Which of the following is an example of an ecosystem?

• A. A group of mushrooms of the same species
• B. A population of wolves in a forest
• C. A pond with fish, plants, water, and microorganisms
• D. A single oak tree

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of an ecosystem. An ecosystem is a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, including both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.
2. Step 2: Analyze each option provided in the question. Determine whether each example includes both biotic and abiotic components interacting together.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the first option, 'A group of mushrooms of the same species.' This represents a population, which is a group of organisms of the same species living in a specific area, but it does not include abiotic components or interactions with other species.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the second option, 'A population of wolves in a forest.' This represents a population as well, focusing on a single species, but it does not encompass the full range of biotic and abiotic interactions required for an ecosystem.
5. Step 5: Evaluate the third option, 'A pond with fish, plants, water, and microorganisms.' This includes both biotic components (fish, plants, microorganisms) and abiotic components (water), and it represents the interactions between these components, making it an example of an ecosystem.