Which of the following is NOT listed as a limiting factor for the distribution of organisms?

Soil composition is not typically listed as a limiting factor for the distribution of organisms in broad ecological contexts when compared to temperature, water availability, and salinity. Limiting factors are those environmental conditions that restrict the growth, abundance, or distribution of an organism or a population of organisms.

Temperature significantly influences metabolic rates and physiological processes, affecting where organisms can live. Water availability is crucial for all life forms and plays a critical role in determining the types of organisms that can thrive in a given area. Salinity affects aquatic organisms, influencing their survival and reproduction based on their ability to osmoregulate in varying salt concentrations.

While soil composition certainly affects specific ecosystems and can determine what types of plants grow in an area, it is not regarded as a primary limiting factor in the broader sense of organism distribution across different habitats. Hence, it is correct to identify it as not being a general limiting factor alongside the others listed.