The Individuals and the Ecosystem

Individuals are single organisms—plants, animals, or humans—that exist in an environment. An ecosystem includes all these living individuals and the non-living surroundings like air, water, and soil that support life. The relationship between individuals and the ecosystem is symbiotic: organisms depend on their environment for resources, while their activities can change the ecosystem. Healthy ecosystems sustain diverse individuals, which in turn contribute to ecological balance and resilience, enabling all forms of life to thrive together.