Ecosystems & Communities & Populations

What is ecology?

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

What is an ecosystem?

The interaction of a community of living organisms with the non-living parts of their environment.

What is a habitat?

The place where an organism lives.

What is a population?

All the organisms of one species living in a particular area.

What is a community?

All the populations of different species living together in a habitat.

What is an individual organism?

A single living organism.

What is an ecological niche?

The role of an organism within its ecosystem, including how it uses resources and interacts with other organisms.

What is a biotic factor?

A living factor that affects organisms in an ecosystem.

What is an abiotic factor?

A non-living environmental factor that affects organisms.

What is the difference between a population and a community?

A population contains one species, whereas a community contains multiple species.

What is the difference between a habitat and an ecosystem?

A habitat is where an organism lives, whereas an ecosystem includes organisms and their interactions with the physical environment.

What is an interdependence?

When organisms in a community depend on one another for resources and survival.

Why are organisms in a community interdependent?

They rely on one another for food, shelter, pollination and seed dispersal.

What is a stable community?

A community in which species and environmental factors are in balance, so population sizes remain relatively stable.

Why are stable communities important?

They allow organisms to survive and reproduce without major long-term population fluctuations.

What can happen if one species is removed from a community?

Other species may be affected through changes in food availability, competition or other interactions.

Why are ecosystems described as dynamic?

Their populations and environmental conditions change over time.

What is an example of a small ecosystem?

A pond.

What is an example of a large ecosystem?

A tropical rainforest.

Why must both living and non-living factors be considered when studying an ecosystem?

Both biotic and abiotic factors affect the distribution and abundance of organisms.