What is the difference between a population and a community?
A population refers to a group of individuals of the same species that live in the same geographic area at the same time. It is a term used in ecology to quantify and study the size, dynamics, and characteristics of a particular species within a given area.
On the other hand, a community refers to a group of populations of different species that live and interact in the same geographic area at the same time. It includes all the various populations of organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, that coexist and interact within a given ecosystem. The interactions between different populations in a community can be diverse, including competition, predation, mutualism, and other ecological relationships.
In summary, while a population refers to a group of individuals of the same species, a community refers to a group of populations of different species that interact within a specific area or ecosystem.