How does a community differ from an ecosystem?

The distinction between a community and an ecosystem lies primarily in their definitions. A community is composed of various populations of different species that coexist in a specific area, interacting with one another. This includes all animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms living in that specified locality.

On the other hand, an ecosystem encompasses both the biological community of living organisms and the abiotic components of their environment, such as water, soil, air, and climate. In simpler terms, a community is a subset of an ecosystem, representing just the living aspect, while an ecosystem includes all the living forms (the community) and their physical surroundings.

This answer captures the comprehensive nature of ecological organization, illustrating how communities focus solely on the living organisms and ecosystems cover the broader interaction of these organisms with their environment. Understanding this concept helps clarify the complexity of biological and ecological studies.