APES Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems

Ecosystems

A biological community of living (biotic) and unliving (abiotic) factors interacting together in an environment

Biotic Factors

Living organisms part of an ecosystem

Abiotic Factors

Nonliving parts of an ecosystem

Niche

An organisms position and role within a habitat that leads to greater chances of survival

Habitat

The natural environment where a particular species or organism lives and obtains the resources it needs to survive.

Community

Various populations of organisms belonging to different species interacting with each other in an ecosystem

Population

The makeup of a group of organisms from a particular/same species

Species

A group of organisms with similar features that are capable of reproducing with each other

Biodiversity

The variety of living organisms in a particular ecosystem or on Earth as a whole - diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems

Ecological Succession

The gradual change in a species composition and community structure in an ecosystem over time - occurs when one community replaces another due to natural disturbances or human activities

Biome

A large geographic area where many ecosystems exist with similar climates and organisms

Tundra

One of the coldest biomes on Earth with low vegetation, low biodiversity, and low rainfall

Taiga (Boreal Forest)

Cold biomes with more precipitation than Tundra’s with coniferous trees

Temperate Rainforest

Forest biome with heavy rainfalls, moderate temperatures, and evergreen trees

Temperate Seasonal Forest (Deciduous)

Forest biome with four seasons, moderate rainfall, and deciduous trees

Tropical Rainforest Biome

The most biodiverse biome on Earth, with wide varieties of vegetation and heavy rainfall

Shrubland (Chaparral)

Grassland biomes with dry and hot summers, with mild and wet winters - fire adapted

Temperate Grassland (Prairie)

Grassland biome with hot summers, cold winters, moderate rainfall, and a variety of tall and short grass species,

Savanna

Grassland biome that experience periods of heavy rainfall often followed by severe droughts

Climatogram (Climate Diagram)

A graph that shows the average monthly temperature and average monthly precipitation for a location

Freshwater Biome

Aquatic biome consisting of freshwater bodies such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands

Saltwater (Marine) Biome

Aquatic biome with high salinity, AKA saltwater - oceans, coral reefs, marshlands and estuaries

Wetlands

Aquatic biome that is covered or saturated with water throughout parts of the year

Estuaries

Aquatic biome where fresh water from the river mixes with the salty water from the ocean

Coral Reefs

Aquatic biome of ridged rock formations found in the sea formed by the growth and deposit of calcium carbonate