Comprehensive Ecology Review and Key Concepts

Ecology

Scientific study of organism-environment interactions.

Biotic factors

Living components affecting ecosystems.

Abiotic factors

Nonliving components like temperature and water.

Climate

Long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation.

Biomes

Geographic regions hosting distinct ecosystems.

Aquatic biomes

Water-based ecosystems like lakes and oceans.

Tropical rainforest

Wet forest with large trees forming a canopy.

Desert

Driest terrestrial biome with sparse vegetation.

Population

Group of individuals of the same species.

Population density

Number of individuals per unit area.

Dispersion patterns

Distribution of individuals in a population.

Exponential growth

Unrestricted population growth creating a J-curve.

Logistic growth

Population growth slowing as carrying capacity is reached.

Carrying capacity

Maximum population size an environment can sustain.

Life tables

Track survivorship across different ages/stages.

Interspecific interactions

Relationships between individuals of different species.

Ecological niche

An organism's role in its environment.

Symbiosis

Interaction between two different species.

Mutualism

Both species benefit from the interaction.

Commensalism

One species benefits, the other is unaffected.

Parasitism

One species benefits at the expense of another.

Trophic levels

Feeding relationships among organisms in ecosystems.

Food chains

Linear transfer of energy through trophic levels.

Ecological succession

Gradual replacement of species in a disturbed area.

Primary succession

Colonization of newly exposed rock by organisms.

Biogeochemical cycles

Movement of elements through ecosystems.

Eutrophication

Algal blooms from excessive nutrient runoff.

Biodiversity

Variety of life forms in an ecosystem.

Conservation biology

Field integrating various sciences to preserve biodiversity.

Species richness

Number of different species in a community.

Relative abundance

Proportional representation of species in a community.

Keystone species

Species with a disproportionately large community impact.