plants and ecosystems

Plants are living organisms that use sunlight, water, and nutrients from the soil to grow and produce energy through a process called photosynthesis. They serve as the foundation of ecosystems, providing food, shelter, and oxygen to animals and other organisms. An ecosystem is a community of living things—plants, animals, and microorganisms—interacting with each other and their environment (soil, water, air) in a balanced system. Healthy ecosystems depend on the variety and health of plants, which support biodiversity and help maintain the Earth's environmental stability.