The basic unit of ecological hierarchy is

The living world is highly diverse. To study each aspect of the living organism is a complex task. In order to solve this problem, different levels of organisations are defined. This helps us to study the different aspects of the living world easily. 

The ecological organisation comprises of different levels: individual, population, species, community, ecosystem, and biosphere. Among these, individual is the most basic unit. 

 It is the individual or organism whose similar or different properties lead to the classification of species, which then expands to form communities. Communities, through their interaction with non-living things, form the ecosystem.