Introduction to Global Systems and Ecology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms found in the lecture notes regarding ecology, global systems, and the interactions between organisms and their environment.

Biosphere

Consists of all life on Earth and all parts of Earth in which life exists.

Ecology

The scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their surroundings.

Species

A group of organisms that breed and produce fertile offspring.

Population

A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area.

Community

A group of different populations that live together in a defined area.

Ecosystem

All of the organisms that live in a place, together with their physical environment.

Biotic factor

Any living part of the environment.

Abiotic factor

Any nonliving part of the environment.

Atmosphere

A layer of all the gases that surround Earth.

Hydrosphere

All the water of the Earth's surface as well as the water underground.

Geosphere

Solid earth which consists of rocks, continents, and the ocean floor.

Greenhouse effect

The process by which certain gases trap sunlight energy in Earth's atmosphere as heat.

Greenhouse gases

Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Climate

The long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation in a particular region.

Weather

The short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific area.

Biomes

Large ecological areas on the earth's surface with specific climate conditions that support distinct flora and fauna.

Estuary

A wetland formed where a river meets the sea, where fresh and saltwater mix.

Photic zone

The sunlit region of the ocean where photosynthesis can occur.

Aphotic zone

The permanently dark layer of the ocean where photosynthesis cannot occur.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.