Which of the following describes an ecosystem involving both living and non-living components?

An ecosystem is defined as a system that includes all living organisms (the biotic components) in a certain area, as well as the non-living elements (abiotic components) such as air, water, soil, and climate that interact with those organisms. This interaction creates a network of relationships that sustain both the living organisms and their environment.

In contrast, a population refers specifically to a group of individuals belonging to the same species living in a certain area. A community consists of different populations of various species living in the same environment but does not encompass the non-living elements. The biosphere represents the global sum of all ecosystems—essentially the zones of life on Earth—but does not refer to a specific local system of interactions like an ecosystem does. Hence, the term 'ecosystem' is the most accurate description of a system involving both living and non-living components interacting together.