A Community is the Network of Interacting Organisms Shaping an Ecosystem
- In a community where birds chirp, ants march, fungi decompose leaves, and plants compete for sunlight,
- Organisms don’t just coexist, they interact, creating a dynamic web of relationships that shape the ecosystem.
What is a Community?
Definition
Community
A community includes all the populations of different species living together in the same area and interacting with each other.
- Examples of communities include:
- Plants: Trees, shrubs, grasses.
- Animals: Herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
- Fungi: Mushrooms, molds, and decomposers.
- Microorganisms: Bacteria and algae that break down organic material or photosynthesize.
A pond community includes frogs, algae, water plants, fish, insects, and bacteria.
Tip- Think of a community as a web of relationships.
- Each species plays a role, and changes to one part can ripple through the entire system.
Interactions Within a Community
Interactions between species are the foundation of community dynamics, influencing survival and reproduction. These interactions can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral, influencing survival, reproduction, and resource availability.
1. Herbivory: Herbivores feed on plants or algae.
ExampleCaterpillars eating leaves (harmful to the plant, beneficial to the caterpillar) or deer grazing on grass.
2. Predation: One species (predator) hunts and eats another (prey).
ExampleWolves hunting elk in Yellowstone National Park.
