What term describes factors that are separate and independent from living things?

The term that describes factors that are separate and independent from living things is "abiotic." In ecology, abiotic factors refer to the non-living components of an environment, which include elements such as sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and air. These factors are crucial as they influence the living organisms (biotic factors) within an ecosystem but do not possess life themselves.

For instance, water availability can determine plant growth, and soil pH can affect nutrient absorption in plants. Understanding abiotic factors is essential for managing ecosystems, especially in turf and ornamental practices, as they play a significant role in plant health and landscape design.

Biotic factors, on the other hand, encompass all living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, which interact with each other and their abiotic surroundings. Environmental factors would typically refer to both biotic and abiotic elements combined, while ecological terms may relate more broadly to the relationships and interactions in ecosystems.