Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems

intraspecific

competition between members of the same species

interspecific

competition between members of different species

competitive exclusion

1 species is a stronger competitor than the other

coexisting species

species alter behaviors to minimize competition, altering their niche

niche

A species role in an ecosystem

selective pressure

when the environment pushes an individual or population to adapt or evolve

parasitism

One organism benefits and the other is harmed

mutualism

symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit

temperate deciduous forest

Extreme range of temperatures with different seasons

Even precipitation throughout

Trees lose leaves in winter

temperate grasslands

Extreme summers and winters

Diminishing rainfall in different seasons

Prairies

Rich soil

temperate rainforest

moderate temperatures

high precipitation

coastal

tropical rainforest

Constant, high precipitation

High temperatures, dark, damp

Most productive biome

tropical dry forest

Relatively high temperatures

Distinct dry season

Wet 50% of year, dry the other 50%

savanna

tropical grassland

dry, tropical areas

distinct wet and dry seasons

high temperatures

desert

Extreme range of temperatures

Very low precipitation

Driest biome

Tundra

Very dry/little precipitation

Very low temperatures

Underground soil is permafrost

Most directly impacted by climate change

Least productive biome

boreal forest

Low temperatures

Low precipitation

Acidic soils

Dominated by evergreen trees

"Taiga"

Chaparral

Mild, wet winters

Dry, hot summers

Dense thicket of shrubs

"shrubland"

intertidal

biome between high and low tide

marshland

low lying wetlands

near shorelines

tides washing over sandy substrates

"salt marshes"

mangroves

along coasts

protect shorelines

provide a place for organism to thrive on

estuary

where ocean saltwater meets stream freshwater

creates brackish water

fluctuating salinity

one of most productive

coral reef

The most diverse marine biome on Earth

found in warm, shallow waters beyond the shoreline

have symbiotic relationship with algae and zooxnthellae

open ocean

plankton is basis of food web

ecosystems form around deep hydrothermal vents using chemosynthesis

carbon cycle

Phosphorus cycle

water cycle

nitrogen cycle

carbon reservoirs

living organisms

atmosphere

ocean (2nd largest)

sedimentary rock (largest)

fossil fuels

carbon steps

photosynthesis

consumption

respiration

combustion

decomposition

nitrogen reservoirs

atmosphere

soil

plants

nitrogen steps

fixation

ammonification

nitrification

assimilation

dentrification

phosphorus reservoirs

above land rock

soil/sedimentary rock

ocean

atmosphere

phosphorus steps

weathering of rock

assimilation

consumption

decomposition

water reservoirs

ocean

ice caps

streams

water steps

precipitation

accumulation

evaporation

condensation

primary productivity

rate of photosynthesis