In summary, what term encompasses the interactions between organisms and their physical environment?

The term that encompasses the interactions between organisms and their physical environment is "Ecosystem." An ecosystem includes not just the living components, such as plants, animals, and microbes, but also the non-living elements like water, soil, and climate. This interaction creates a network of relationships that sustains life and facilitates various processes, such as energy flow and nutrient cycling.

In ecology, the study of ecosystems involves examining how these biotic and abiotic factors interact and influence each other, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity and environmental health. While community refers specifically to different populations living together in a specific area and population focuses on a single species, neither fully captures the breadth of interactions across both living and non-living components as the term ecosystem does.