Final answer:
The rock and soil, air, water, and living things form an interconnected system because they rely on one another for the movement of matter and energy, creating a dynamic web important for sustaining life and ecosystem functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rock and soil, the air, the water, and living things form a system because they are interconnected and rely on one another for survival. Soil, which is a combination of eroded rock, minerals, organic matter, and other materials, acts as the foundation for plant growth and, consequently, for all terrestrial ecosystems. It provides essential nutrients for plants and has the capability to detoxify water and decompose waste.
The air in the soil is equally important as it supplies oxygen to both plants and soil organisms. Water in soil not only sustains plants but also helps to transport nutrients to them and plays a role in organizing the solid components of the soil. The living organisms in the soil, such as fungi, bacteria, invertebrates, and others, are vital for processes like decomposing large molecules into smaller units that can then be absorbed by plants.
Within this system, each component interacts with the others, affecting the movement of matter and energy. These interactions between living systems and their environment underscore the dynamic web of relationships that sustain life. For example, living things can alter the gas composition of the air, which then affects other living organisms; these changes in the air and living organisms in turn influence water movement and the physical structure of the soil. Similarly, the soil's solid constituents can affect water chemistry, which may lead to changes in the soil's physical state. Therefore, the relationship between these components is not simply additive but rather a complex, interdependent web that facilitates a wide range of functions in ecosystems.