What are ecosystems?

An ecosystem is like a neighborhood where all living and non-living things work together to stay happy and healthy.

Imagine you're in a park, there are trees, flowers, birds, squirrels, maybe even people walking by. That’s an ecosystem! It's not just the plants and animals, though. There's also soil, water, air, and sunlight, all of these help keep things going.

In a ecosystem, everything is connected. The trees use sunlight to make food, which helps them grow. Squirrels eat nuts from the trees, and in return, they spread seeds around so new trees can grow. Even the soil helps, it holds water and gives plants nutrients.

You could think of an ecosystem like a big family where everyone has a job. Some members cook (like the sun), some clean up (like rain), and others help keep things running smoothly (like bacteria in the soil).

Without one part, the whole neighborhood might get a bit messy or quiet, but it still works pretty well!