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Which entity is the smallest ecological entity?

1) individual
2) population
3) community
4) ecosystem

User Yasser
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The Correct option is 1). The smallest ecological entity is the individual, with each increasing level of organization (population, community, ecosystem) including more interactions and complexities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The smallest ecological entity is the individual. In the context of ecological studies:

  • Individual refers to a single organism, which is the basic unit of ecology.
  • Population ecology deals with groups of individuals of the same species living in an area.
  • Community ecology encompasses all the different species living in a particular area.
  • Ecosystem ecology involves the study of communities and their non-living environments together.

Therefore, when we consider levels of ecological organization from least inclusive to most inclusive, the correct sequence would be individual, population, community, and ecosystem.

  • Organismal ecology focuses on individual life processes and interactions with the environment.
  • Population describes a group of interbreeding individuals of the same species in an area.
  • Community refers to all the populations of different species that interact in a specific area.
  • The distinction between a community and an ecosystem is important because the ecosystem also includes abiotic factors, not just the biotic community.
User Adam Michael Wood
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