Ask AI: 1C. Describe an ecosystem in your own words.

Sure! An ecosystem, in simple terms, is a self-contained, dynamic system of plants, animals, and micro-organisms coexisting together along with non-living components like air, water, and solar energy within a specific environment. Each part of the ecosystem interacts and intertwines with others, creating a complex and interconnected web of life. This includes processes like the cycling of nutrients, food chains, and the delicate balance that gives and sustains life. It can vary in size - it can be as large as a forest or as small as a puddle. Changes or disruptions in one part of the ecosystem often ripple through the system and cause changes in the other parts as well.