Ecosystem vs. Community — What's the Difference?

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.

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.

An ecological community together with its environment, functioning as a unit.

A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government.

A system formed by an ecological community and its environment that functions as a unit.

The district or locality in which such a group lives.

The interconnectedness of organisms (plants, animals, microbes) with each other and their environment.

A group of people having common interests

(by extension) A network of interconnected people or organisations that resembles a natural ecosystem due to the complex interdependencies.

A group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society

A system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment

Similarity or identity

Sharing, participation, and fellowship

Society as a whole; the public.

A group of organisms interacting with one another and with the environment in a specific region.

The region occupied by a group of interacting organisms.

(countable) A group sharing a common understanding, and often the same language, law, manners, and/or tradition.

(countable) A residential or religious collective; a commune.

A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other.

A group of people interacting by electronic means for educational, professional, social, or other purposes; a virtual community.

(uncountable) The condition of having certain attitudes and interests in common.

Common enjoyment or possession; participation.

Common character; likeness.

Commonness; frequency.

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.

Common possession or enjoyment; participation; as, a community of goods.

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.

Society at large; a commonwealth or state; a body politic; the public, or people in general.

Common character; likeness.

Commonness; frequency.

A group of people living in a particular local area;

A group of people having ethnic or cultural or religious characteristics in common;

Common ownership;

A group of nations having common interests;

The body of people in a learned occupation;

Agreement as to goals;

A district where people live; occupied primarily by private residences

(ecology) a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other