why is it important for scientists who study ecosystems to study more than the organisms that live there?

It is important for scientists studying ecosystems to study more than just the organisms living there because ecosystems are complex systems involving interactions among organisms as well as their physical environment, energy flows, and material cycles. Focusing only on organisms overlooks critical abiotic factors like water, nutrients, climate, and energy dynamics, which shape ecosystem functioning and health. Ecosystem studies integrate the flow of energy and materials within and between living communities and the non- living environment. This approach helps scientists address complex environmental issues such as pollution, climate change, and resource availability. Organisms regulate energy and element transfers while abiotic systems influence these processes; studying both together reveals feedback mechanisms that impact both biology and the environment. Understanding ecosystems as whole systems—including biological diversity, species interactions, physical landscapes, and chemical cycles—is essential for ecological management, conservation, and predicting how ecosystems respond to human activities and natural changes. This integrated view allows better insight into the health and sustainability of ecosystems beyond what organism- focused studies can provide.