Ecosystem vs. Community — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 14, 2024
An ecosystem includes all living organisms and non-living components in an area, while a community comprises only the living organisms interacting within an ecosystem.
Difference Between Ecosystem and Community
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An ecosystem encompasses both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) elements of an environment, providing a broad scope for studying ecological dynamics. On the other hand, a community focuses solely on the interactions among living species, excluding physical and chemical aspects of the environment.
In an ecosystem, energy flow and nutrient cycles are critical topics, as they involve both organic and inorganic components. Whereas, community dynamics are primarily concerned with biological interactions such as predation, competition, and symbiosis.
The study of ecosystems often involves understanding how external factors like climate and geography impact the area. Conversely, community ecology might focus more on internal factors like species diversity and population density.
Conservation efforts in ecosystems aim to preserve the integrity of both the living organisms and their physical surroundings. In contrast, conservation of a community might specifically aim at protecting the interactions and well-being of species within a biological group.
Ecosystem stability depends on factors like biodiversity, productivity, and resilience to disturbances that include both living and non-living components. Community stability, however, is often gauged by species diversity and interaction strength among organisms.
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Comparison Chart
Components
Includes living organisms and non-living factors
Includes only living organisms
Focus of Study
Energy flows, nutrient cycling
Species interactions, population dynamics
Conservation Targets
Both biotic and abiotic components
Primarily biotic components
Impact of Changes
Affected by both internal biological and external environmental changes
Mostly affected by changes in biological factors
Example of Study Area
A forest with its soil, water, plants, and animals
The fish species within a coral reef
Compare with Definitions
Ecosystem
A system that includes all biotic and abiotic elements in a particular area.
Marine ecosystems are affected by both the organisms within them and the salinity of the water.
Community
An ecological entity focused on living beings and their relationships.
Studying the community structure helps understand biodiversity.
Ecosystem
An ecological environment considered in terms of habitable conditions for different organisms.
The wetland ecosystem provides a unique habitat for migratory birds.
Community
A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g.
Ecosystem
A unit of ecological study that focuses on interactions and energy flows.
Studying the tundra ecosystem involves understanding the cold climate and energy conservation.
Community
A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government.
Ecosystem
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
The Amazon rainforest ecosystem includes numerous plant and animal species as well as the climate and soil.
Community
The district or locality in which such a group lives.
Ecosystem
A dynamic complex where living organisms interact with their surroundings.
Desert ecosystems show how life adapts to extreme arid conditions.
Community
A group of people having common interests
The scientific community.
The international business community.
Ecosystem
An ecosystem (or ecological system) consists of all the organisms and the physical environment with which they interact. These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows.
Community
A group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society
The gay community.
The community of color.
Ecosystem
An ecological community together with its environment, functioning as a unit.
Community
Similarity or identity
A community of interests.
Ecosystem
A system formed by an ecological community and its environment that functions as a unit.
Community
Sharing, participation, and fellowship
A sense of community.
Ecosystem
The interconnectedness of organisms (plants, animals, microbes) with each other and their environment.
Community
Society as a whole; the public.
Ecosystem
(by extension) A network of interconnected people or organisations that resembles a natural ecosystem due to the complex interdependencies.
The company’s ecosystem mainly comprises its supply chain, customers, end consumers and competitors.
Community
A group of organisms interacting with one another and with the environment in a specific region.
Ecosystem
A system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment
Community
The region occupied by a group of interacting organisms.
Community
(countable) A group sharing a common understanding, and often the same language, law, manners, and/or tradition.
Community
(countable) A residential or religious collective; a commune.
Community
A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other.
Community
A group of people interacting by electronic means for educational, professional, social, or other purposes; a virtual community.
Community
(uncountable) The condition of having certain attitudes and interests in common.
Community
Common enjoyment or possession; participation.
A community of goods
Community
Common character; likeness.
Community
Commonness; frequency.
Community
A local area within a county or county borough which is the lowest tier of local government, usually represented by a community council or town council, which is generally equivalent to a civil parish in England.
Community
Common possession or enjoyment; participation; as, a community of goods.
The original community of all things.
An unreserved community of thought and feeling.
Community
A body of people having common rights, privileges, or interests, or living in the same place under the same laws and regulations; as, a community of monks. Hence a number of animals living in a common home or with some apparent association of interests.
Creatures that in communities exist.
Community
Society at large; a commonwealth or state; a body politic; the public, or people in general.
Burdens upon the poorer classes of the community.
Community
Common character; likeness.
The essential community of nature between organic growth and inorganic growth.
Community
Commonness; frequency.
Eyes . . . sick and blunted with community.
Community
A group of people living in a particular local area;
The team is drawn from all parts of the community
Community
A group of people having ethnic or cultural or religious characteristics in common;
The Christian community of the apostolic age
He was well known throughout the Catholic community
Community
Common ownership;
They shared a community of possessions
Community
A group of nations having common interests;
They hoped to join the NATO community
Community
The body of people in a learned occupation;
The news spread rapidly through the medical community
Community
Agreement as to goals;
The preachers and the bootleggers found they had a community of interests
Community
A district where people live; occupied primarily by private residences
Community
(ecology) a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other
Community
All the species that occupy a particular ecological area and interact.
The forest community dynamics are influenced by both predators and prey.
Community
A grouping of species, often within a specific niche or habitat.
The grassland community thrives on open, sunlit environments.
Community
The living component of an ecosystem.
The pond community changes with the introduction of a new fish species.
Common Curiosities
How do ecosystems differ from communities in terms of conservation?
Ecosystem conservation includes protecting both living organisms and their non-living environment, whereas community conservation focuses on protecting the relationships among species.
Can an ecosystem exist without a community?
No, an ecosystem cannot exist without a community because the community constitutes all living components of the ecosystem.
What defines an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is defined by the interaction between living organisms and their physical environment, including both biotic and abiotic components.
What is a community in ecology?
In ecology, a community refers to all the living organisms that interact within a specific area.
What impacts community stability?
Community stability is influenced by factors like species diversity and the nature of interactions between different organisms.
How does the study of ecosystems contribute to environmental science?
Studying ecosystems helps understand the complex interactions between organisms and their environment, essential for managing natural resources and addressing environmental issues.
What role do keystone species play in a community?
Keystone species have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance, crucial for maintaining the structure and health of the community.
What are the key components of a community in ecology?
Key components include the various species within the community and their relationships, such as competition, predation, and mutualism.
How do changes in abiotic factors affect an ecosystem?
Changes in abiotic factors such as temperature, water availability, and soil quality can significantly alter the structure and function of an ecosystem.
What is the difference between a community and a population?
A community is composed of all the living organisms in a specific area, whereas a population refers to individuals of a single species within that community.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
