Which ecological principle encompasses both abiotic and biotic factors?

The ecological principle that encompasses both abiotic and biotic factors is the ecosystem. An ecosystem is defined as a community of living organisms (biotic factors) interacting with each other and their physical environment (abiotic factors), which includes elements such as soil, water, temperature, and sunlight. This holistic perspective allows for the understanding of how these living and non-living components function together to create a dynamic environment.

In contrast, climate refers specifically to the long-term atmospheric conditions in a particular area and does not include the biotic interactions that are essential to an ecosystem. A biome is a larger classification of ecosystems that share similar climate and ecological characteristics but does not account for the specific interactions or components within a particular ecosystem. A population focuses on a single species within a given area and does not consider the entire biological community or the abiotic factors that influence it. Therefore, the ecosystem as a concept uniquely integrates both biotic and abiotic aspects, making it the most comprehensive choice.