Ecology and Community Interactions (Biomes, Biodiversity, and Species Interactions)

These vocabulary flashcards cover key concepts from biology/ecology notes: ecosystems, community structure, niche theory, interspecific interactions, mimicry, coevolution, predator–prey dynamics, adaptations, and ecosystem services.

Biomes

Large geographical areas characterized by similar climate and dominant vegetation.

Ecology

The scientific study of the relationships between organisms and their environment.

Ecosystem

A biological community and its physical environment, featuring energy flux and nutrient cycling.

Energy flux

The flow and transformation of energy through an ecosystem from producers to consumers.

Nutrient cycling

The cyclic movement of chemical elements within an ecosystem.

Community

An assemblage of populations of different species living together and potentially interacting.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species in a given area; subject to population dynamics and a unit of evolution.

Organism

An individual living thing; its survival and reproduction drive natural selection.

Keystone predator

A predator with a disproportionately large effect on community structure relative to its abundance.

Predation

Interaction where predators consume prey; benefits predator, harms prey.

Herbivory

Interaction where herbivores eat plants; benefits herbivore, harms plants.

Parasitism

A relationship where a parasite benefits at the expense of its host.

Competition

Interaction where two or more populations compete for the same limited resource; usually detrimental to the involved populations.

Commensalism

One species benefits, the other is unaffected.

Mutualism

Both species benefit from the interaction.

Niche

The role of an organism in its environment, including resources used and conditions tolerated.

Fundamental niche

The full range of conditions under which a species can survive and reproduce (potential niche).

Realized niche

The actual conditions under which a species exists in nature, restricted by biotic interactions (often narrower than the fundamental niche).

Competitive exclusion

The principle that two species cannot occupy the exact same niche indefinitely; one will outcompete the other.

Resource partitioning

Division of limited resources by coexisting species to reduce competition, often via space, time, or resource specialization.

Interspecific competition

Competition between different species for the same resources.

Intraspecific competition

Competition within the same species for limited resources.

Batesian mimicry

A harmless species mimics a harmful one to deter predators.

Müllerian mimicry

Two or more harmful species share similar warning signals to reinforce predator learning.

Coevolution

Reciprocal evolutionary changes between interacting species (e.g., predator–prey, host–parasite).

Predator adaptations

Traits that help predators catch prey (e.g., hearing, sight, speed, stealth, pack hunting).

Prey adaptations

Defenses against predation (e.g., camouflage, deceptive coloration, aposematic signals, mimicry, toxins).

Constitutive defenses

Prey defenses that are always present, often costly to maintain.

Cryptic coloration

Camouflage that helps prey avoid detection by blending with the environment.

Deceptive coloration

Color patterns that mislead predators (e.g., false eye spots, masquerade).

Aposematic coloration

Bright warning coloration signaling that an organism is toxic or unpalatable.

Endoparasite

A parasite that lives inside the host.

Ectoparasite

A parasite that lives on the exterior surface of the host.

Parasite

An organism that lives in or on another organism (host) and benefits at the host’s expense.

Host

An organism that harbors a parasite, providing nutrients and habitat.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a habitat or region, including species richness, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Species richness

The number of different species present in a community.

Relative abundance

The proportion of individuals of each species relative to the total number of individuals.

Ecosystem services

Benefits humans obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services.