Ecology

A collection of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts in the study of Ecology.

Ecology

The study of relationships among living organisms and their interactions with other organisms and with their environment.

Organism

A single living thing that depends on and adapts to the abiotic and biotic factors in the environment.

Habitat

The area where an organism lives, includes all living and non-living factors.

Niche

The role or function of an organism in its environment, including how it feeds, finds shelter, and its impact on the ecosystem.

Population

A group of organisms of the same species that are sharing the same space at the same time.

Community

A group of different species that interact with each other and share the same space.

Ecosystem

A biological community that includes both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.

Biome

A large group of ecosystems sharing the same climate and similar types of communities.

Biosphere

The part of Earth that supports life and is the most complex level of organization.

Metabolic rate

The amount of energy an organism uses over a period of time, often measured by oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.

Autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food, also known as producers.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that consume other organisms for energy, also known as consumers.

Trophic Level

Each step in a food chain or food web.

Gross Primary Production (GPP)

The total energy converted into chemical energy by autotrophs.

Net Primary Production (NPP)

The energy available to consumers after autotrophs have used some for respiration.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that the environment can support.

Primary Succession

Ecological succession that occurs in areas where no soil or life previously existed.

Secondary Succession

Ecological succession that occurs in areas where a disturbance has disrupted the existing ecosystem but soil and some organisms remain.

Invasive Species

Non-native species introduced to an ecosystem that cause harm by outcompeting native species.

Keystone Species

A species whose presence and role within an ecosystem have a disproportionate effect on the structure and diversity of that ecosystem.

Limiting Factors

Any abiotic or biotic factor that restricts the number, reproduction, or distribution of organisms.

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors that depend on the number of members in a population, such as competition and predation.

Density-Independent Factors

Factors that do not depend on the number of members in a population, such as weather or natural disasters.