Ecological dominance is the degree to which a taxon is more numerous than its competitors in an ecological community, or makes up more of the biomass. Most ecological communities are defined by their dominant species.
In many examples of wet woodland in western Europe, the dominant tree is alder (Alnus glutinosa).In temperate bogs, the dominant vegetation is usually species of Sphagnum moss.Tidal swamps in the tropics are usually dominated by species of mangrove (Rhizophoraceae)Some sea floor communities are dominated by brittle stars.Exposed rocky shorelines are dominated by sessile organisms such as barnacles and limpets.
