"Constar" and "Consistir"

Thank you for your insightful observation! You're correct that both "constar de" and "consistir en" can be used to translate 'consist of', but there is indeed a subtle difference between them that is worth noting.

• "Constar de" is typically used to refer to the specific parts or components that make up something concrete. For example, "El libro consta de tres capítulos" (The book consists of three chapters). It emphasizes the enumeration of elements.

• "Consistir en" is generally used to describe the nature, essence, or defining characteristics of something, often in a more abstract sense. For example, "El éxito consiste en la perseverancia" (Success consists in perseverance). It highlights what something fundamentally is.

In the context of 'These ecosystems consist of a complex network of interactions', "consistir en" might be more appropriate, as it emphasizes the nature of the ecosystems as a whole.

I hope you find this explanation useful.