Population Ecology Concepts

Flashcards covering key concepts in population ecology.

Population Density

The number of individuals in a population per unit area.

Logistic Growth

An S-shaped graph showing a population that slows and stops after a period of exponential growth due to limited resources.

Exponential Growth

A J-shaped graph indicating rapid population increase when resources are unlimited.

Biosphere

The Earth, encompassing all regions where life exists.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding the Earth or another planet.

Geosphere

The Earth itself, including its rocks, minerals, and landforms.

Hydrosphere

All water on Earth, in all its forms: liquid, solid, and gaseous.

Ecosystem

A community of biotic organisms and abiotic components in a specific area.

Biotic Factors

The living things that affect the environment.

Abiotic Factors

The non-living things in an environment, such as water, air, and minerals.

Immigration

The movement of individuals into an area occupied by an existing population.

Emigration

The movement of individuals out of an area.

Density-Dependent Limiting Factors

Factors that operate more strongly when population size is high.

Density Independent Limiting Factors

Factors that affect all populations similarly, regardless of size.

Individual

A single organism.

Species

A group of interbred organisms.

Community

Multiple populations of different species living in an area.

Population

Multiple individuals of the same species in the same area.

Ecological Pyramid

A model showing energy transfer from each trophic level in the food chain or web.

Food Web

A diagram displaying many connected food chains.

Food Chain

A diagram that shows a singular energy transfer in an ecosystem.

Autotroph/Producer

A photosynthetic organism that makes its own food.

Heterotroph/Consumer

A non-photosynthetic organism that consumes others for food and energy.

Energy vs Matter

Energy is the ability to do work; matter takes up space.

Decomposer

An organism that decomposes organic material.

Carbon Cycle

The continuous movement and exchange of carbon between the atmosphere and Earth.

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Trophic Levels

The levels in an ecological pyramid; each step in a food chain.

Symbiosis

A close, long-term relationship between two different species, where at least one benefits.

Keystone Species

A species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, crucial for ecosystem stability.

Carrying Capacity

The largest number of individuals of a species that an environment can support.

Migration

Seasonal movement of organisms into and out of an area.

Birth Rate

The total number of births per 1000 individuals in a year.

Death Rate

The total number of deaths per 1000 individuals in a year.

Habitat

The specific environment in which an organism lives.

Demography

The statistical study of populations to predict changes.

Biomass

Organic material from organisms that serves as a renewable energy source.

Ecology

The study of relationships between living things and their environment.