Mother Nature’s delicate balance

“It’s a place where everybody lives. It’s important because everyone

helps everyone else. People breathe in oxygen and breathe out [carbon

dioxide]. Plants breathe that in and breathe out oxygen.”

BROOKE MORROW, 9

Costa Mesa

“An ecosystem is where something lives. It’s important because

everyone works together.”

ASHLEY NEPPL, 10

Costa Mesa

“An ecosystem is where plants and animals live. It’s important

because they have to work together to make their land a better

place.”

BROOKE WANBAUGH, 10

Costa Mesa

“It’s where animals and people and things live. They help each

other out, bringing food and using materials from nature.”

ANGEL FLORES, 10

Costa Mesa

“It’s where plants, people and animals live. Everything -- trees,

flowers, animals -- live there to make it habitable.”

PRAVJOT SINGH, 10

Costa Mesa

“It’s where people and plants and animals live. People give to the

plants and plants give oxygen to people.”

EDUARDO ACEVEDO, 10

Costa Mesa

-- Interviews compiled by

Marisa O’Neil and photos taken by Don Leach