Ecology 1

Ecology

Study of how life interacts within one's environment.

Population

Group of the same species living in the same area, regulated by "limiting factors."

Predation

Interaction where one organism hunts and kills another for food.

Population stages

Slow growth and exponential growth phases.

Carrying capacity

Maximum number of individuals an environment can support.

Community

Group of species living in the same area, each with its habitat and niche.

Ecosystem

All living and non-living things in a given area, with biotic and abiotic factors.

Keystone Species

Species with a significant impact on the ecosystem.

Biome

Large area with distinct climate, plant, and animal life.

Biosphere

Area on Earth where life exists, with changes affecting life.

Trophic Levels

Energy flow in an ecosystem.

Habitat

Biotic and abiotic factors where an organism lives.

Competition

Interaction when species compete for limited resources.

Predation

One organism hunts and kills another for food.

Herbivory

Feeding on plants, with adaptations for both predators and prey.

Symbiosis

Interaction where two organisms live together, including parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism.

Biomes

Living landscapes of Earth, classified based on plant adaptations and climate.

Ecological Succession

Process of organisms in an ecological community over time.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Nutrient recycling processes like the carbon, nitrogen, water, and phosphorus cycles.

Population Ecology

Study of how species interact within populations, considering density, dispersion, and limiting factors.

Demography

Study of human population statistics like births, deaths, and disease incidence.