7th Grade- Ecosystems- Term 2

Abiotic Factor

A nonliving thing that affects the ecosystem

Biotic Factor

A living thing that affects the ecosystem

Competition

When more than one individual or population in an ecosystem relies on the same limited resources

Dependent Interaction

When an organism depends on a factor for survival

Ecosystem

A system comprising all the biotic and abiotic factors in an area and all the interactions among them

Limited Resource

Something that is needed by organisms and is not infinite in its abundance in the environment; if it is exhausted, then the organisms that need it cannot survive

Organism

A self-contained living thing

Population

A group of interacting individuals of the same species located in the same area

Primary Consumer

An organism that gets its energy by feeding on producers in the food chain

Resource

A source or supply that benefits organisms

Secondary Consumer

An animal that eats primary consumers (i.e., other animals that eat plants)

Environmental Interactions

Relationships between an organism or population and abiotic factors

Atmosphere

The layer of gas surrounding a planet that is held in place by gravity

Biosphere

The sum of all living matter on Earth

Energy Resource

A source or supply of energy that can be used to generate electric power to meet people’s needs

Geoscience Process

Any natural process that happens to Earth’s surface, such as weathering, erosion, or plate tectonics

Groundwater

Water that collects in cracks and pores in underground soil and rock layers

Natural Resources

Resources that exist in the environment without human intervention

Nonrenewable

Not replaceable by natural means within a short period of time

Renewable

Replaceable by natural means in a short period of time