What does an ecosystem consist of?

An ecosystem consists of a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical surroundings, which include the non-living components such as soil, water, air, and climate. This interaction creates a system where organisms depend on each other and their environment for survival. The community encompasses the various species that inhabit the area, while the surroundings provide the necessary resources and conditions for these species to thrive.

In contrast, the other options focus either solely on specific aspects of biodiversity or on only living or non-living components. For instance, options that mention only living organisms or only physical features fail to capture the essence of an ecosystem, which is the dynamic relationship between living organisms and their environment. Thus, the definition of an ecosystem as a community interacting with its surroundings captures the holistic nature of these systems, including both biological and environmental factors.