What is the role of ecosystems in environmental geography?

Ecosystems play a significant role in environmental geography as they represent complex networks composed of living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, interacting with each other and their physical surroundings, such as air, water, and soil. This interaction is fundamental to understanding how energy flows through the environment, nutrient cycles function, and how species adaptations occur in different habitats.

Studying ecosystems allows geographers to analyze biodiversity, the impacts of climate change, habitat destruction, and how these elements affect human populations and their activities. Ecosystems can vary widely from forests and wetlands to deserts and coral reefs, making them critical in detailing the interrelationship between biotic and abiotic components of the Earth.

The other options do not capture the full scope of what ecosystems entail. While some ecosystems may be less influenced by humans, ecosystems as a whole include a range of interactions, regardless of human presence. Ecosystems are not limited to only terrestrial habitats; they also encompass aquatic environments. Finally, ecosystems are not solely focused on urban areas; they involve both natural and human-influenced landscapes, which are essential for a holistic understanding of environmental geography.