A biological community in its environment such as a pond, an ocean, a forest, even an aquarium is known as

An ecosystem is defined as a structural and functional unit of the biosphere where a community of living organisms (biotic components) interacts with its physical environment (abiotic components) [5]. This interaction involves the exchange of materials and energy flow [3]. Ecosystems vary significantly in scale; they can be as small as a tide pool or an aquarium, or as large as a forest or an entire ocean [5]. While a biome is a larger regional unit characterized by major vegetation types and climate, it is essentially composed of several smaller ecosystems [1]. A community refers only to the assemblage of different populations of species living together, whereas the term 'ecosystem' specifically encompasses both that biological community and its surrounding environment [2]. Therefore, examples like ponds, forests, and aquariums represent ecosystems because they include both living organisms and their non-living physical settings [3].

Sources

1. [2] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 12: How Nature Works in Harmony > Criterion 3 > p. 197
2. [5] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ecosystem/
3. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > aquatic ecosystems. > p. 25
4. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > Definition of a biome. > p. 3