What term describes a group of organisms that all make their living in the same way?

The term "guild" refers to a group of organisms that exploit the same class of environmental resources in a similar way, regardless of their taxonomic classification. This concept is significant in ecology as it highlights the interactions and ecological roles of species that may not be closely related biologically but share similar ecological niches or functions.

For example, within a forest, a variety of bird species might all feed on insects found in the trees. Although these birds may belong to different families or genera, they form a guild because they are all engaging in a similar feeding strategy and are utilizing the same resources for sustenance. This allows ecologists to study resource use and competition among species more effectively.

In contrast, the other terms provided do not specifically capture this idea of organisms working in similar ways within the same ecological context. A community refers to all the different species living and interacting in a given area, a population focuses on individuals of the same species in a specific area, and an assemblage is a more general term that can refer to any collection of organisms, without the specific context of resource use or ecological function that defines a guild.