When the moisture condenses, this results in the release of energy. The energy causes the air to be warm and results in the rise of air in the upper atmosphere. This process results in the instability in the atmosphere and cumulonimbus clouds are formed. These clouds support lightening during a thunderstorm.
When warm moist air meets colder drier air, the warm air rises, the water vapor condenses in the air, and forms a cloud. As the water vapor condenses it releases heat, which is a form of energy.
If all plants were to die, photosynthesis wouldn't occur and that would affect the ecosystem because every other biotic organism would not have oxygen to breathe.