Honors Bio Ecology Unit Terms

Biosphere

living organisms together with their environment. biospheric

Biome

n area classified according to the species that live in that location.

Ecosystem

a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Community

organization and functioning of communities, which are assemblages of interacting populations of the species living within a particular area or habitat.

Population species

a group of individuals of the same species living and interbreeding within a given area.

Habitat

the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.

Niche

The job an organism does in it’s habitat

Biotic

relating to living organisms

Abiotic

relating to nonliving organism

How does energy flow through the ecosystems

Food chains

Example of competition

two male birds of the same species might compete for mates in the same area. is an example of what?

Symbiosis

interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.

Predation

the preying of one animal on others.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals the enviorment can support with the provided resources

Limiting factors to a population

food, water, living space, and disease.

Dependant limiting factors

disease, competition, and predation, resources

Independent limiting factors

food or nutrient limitation, pollutants in the environment, and climate extremes, including seasonal cycles such as monsoons

Threats to biodiversity

Climate change, pollution, habitat loss, overexploitation of species and invasive species

biological magnification

the rise or increase in the contaminated substances caused by the intoxicating environment.

Why is biodiversity important

Biodiversity is essential for the processes that support all life on Earth, including humans.

Why is biodiversity useful for humans?

Humans depend upon biodiversity for survival, such as for the foods we eat, medicines we use to stay healthy, and materials we wear or use to build our homes.

Describe some current issues relating to environmental concerns

air pollution (20-public median of 76% say this is a big problem), the loss of forests (74% median) and extinction of plant and animal species (67% median).

Why is human interferance a big problem with major ecosystems

Human activities have led to various environmental issues that affect ecosystems, climate, and biodiversity. Pollution from industrial emissions, transportation, and agriculture has contaminated air and water, adding health risks to humans and wildlife.A

five examples of declining biodiversity

changes in land and sea use; direct exploitation of organisms; climate change; pollution; and invasive species.

Population

A group of organisms/species sharing the same space/enviorment at a specific time

Lag Phase

Dependent on the reproductive

Exponential growth

number of births exceeds the number of deaths. Unlimited resources. Birth rate>death rate

Logistical Growth

The entire graphed line (Lag phase+ exponential growth+carrying capacity) Birth rate=death rate. Limited resources, Carrying capacity

Logistical Gowth Graph

Exponential Growth graph

Competition relationship

One species increases while the other decreases

Competition Graph

Commensalism relationship

One species benefits while the other is unaffected

Commensalism Graph

Predator/Prey relationship

As one species benefits or decreases the other one benefits or decreases. Same pattern @ different times.

Predator prey graph

Mutualism relationship

Both species benefits same pattern at about the same time.

Mutualism Graph

Parasitic Relationship/ Parasitism

One species benefits while the other species is negatively affected

Parasitism Graph

Parasitism explanation

Parasite increases→host decreases→parasite decreases→host increases