Which term describes the total number of individuals of the same species living in a defined area?

Which term describes the total number of individuals of the same species living in a defined area?

• A. Biodiversity
• B. Population
• C. Ecosystem
• D. Community

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is counting how many individuals of one species occupy a defined area. That count is the population of that species in that area. It specifically refers to the size of a single species group in a location, which is why it’s the best fit. Biodiversity relates to variety—how many different species exist and how diverse they are—not just how many individuals of one species are present. An ecosystem includes the living organisms plus the physical environment and their interactions, not just the count of one species. A community means all the populations of different species living in the same area, not the size of a single species’ group. So the term that describes the total number of individuals of the same species in a defined area is population.

The essential idea is counting how many individuals of one species occupy a defined area. That count is the population of that species in that area. It specifically refers to the size of a single species group in a location, which is why it’s the best fit.

Biodiversity relates to variety—how many different species exist and how diverse they are—not just how many individuals of one species are present. An ecosystem includes the living organisms plus the physical environment and their interactions, not just the count of one species. A community means all the populations of different species living in the same area, not the size of a single species’ group. So the term that describes the total number of individuals of the same species in a defined area is population.