Extremely high temperatures in a grassland cause the ecosystem's carrying capacity for prairie dogs to decrease. Which two terms describe the temperature is this scenario?

A. biotic factor

B. limiting factor

C. abiotic factor

D. niche

Answer: Abiotic factor and limiting factor.

Explanation:

Temperature is an abiotic factor though it affects the biotic components of an ecosystem. Increase in temperature could have lead to depletion of producers and this leads to decrease in the number of herbivores.

Decrease in the number of herbivores will decrease the food available for the prairie dogs. The food acts as limiting factor for the dog and hence affects the carrying capacity.

In fact, the carrying capacity for the prairie dogs would have decreased.

B. limiting factors

C. abiotic factor.