The difference between a community and a population is
that a community refers to a group of interacting organisms or species living in the same habitat, while a population refers to the total number of individuals of a particular species living in a specific area.
A community consists of different populations of various species interacting with each other, with relationships such as predation, competition, mutualism, and parasitism. These interactions shape the dynamics and ecological processes within a community. For example, a forest community may include populations of trees, plants, insects, birds, and mammals, all interacting and affecting each other's populations through food webs, reproductive strategies, and other ecological processes.
On the other hand, a population refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area at a given time. It focuses on the study of a particular species, including population size, density, distribution, and genetic composition. Population dynamics involve the changes in population size due to birth, death, immigration, and emigration. Understanding population dynamics is crucial for ecological and conservation studies, as it helps in predicting species abundance and responding to changes in their environment.
In summary, a community refers to a group of interacting species living in the same habitat, while a population refers to the total number of individuals of a particular species in a specific area.