What term is used to refer to the collection of organisms of the same species living in a particular area?

The term that refers to the collection of organisms of the same species living in a particular area is population. In ecology, a population includes all individuals of a specific species that occupy a certain habitat at a given time. This is crucial for understanding species dynamics, reproduction, and interaction with resources and other species.

For example, if you consider a forest, the population of oak trees consists of all the oak trees living in that forest. This concept is fundamental in ecology as it helps scientists and researchers study evolutionary processes, population dynamics, and conservation efforts. Understanding populations allows for better management of species and habitats, which is vital for maintaining biodiversity.

The other terms refer to different ecological levels: a community includes all the different populations (species) that inhabit a specific area, an ecosystem encompasses the community along with the physical environment, and the biosphere represents the global sum of all ecosystems.