Bio Ecology Vocab

Ecology

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.

Evaporation

The process by which water changes from liquid to vapor.

Condensation

The process where water vapor cools and becomes liquid.

Precipitation

Water released from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Transpiration

The release of water vapor from plants through their leaves.

Reservoir

A place where a substance is stored as part of a cycle.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells break down glucose to produce energy, releasing carbon dioxide and water.

Combustion

The burning of fossil fuels or organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide.

Ammonification

The conversion of organic nitrogen into ammonia by decomposers.

Nitrification

The conversion of ammonia into nitrites and then nitrates by bacteria.

Denitrification

The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas.

Assimilation

The uptake of nitrogen by plants to form organic molecules.

Runoff

Water that flows over land into bodies of water.

Nitrogen Fixation

The conversion of nitrogen gas into ammonia by bacteria or lightning.

Weathering

The breaking down of rocks and minerals by weather.

Plant Uptake

The absorption of water and nutrients by plant roots.

Animal Consumption

The process of animals feeding on plants or other animals.

Sedimentation

The accumulation of particles at the bottom of a body of water.

Decomposition

The breakdown of dead organisms by bacteria and fungi.

Detritivores

Organisms that feed on dead organic matter.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area.

Population Density

The number of individuals per unit area or volume.

Dispersion

The pattern of spacing among individuals within a population.

Immigration

The movement of individuals into a population.

Emigration

The movement of individuals out of a population.

Birth Rate

The number of births in a population over a given time.

Death Rate

The number of deaths in a population over a given time.

Biotic

Living components of an ecosystem.

Abiotic

Non-living components of an ecosystem.

Competition

Interaction between organisms for limited resources.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed.

Predation

A relationship where one organism kills and eats another.

Herbivory

An interaction where an animal feeds on plants.

Clumped Dispersal

Individuals are grouped in patches.

Uniform Dispersal

Individuals are evenly spaced.

Random Dispersal

Individuals are spread without a predictable pattern.

Demography

The study of population structure and dynamics.

Survivorship Curve

A graph showing the likelihood of survival at different ages.

Type I Curve

High survival early in life, drop in older age. Ex: Humans

Type II Curve

Constant death rate throughout life. Ex: squirrels

Type III Curve

High death rates early in life, survivors live long. Ex: sea turtles

Exponential Growth

Population growth under ideal conditions.

Logistic Growth

Population growth that slows near carrying capacity.

J-Shaped Curve

A graph showing exponential growth.

S-Shaped Curve

A graph showing logistic growth.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size an environment can support.

Big-Bang Reproduction

Organisms reproduce once massively, then die.

Repeated Reproduction

Organisms reproduce multiple times during life.

Density-Independent Factor

A factor that affects population size regardless of density.

Density-Dependent Factor

A factor whose effect increases with population density.

Autotroph

An organism that produces its own food.

Heterotroph

An organism that consumes others for energy.

Trophic Level

A step in the flow of energy through a food chain.

Primary Producer

Organisms that make their own food.

Primary Consumer

Herbivores that eat producers.

Secondary Consumer

Carnivores that eat primary consumers.

Tertiary Consumer

Carnivores that eat secondary consumers.

Detritivore

Organisms that feed on dead organic matter.

Detritus

Dead organic material.

Herbivore

An animal that eats plants.

Carnivore

An animal that eats other animals.

Primary Production

The rate at which producers make organic material.

Biomass

The total mass of living organisms in an area.

Community

All the different species in an area.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in all forms.

Species Diversity

The number and abundance of species in a community.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that harm ecosystems.

Biome

A large ecological area defined by climate and vegetation.

Climate

The long-term weather pattern of an area.

Macroclimate

Regional climate patterns.

Microclimate

Local climate conditions.

Climograph

A graph of temperature and precipitation by month.

Permafrost

Permanently frozen soil.

Rainforest

A dense, wet forest with high biodiversity.

Chaparral

A dry biome with shrubs and seasonal rain.

Savanna

A grassy biome with scattered trees.

Temperate Grassland

A biome dominated by grasses and moderate rain.

Northern Coniferous Forest/Taiga

A cold forest with cone-bearing trees.

Temperate Broadleaf Forest

A forest with deciduous trees and seasonal changes.

Tundra

A cold biome with low vegetation and permafrost.

Photic Zone

The sunlit surface layer of water.

Aphotic Zone

The dark layer of water below the photic zone.

Benthic Zone

The bottom surface of a body of water.

Abyssal Zone

The deep ocean floor.

Thermocline

A water layer where temperature changes rapidly with depth.

Oligotrophic Lake

A nutrient-poor, oxygen-rich lake.

Eutrophic Lake

A nutrient-rich, oxygen-poor lake.

Headwaters

The source of a river or stream.

Downstream Waters

The wider, slower parts of a river.

Brackish

Water with a mix of salt and fresh water.

Food Web

A network of interconnected food chains.

Interspecific Interaction

Interactions between different species.

Fundamental Niche

The full potential range of conditions a species could use.

Realized Niche

The actual conditions a species uses due to competition.

Competitive Exclusion

Two species competing for the same resource cannot coexist.

Resource Partitioning

Dividing resources to reduce competition.

Dominant Species

The most abundant species in a community.

Ecosystem Engineer

A species that changes its environment significantly.