Which term describes a system composed of organisms and nonliving components of an environment?

An ecosystem is defined as a system that includes both the living organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, and the nonliving components of their environment, including soil, water, air, and climate. The interactions within an ecosystem involve various processes such as energy flow, nutrient cycling, and the relationships between different species and their physical surroundings.

This concept is essential for understanding how organisms adapt and thrive in their habitats, as well as how they contribute to the overall health and balance of the environment. Other terms, such as population and community, focus more specifically on groups of organisms rather than the broader interactions and relationships that include nonliving elements, which makes 'ecosystem' the most comprehensive and accurate term in this context.