Final answer:
An ecosystem is a set of interacting components that include both living organisms and non-living aspects of the environment. It works together to store and move nutrients and energy. The water cycle is an example of the interconnection between abiotic and biotic components, and the loss of wetlands has significant impacts on ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ecosystem is a set of interacting components that include both living organisms (biotic factors) and non-living aspects of the environment (abiotic factors). The biotic components include all the populations of species that live and interact in the ecosystem, while the abiotic components include air, water, soil, temperature, sunlight, and minerals in the soil.
An ecosystem works together to do work, which includes storing and moving nutrients and energy among organisms and the surrounding air, soil, and water. The water cycle is an example of how the abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem are interconnected and essential for life on Earth. Water continuously moves between living organisms, such as plants, and non-living things, such as clouds, rivers, and oceans.
The loss of wetlands, which are rich habitats and filters for pollution, has a significant impact on both the biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem. Forest ecosystems, in particular, regulate a large portion of the planet's watersheds and are crucial for maintaining freshwater resources.