Ecosystems, Biomes, and Cycles Flashcards

Flashcards on ecosystems, biomes, and cycles.

Ecosystem

The interaction of living and non-living things in a specific region.

Environment

Refers to the entire natural world.

Habitat

The given environmental conditions that a certain species needs to survive.

Symbiosis

Any organisms that live in close proximity to each other.

Mutualism

A relationship in which both species benefit.

Biome

A region on Earth that shares a consistent yearly average temperature and precipitation pattern.

Aquatic Biome Salinity

Saltiness level of an aquatic biome which plants and animals need to be adapted to the dehydrating effects of salt.

Aquatic Biome Flow

Disrupts the surface allowing oxygen to diffuse into the water; carries sediments and nutrients.

Estuaries

Where the mouth of a river empties out into the ocean, resulting in brackish waters.

Law of Conservation of Matter

Matter is never created or destroyed, it's only changing forms.

Reservoirs

Things that temporarily store matter.

Sources

Processes that move matter between reservoirs.

Sinks

Reservoirs that take in increasing amounts of matter over time.