Which of the following statements about ecosystems is true?

Ecosystems are complex systems that encompass various interactions between living organisms, known as biotic factors, and non-living elements, referred to as abiotic factors. The assertion that ecosystems involve interactions between these two categories is fundamental to understanding ecosystem dynamics. For example, plants (biotic factors) require sunlight and water (abiotic factors) to grow, while animals interact with both the plants and the physical environment.

The interplay between biotic and abiotic factors affects everything from nutrient cycling to energy flow, contributing to the overall health and stability of an ecosystem. Thus, recognizing the importance of both groups is key to understanding ecological relationships and processes.

In contrast, while ecosystems can exhibit certain hierarchical structures (like food webs or trophic levels), they do not always conform to a strict hierarchy. Ecosystems are also dynamic rather than static; they change over time due to natural events, human influence, and interactions among organisms. Lastly, focusing solely on biotic factors ignores the critical roles that abiotic factors play in sustaining life, leading to a misunderstanding of how ecosystems function.