What is a group of different species in a defined area called?

A group of different species living and interacting in a defined area is referred to as a community. In ecological terms, a community includes various populations of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that coexist in a particular region and interact with one another through relationships such as predation, competition, and symbiosis. This idea emphasizes not just the presence of multiple species, but also their interactions and connections within the shared environment.

The other terms have different meanings in ecology. A population refers specifically to individuals of a single species living in a particular area. An ecosystem encompasses both the living organisms in a community and the abiotic (non-living) components of their environment, forming a broader context that includes energy flow and nutrient cycling. A region is a more general geographical term and does not necessarily imply specific biological interactions or the presence of various species.