Ecosystem dynamics refers to the natural processes and interactions that occur within an ecosystem, including the relationships between living organisms and their environment. These dynamics involve factors such as energy flow, nutrient cycling, and population changes, which can be influenced by both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components. Changes in one part of an ecosystem can affect the entire system. For example, if a species like wolves is removed, it can lead to an overpopulation of deer, which may then overgraze vegetation. This illustrates how interconnected the elements of an ecosystem are and how they respond to various disturbances.