Here's why:
* Ecosystems are made of communities: An ecosystem is the interconnected web of living organisms (biotic factors) and their non-living environment (abiotic factors). Communities are the groups of different species that live together within an ecosystem. Think of it like this:
* Ecosystem: The whole forest, including the trees, soil, air, water, and all the animals living there.
* Community: All the birds, insects, mammals, and plants that live in the forest.
* Communities within an ecosystem: Ecosystems can be very diverse, and often contain several different communities within them. For example, a forest ecosystem might have a community of birds in the canopy, a community of insects in the undergrowth, and a community of fish in the stream running through it. These communities are connected and rely on each other for survival.
* Disturbances and changes: Over time, ecosystems can be disturbed by natural events like fires, floods, or even human activities. These disturbances can cause changes to the communities within the ecosystem. Some species may thrive in the new conditions, while others may struggle or even disappear. This dynamic process shapes the ecosystem and its communities over time.
So, while we don't divide "communities" into ecosystems, communities are the building blocks of ecosystems. It's the interactions between these communities that create the complex web of life we see in nature.