An ecological community is a group or association of populations of two or more different species living and interacting in the same geographical area at the same time. These species may include plants, animals, and microorganisms that coexist and influence each other within a shared environment, also called a biotope

. Key characteristics of an ecological community include:

• It consists of multiple species populations that interact with each other, forming a complex system rather than just a simple sum of individual organisms

• Species interactions within the community affect ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, energy flow, and the structure and dynamics of the community

• Communities are shaped by both biotic factors (species interactions, presence of keystone or foundation species) and abiotic factors (climate, soil pH, temperature)

• The structure of a community is described by species richness (number of species), species diversity, and the relative abundance of species

• Communities can change over time due to disturbances or ecological succession, which alters species composition and interactions

• Ecological communities vary widely depending on environmental conditions, such as desert plant communities versus tropical rainforest communities

In summary, an ecological community is a dynamic assembly of interacting species sharing a habitat, whose composition and function are influenced by both living organisms and their physical environment