What is defined as individuals of the same species within a specific area?

The term that refers to individuals of the same species within a specific area is population. A population encompasses all the members of a species living in a defined geographic area at a given time, sharing resources, mating, and interacting with one another. This definition highlights the collective dynamics of reproductive and ecological interactions that occur among individuals of the same species.

In contrast, a community refers to all the populations of different species that inhabit a particular area, interacting with one another. An ecosystem includes the community along with the physical environment, incorporating biotic and abiotic factors. A biome is a larger classification that encompasses multiple ecosystems sharing similar climatic conditions and types of vegetation, typically characterized by temperature and precipitation patterns.

By understanding what constitutes a population, it becomes clear how this concept plays a foundational role in ecological studies, focusing solely on one species rather than the interactions among numerous species or with the environment itself.