Ecology Concepts and Terminology

These flashcards cover essential ecological concepts and terms related to ecosystems, energy flow, and species interactions.

Trophic Level

Levels in an ecosystem that represent the flow of energy from one group of organisms to another.

Producer / Autotroph

An organism that can make its own food, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria.

Consumer / Heterotroph

An organism that acquires energy by feeding on other organisms, including animals, fungi, and most bacteria.

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down wastes and dead organisms.

Detritivore

An organism that feeds on plant and animal remains and other dead matter.

Food Chain

A linear sequence that links species by their feeding relationships, representing a one-way flow of energy.

Food Web

A network of complex interactions formed by the feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem.

10% Rule

Only 10% of the total energy produced at each trophic level is available to the next level.

Limiting Factor

Factors that have great effects on limiting population growth, such as competition, predation, and natural disasters.

Symbiosis

A close relationship between two species that benefits at least one of the species.

Mutualism

A relationship between two species in which both species benefit.

Parasitism

A relationship between two organisms where one benefits and the other is harmed.

Commensalism

A relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

Niche

An organism's particular role in an ecosystem.

Carrying Capacity

The largest number of individuals that an environment can support.

Biodiversity

The variety of living things in an ecosystem.

Biotic Factors

Living factors in an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living factors in an ecosystem, such as air, water, temperature, and minerals.

Population Density

The number of individuals living in a defined space.

Adaptation

An inherited trait that helps an organism to better survive and reproduce.

Water Cycle

The continuous process by which water evaporates, rises, cools, condenses, and precipitates back to the surface.

Carbon Cycle

The transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to living organisms and back through respiration, decay of organisms, and burning fossil fuels.

Nitrogen Cycle

The transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere to the soil, to living organisms, and back to the atmosphere.