Unit 1 - Land Ecology (APES)

Abiotic

Relating to non-living chemical and physical factors in the environment, such as sunlight, temperature, and water that affect living organisms.

Anthropocentric

Pertaining to a human-centered perspective that prioritizes human interests over ecological or environmental considerations.

Anthropogenic

Atmosphere

The thin layer of gases surrounding Earth, essential for sustaining life and regulating climate.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat or ecosystem, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Biotic

Referring to the living components of an ecosystem, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, that interact with each other and their environment.

Biosphere

The global sum of all ecosystems, it includes all areas of Earth where life exists, encompassing land, water, and the atmosphere.

Commensalism

Competition

The interaction between organisms where both are vying for the same resources, such as food, water, or territory, leading to a potentially negative impact on one or both species involved.

Competitive exclusion principle

The ecological theory stating that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist if other ecological factors are constant. One species will outcompete the other, leading to the latter's local extinction.

Ecocentric

A philosophical perspective that prioritizes ecological considerations and the health of ecosystems over human-centered values, advocating for the intrinsic value of all living entities.

Ecological footprint

A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, representing the area of land and water required to produce the resources consumed and absorb the waste generated.

Ecological niche

The role or function of a species within an ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and relationships with other species.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, including both biotic and abiotic components.

Ecosystem diversity

Ecosystem engineer

Ecosystem services

Environmental indicators

Environmental science

Environmental studies

Environmentalist

Environment

Fundamental niche

Generalist

Genetic diversity

Hydrosphere

Indicator species

Interspecific competition

Intraspecific competition

Keystone species

Levels of organization (*individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere)

Lithosphere

Mutualism

Parasitism

Predation

Range of tolerance

Realized niche

Resource partitioning

Specialist

Species

Species diversity

Sustainability

Sustainable development

Symbiosis

Technocentric

Tragedy of the Commons