Population Ecology

species

a group of organisms of the same genetic kind, that produces fertile offspring

Community

two or more populations of different species

Population

group of organisms, all of the same species living in the same area

Biosphere

all the Earth’s ecosystems combined

Ecosystem

a unit of plant and animal communities (biotic) in interaction with each other as well as with the non-living (abiotic) factors in a particular area

Ecology

study of interactions between biotic factors with each other and abiotic factors in the natural environment

Population density

number of individuals per unit area

Natality

natural ability of a population to increase

Population size

total number of individuals in a population

Pioneer species

Hardy species which are often first to colonise previously disrupted or damaged ecosystems, beginning a chain of ecological succession that ultimately leads to a more biodiverse steady state ecosystem

Climax species

Population of plants or animals that remain stable and exist in balance with each other and their environment, and mainly come after pioneer species

Population ecology

focuses on factors influencing the population size, growth rate, growth forms and distribution and the distribution of individuals inside a population

Predator

hunt or kill other animals

Prey

being hunted / killed