BIOLOGY - Environment - What is an ecosystem

Ecosystems consist of interactions among organisms and their environment. Plants, as primary producers, convert CO2 and water into energy-rich carbohydrates using sunlight. Consumers, or heterotrophs, rely on these producers for energy. Energy and nutrients cycle through ecosystems as organisms consume one another, with some energy lost as heat. Ecosystems are dynamic, with populations fluctuating and adapting to climatic changes. Diverse ecosystems tend to be more stable, though natural disasters can cause significant changes. Coral reefs exemplify a diverse and resilient ecosystem, featuring symbiotic relationships and a wide array of marine life.

What is the significance of death and decay in an ecosystem?

Describe the symbiotic relationship mentioned in the text and its importance to the ecosystem.