What do we call a group of plants and animals living and interacting with each other in a specific location?

A community refers to a group of various species of plants and animals that coexist and interact within a specific geographic area. These interactions can include competition for resources, predation, symbiosis, and other ecological processes. The key aspect of a community is the focus on the relationships and interactions among multiple species, rather than just one species or the physical environment.

In contrast, a population pertains to a single species living in a particular area, while an ecosystem encompasses both the living (biotic) components, such as the community of organisms, and the non-living (abiotic) components like water, soil, and climate. A biome represents larger geographic areas characterized by specific climates, flora, and fauna, not just the interactions occurring in a localized environment. Therefore, the term community specifically captures the essence of multiple species interacting in a shared habitat.