Unit 1.1 - Intro to Environmental Science: Ecosystems and Species Interactions

Vocabulary flashcards covering ecosystems, biotic/abiotic factors, trophic roles, types of symbiosis, predator-prey dynamics, competition, and resource partitioning as presented in the study guide.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms in conjunction with their physical environment; the product of biotic and abiotic interactions.

Biotic factors

Living components of an environment (plants, animals, fungi, bacteria) that affect organisms.

Abiotic factors

Non-living physical and chemical components (sunlight, temperature, moisture, pH, soil) that shape ecosystems.

Producers (autotrophs)

Organisms that create their own food using sunlight or chemical energy (e.g., plants, phytoplankton).

Herbivores

Consumers that feed on plants.

Carnivores

Consumers that feed on other animals.

Omnivores

Consumers that eat both plants and animals.

Detritivores

Organisms that feed on detritus and decaying organic matter.

Sunlight (abiotic)

Abiotic energy source for photosynthesis and heat for ecosystems.

Temperature (abiotic)

Abiotic factor describing the heat within an environment that affects organism metabolism and survival.

Precipitation (abiotic)

Abiotic factor referring to rainfall, snow, and moisture that influence habitats.

Moisture/Water (abiotic)

Abiotic factor representing available water in an environment.

pH (abiotic)

Abiotic measure of acidity or alkalinity that influences chemical reactions and organism health.

Soil (abiotic)

Abiotic medium that provides nutrients and support for plants and other organisms.

Mutualism

A long-term symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit; often co-evolved.

Commensalism

A long-term symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and the other is unaffected.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where the parasite benefits at the expense of the host.

Symbiosis

A close, long-term interaction between two species; ‘sym’ meaning living together and ‘biosis’ meaning life.

Predator

An organism that hunts and consumes other organisms (prey).

Prey

An organism that is hunted and eaten by a predator.

Predator-prey relationship

Interaction where predators influence prey populations and vice versa; often linked to ecosystem dynamics.

Predator-prey oscillations

Cyclical fluctuations in predator and prey populations, where increases in one lead to decreases in the other over time.

Limiting resource

Any resource (biotic or abiotic) that constrains a population’s size or growth.

Interspecific competition

Competition between different species for a shared, limiting resource.

Resource partitioning

The division of limited resources among coexisting species to reduce competition.

Intraspecific competition

Competition within a single species for the same resource, influencing survival and reproduction.

Clownfish–sea anemone mutualism

Mutualistic example where clownfish gain protection and food opportunities while anemones get cleaning and nutrients from wastes.

Oxpeckers and large mammals (mutualism)

Mutualistic relationship where oxpeckers eat parasites off large mammals and gain warning calls; mammals benefit from pest removal and alertness.

Remora–shark/whale commensalism

Commensal relationship in which remoras attach to larger marine animals to feed on parasites and debris without harming the host.