5-1

Ecology

The study of the interactions and relationships between different organisms with each other and their environment

Interdependence

The unified existence of life that sustains biodiversity and the biosphere

Sustainable

Something that can be done for a long time or repeatedly without being destructive

Renewable Resources

Energy sources or products that are sustainable and/or won’t run out

Biodegradable

Materials that decomposers can break down and recycle back into an ecosystem

Conservation

The wise management of resources with the future in mind

Examples of Conservation

Not wasting water, turning off faucets, turning off electronics, recycling, reusable bags, new technology, using fewer fossil fuels

Level 1: Individual Organism

A single living organism

Level 2: Population

A group of the same species living together

Level 3: Community

All the different populations living together in a specific environment

Producer

Organisms that produce chemical energy and oxygen from non-living substances

Production Method: Photosynthesis

Production of chemical energy using sunlight

Production Method: Chemosynthesis

Production of carbs using hydrogen sulfide and CO₂ (by bacteria in volcanic vents)

Consumer

Organisms that consume or eat living material

Herbivore (Primary Consumer)

Consumes plants

Carnivore (Secondary Consumer)

Consumes animals

Omnivore (Primary or Secondary Consumer)

Consumes both plants and animals

Apex Consumer

The highest-level consumer in the food web

Detritivore

Consumes dead organisms and waste ("detritus")

Decomposer

Organisms that use enzymes to break down dead materials and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem

Keystone Species

A species that keeps the community stable (producers, decomposers, beavers, coral, detritivores)

Level 4: Ecosystem

The entire community of organisms and all the abiotic factors within a specific environment

Biotic Factors

Living things in an environment

Abiotic Factors

Non-living things in an environment

Ecosystem Stability

Comes from a balance between niche competition and the health of producers and decomposers

Producers in Ecosystem

Create nutrients

Decomposers in Ecosystem

Recycle nutrients

Biodiversity

All the variety of species in an ecosystem or the entire biosphere

Factors Affecting Biodiversity

Natural disasters, human impacts, invasive species

High Biodiversity

A more stable and resilient ecosystem (better able to handle change)

Level 5: Biomes

A group of ecosystems with the same climate and similar communities

Level 6: Biosphere

The Earth itself and all its lifeforms