An ecosystem is best defined as a community of organisms interacting with their environment. This definition encompasses both the biotic components, which include all living organisms such as plants, animals, and microbes, as well as the abiotic components, which consist of non-living factors like water, soil, air, and sunlight. The interactions between these living organisms and their physical surroundings create a dynamic system where energy flow and nutrient cycling occur, ultimately sustaining life.
This definition highlights the relationship and interactions between organisms and their environment, emphasizing that ecosystems are not just about the organisms themselves or the environment in isolation, but rather the intricate network of interactions that sustain the system as a whole. Understanding ecosystems in this way is crucial to studying biology, as it illustrates the complexity and interconnectedness of life.