial ecosystems, factors such as temperature and moisture limit growth. In aquatic ecosystems, the availability of sunlight and the concentration of dissolved oxygen and nutrients in the water are the main limiting factors. These factors vary from place to place in a body of water and are used to define aquatic biomes.
The feature needed for growth that is in the shortest supply is called the limiting factor. In terrestrial ecosystems, water is often the limiting factor as it plays a crucial role in plant growth and cell production. In aquatic ecosystems, sunlight and dissolved oxygen are the primary limiting factors for photosynthesis and respiration, respectively.
In addition to water, other limiting factors in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems include nutrients, such as nitrogen, which are essential for plant growth and primary production. Light, temperature, space, and predation are also factors that can limit populations.