Ecology Vocabulary

Flashcards on Ecology Notes

Biotic Components

Living components that interact with each other and abiotic components in an environment.

Higher biodiversity

Ecosystems with rich food supplies support more species, leading to…

Indigenous (native) species

Species that evolved and are an integral part of the natural system.

Alien/exotic species

Species introduced into an ecosystem, potentially causing disruptions and displacement of native organisms.

Producers (autotrophs)

Convert inorganic molecules into organic compounds (e.g., plants, algae).

Consumers (heterotrophs)

Rely on other living organisms for food (e.g., animals, bacteria, fungi, parasitic plants).

Herbivores

Primary consumers that eat plants.

Carnivores

Secondary consumers that feed on herbivores.

Omnivores

Eat both plants and animals; may be secondary or tertiary consumers.

Decomposers (detritivores)

Decompose plants, animals, and faeces, returning nutrients to the environment.

Endemic Species

Living organisms found only in one area with specialized adaptations.

Symbiosis

Close association between two organisms where one or both benefit.

Mutualism

Beneficial to both organisms

Commensalism

One species benefits, the other is neither harmed nor helped

Parasitism

One species (parasite) benefits, the other (host) is harmed

Endoparasites

Live inside the host (e.g., tapeworms).

Ectoparasites

Live outside the host (e.g., leeches, ticks).

Competition

Occurs when organisms depend on a common resource that is in short supply.

Intraspecific competition

Between organisms of the same species.

Interspecific competition

Between organisms of different species.

Populations

A group of organisms of the same species living together in the same habitat and capable of interbreeding.

Lag Phase

Population grows slowly as organisms acclimatize.

Exponential Phase

Rapid population increase due to minimal limiting factors.

Equilibrium/Stationary Phase

Growth slows as environmental resistance increases; birth rate equals death rate; population reaches carrying capacity.

Death Phase

Population decreases due to unsuitable conditions.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that can be supported by available resources.

Biological Pest Control

Uses other organisms (predators, parasites, pathogens) to limit pest numbers; less harmful to the environment.