1.1 1.2 apes

Individual

one organism

Population

a group of individuals of the same species

Community

all living organisms in one area

Ecosystem

all living and nonliving things in an area (plants, animals, water, soil) interacting

Biome

a large area with similar climate conditions that determine plant and animal species there

Competition

when organisms fight over a resource, limiting population size

Resource Partitioning

when different species use the same resources in different ways to reduce competition

Temporal Partitioning

using resources at different times of day (e.g., hawks hunting by day, owls at night)

Spatial Partitioning

using different areas of a shared habitat (e.g., warblers feeding in different height zones of the exact same tree)

Morphological Partitioning

using different resources based on different evolved body features (e.g., long-tongued vs. short-tongued bees)

Predation

when one organism uses another for energy source

Herbivores

eat plants for energy

Carnivores

kill and eat prey for energy

Omnivores

eat both plants and animals

Parasites / Parasitism

organisms that live on or inside a host, taking nutrients at the host's expense without usually killing it immediately (+/-)

Parasitoids

organisms whose larvae live inside or on a host, slowly consuming it and ultimately killing the host

Symbiosis

any close and long-term interaction between two organisms of different species

Mutualism

a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit (+/+)

Commensalism

a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is unaffected (+/0)

Climate

determines temperature and precipitation which is why biomes exist in predictable patterns on earth

Decomposition

the breaking down of dead organic matter (like dead leaves or squirrels) that releases nutrients back into the soil

Permafrost

permanently frozen soil found in the tundra that prevents tree growth and causes low soil nutrients

Tropical Rainforest

biome located near the equator with plenty of rain, heat, high biodiversity, and nutrient-poor soil due to rapid plant uptake

Temperate Rainforest

cool, coastal forests with heavy rain, redwoods, and low nutrient soil due to slow decomposition and heavy leaching

Temperate Seasonal (Deciduous) Forest

forest with a mild climate, distinct seasons, broadleaf trees that shed leaves, and nutrient-rich soil

Temperate Grassland (Prairie)

biome with harsh winters, hot/dry summers, grasses, and high-nutrient soil often converted to agriculture

Savanna

warm biome with distinct wet and dry seasons, dominated by grass and widely spaced trees, with nutrient-rich soil

Chaparral / Shrubland

biome with hot/dry summers, mild/rainy winters, 12-month growing season, and plants specifically adapted to fire and drought

Desert

biome with very warm temperatures, drought, and sparse vegetation like cacti with thick waxy layers or thorns to retain moisture

Taiga / Boreal Forest

coniferous (cone-bearing) forest with long cold winters, short growing season, and nutrient-poor soil from slow decomposition of waxy needles

Tundra

treeless, flat, cold plain with a short summer growing season, permafrost, and low soil nutrients[cite: 1, 2]

Climate Change / Biome Shift

causes global temperatures and precipitation patterns to shift, which will result in the migration or shrinking of biomes over time[cite: 1, 2]