What concept describes the variety of species present in a specific ecological community?

The concept that describes the variety of species present in a specific ecological community is known as species richness. This term refers to the number of different species found in a particular ecological area, without consideration of the abundance of each species. Species richness is a key aspect of biodiversity and provides insight into the health and stability of an ecosystem. An increase in species richness often signifies a more diverse and resilient ecosystem, capable of withstanding environmental changes.

In the context of ecology, species composition would refer to the particular species that are present in the community, including their relative abundances. Community structure encompasses not only species richness but also how those species interact and the arrangement of species within the habitat. Habitat diversity pertains to the variety of different habitats within a particular area, rather than focusing solely on species. This distinction highlights the importance of species richness as a measure of biological diversity within an ecological community.