Why are the non-living things important to an ecosystem?

well just like grass that helps animals eat rocks may give an animal a home

plants need sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make food. plants use the raw materials of water, nutrients they absorb from soil, and carbon dioxide to make sugars the plant can use. energy from the sun and chlorophyll are also needed.

with this one i know the answer in craters one reason i looked it up and i learned about it there is my evidence