1. a socially organized set of species members living in a physically defined locality. Human communities are often characterized by (a) commonality of interests, attitudes, and values; (b) a general sense of belonging to a unified, socially integrated group; (c) members’ self-identification as community members; and (d) some system of communication, governance, education, and commerce. In general parlance, “the community” often means society or the general public.

2. a collection of individuals who are not socially connected but do have common interests or shared qualities and are therefore perceived by others or by themselves as distinctive in some way (e.g., the scientific community).

3. in behavioral ecology, a unit comprising all the animal and plant species that coexist and are necessary for each other’s survival. Thus, a community includes predator and prey species as well as the various plants that animals need for food, shelter, and so forth; the plants may benefit from the presence of the animals in the community through seed dispersal or interspecies interactions.