Community ecology

Science

Definition

Community ecology studies the interactions between different species living in the same area. It examines relationships such as competition, predation, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism, and how these interactions shape species diversity and abundance.

Examples

  • Wolves and elk in Yellowstone demonstrate predator-prey dynamics that affect the entire community
  • Coral reefs are highly diverse communities with mutualistic relationships between corals and zooxanthellae algae
  • Invasive species like zebra mussels can disrupt existing community interactions by outcompeting native species

Related Terms

Ecosystems Population ecology Biodiversity Food webs

Study This Concept

Practice community ecology with free review games in these units:

AP Biology Unit 8: Ecology