Final answer:
A set of local communities linked by multiple interacting species is referred to as a metacommunity, which is a concept within the study of community ecology focusing on the interactions and species richness within ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
A set of local communities that are linked by the dispersal of multiple, potentially interacting species is referred to as a metacommunity. The term encapsulates the concept that communities are not isolated but are connected through the exchange of species, allowing for interactions across localities. These interactions often play a significant role in regulating population growth and abundance, contributing to the dynamic nature of ecosystems.
Understanding these interactions is a critical aspect of community ecology, which explores how species interact within their communities and compete for the same resources. The study of community ecology helps scientists to discern patterns of species distribution and the structures that arise from ecological interactions such as predation, competition, and various forms of symbiosis, like mutualism and parasitism. Diverse communities, like those in tropical rainforests, exhibit complex webs of relationships that are still not fully understood due to their immense species richness.