Can a community contain two populations of the same species?

No, a community can’t contain multiple populations of the same species. In ecology, a community refers to a group of interacting species inhabiting the same area and sharing resources. Within a community, different populations of the same species may occupy distinct niches or habitats, leading to spatial segregation or resource partitioning.

For example, in a forest community, one population of a bird species might predominantly inhabit the canopy, while another population of the same species occupies the forest understory. These populations may have different foraging behaviors, diet preferences, or nesting habits, allowing them to coexist within the same ecosystem without directly competing for resources.

This phenomenon, known as ecological niche differentiation, enables multiple populations of the same species to thrive within a community by minimizing competition and maximizing resource utilization.

Relevant Links:

• Population Ecology
• Community Ecology
• Ecology
• Are Species and Populations the Same Thing?
• How are Species and Populations Related?
• Organism and Population Notes Class 12 Biology Chapter 11