Science Ecology Test Chunk 2

What is a community

All the different species living together in an area.

How is a community different from an ecosystem

Community = only living beings; ecosystem = living beings + abiotic environment.

Order largest → smallest: population, biome, community, ecosystem,

Biome → ecosystem → community → population.

What is a habitat

The natural home or environment where an organism lives.

What is a niche

The role an organism plays within its ecosystem (what it eats, where it lives, how it behaves).

What is predation

An interaction where one organism hunts and eats another.

What is competition (ecological)

When organisms compete for the same resources (food, space, etc.).

What is mutualism

An interaction where both species benefit.

What is commensalism

An interaction where one species benefits and the other isn’t affected.

What is parasitism

An interaction where one species benefits at the expense of another.

What are limiting factors

Resources or conditions (food, water, shelter, space) that restrict population size.

What is carrying capacity

The maximum population size an environment can sustainably support.

What is ecological succession

The gradual change in species composition of an ecosystem over time.

What is primary succession

Succession that begins on bare, lifeless substrate (like after a lava flow).

What is secondary succession

Succession that occurs after a disturbance, on soil where life existed before.

What is ecosystem equilibrium

A stable state where species populations and environmental conditions remain relatively constant.

What is cellular respiration formula (simplified)

Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy.

What is photosynthesis formula (simplified)

Carbon dioxide + water + sunlight → glucose + oxygen.

What is the formula for total population change

Total pop = starting pop + births + immigration − deaths − emigration.

Matter cycling in ecosystems

The movement of matter through organisms and the environment.

No-till farming

Farming without plowing to reduce erosion and protect soil.

GMOs

Organisms genetically altered to improve traits like yield or resistance.

Causes of extinction

Habitat loss, pollution, climate change, invasive species, and overuse.

Local species at risk (Windsor, Canada)

Species like Blanding’s turtle and the Massasauga rattlesnake are threatened by habitat loss.

Endangered

A species close to extinction.

Extinct

A species that no longer exists.

Extirpated

A species gone from an area but found elsewhere.

Amphibians

Animals like frogs that live on land and in water