Final answer:
Communities are complex systems with structure and dynamics. They include the types and numbers of species present, their interactions, and how they change over time. Ecologists manage ecosystems by understanding these community characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of Communities
Communities in ecological terms are complex systems characterized by their structure and dynamics. The structure of a community includes the types and numbers of species present and their interactions, while the dynamics refer to the changes within the community over time. By understanding these characteristics, ecologists can manage ecosystems more effectively. In particular, a community's biodiversity, such as species richness, and the population size, density, and distribution of its constituent species, are critical factors.
Social Systems in Health
In terms of human communities, social systems play a vital role in determining community health. Factors such as gender, economic status, class system, and ethnicity contribute to the social characteristics of a community and influence the geography of disease and care.