What term refers to a living community of plants and animals sharing an environment?

The term that refers to a living community of plants and animals sharing an environment is "ecosystem." An ecosystem encompasses not only the living organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, but also their interactions with one another and their physical environment. This includes factors like soil, water, and climate. The intricate balance of these interactions supports the sustainability of life within that particular environment.

A habitat is more specific and denotes the physical space where an organism lives, while a biome refers to larger geographical areas characterized by distinct climates and ecosystems, such as forests or deserts. Biotope signifies a specific area with uniform environmental conditions that can support a particular community of organisms, but it lacks the dynamic interactions implied by the term ecosystem. Therefore, ecosystem is the most comprehensive term that encapsulates the relationships between living organisms and their environment.