An ecosystem is an interacting system of plants, animals and humans and their surrounding physical environment. An ecosystem contains living and non-living organisms that each provide or contribute to a unique service or function that other organisms depend upon. An ecosystem in not merely a collection of organisms. It is a system of interrelationships, interactions and processes. The flow of energy and the cycling of matter are two important processes in an ecosystem. Green plants capture and process solar energy, and through food webs animals transfer the energy throughout the ecosystem. Plants, animals and chemical processes continually use and recycle organic material and nutrients in an ecosystem.
