What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is defined as a community of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. In this context, the term "community" encompasses all the various species that inhabit a particular area, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. An ecosystem highlights not only the living components (the biotic factors) but also how these organisms interact with each other and with their physical surroundings (the abiotic factors such as air, water, and soil).

This definition aligns well with the idea that ecosystems are dynamic systems characterized by intricate relationships and dependencies. For example, plants provide oxygen, food, and habitat for animals, while those animals might help in the pollination of plants or in seed dispersal. Additionally, nutrients from decomposed organisms support new plant growth, illustrating the interconnectedness inherent in ecosystems.

In contrast, other options focus on related concepts but do not fully encapsulate what an ecosystem is. For instance, a collection of ecosystems in a specific area refers to a larger ecological landscape rather than a single ecosystem. Similarly, stating that an ecosystem is merely a collection of plants and animals simplifies the complexity of interactions and relationships that define an ecosystem. Lastly, identifying an ecosystem as just the physical environment where organisms live overlooks the crucial role of living interactions that occur