Choose the correct answer :
The Great Barrier Reef along the east coast of Australia can be categorized as :

Options

A. population
B. Community
C. Ecosystem
D. Biome

Answer

To determine how to categorize the Great Barrier Reef along the east coast of Australia, we need to understand the definitions of the terms provided in the options: population, community, ecosystem, and biome.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Population**:
- A population refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area. For example, a population of clownfish living within the reef.

2. **Understanding Community**:
- A community is made up of different populations that interact in a particular area. In the case of the Great Barrier Reef, it includes various species of fish, corals, and other marine organisms.

3. **Understanding Ecosystem**:
- An ecosystem encompasses both the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components of a particular area, including the interactions between them. The Great Barrier Reef is an ecosystem because it includes coral, fish, water, sunlight, and other environmental factors.

4. **Understanding Biome**:
- A biome is a larger ecological classification that includes various ecosystems that share similar climatic conditions and types of organisms. The Great Barrier Reef can be considered part of a marine biome due to its unique characteristics and the types of organisms found there.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The Great Barrier Reef is best categorized as an **ecosystem** because it includes a complex interaction of various species and their environment. Therefore, the correct answer is **C. ecosystem**.