National 5 Biology: Section 14 - Ecosystems

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key ecological terms, trophic levels, competition types, and ecosystem dynamics from National 5 Biology Unit 3 (Life on Earth: Ecosystems).

Biodiversity

Is the variety of living organism found in a particular area

Biotic

Living factors of an ecosystem

Abiotic

Non - living factors of an ecosystem

Biotic Factors

• Predation

• Grazing

• Competition

• Dieses

• Food Availability

Abiotic Factors

• pH

• Light intensity

• Moisture

• Wind Speed

• Temperature

Species

A group of organisms which can produce or reproduce fertile offspring

Population

All the organisms of the same species living in a particular habitat

Community

All the populations diffrent species living in a particular habitat

Habitat

The physical area where an organism lives

Ecosystem

Consists of all the living organisms in a particular habitat interacting with each other and thier non - living environment

Niche

The role that an organism plays within a community

Producer

Green plants that produce thier own food using photosynthesis

Consumer

An animal that eats other plants and animals to obtain energy.

Primary Consumer

Organisms, usually herbivores, that feed directly on plant life.

Secondary Consumer

Organisms, mainly carnivores, that prey on primary consumers and other animals.

Tertiary Consumer

Carnivores and animals that feed on secondary consumers in a food chain or web.

Herbivore

An organism that feeds on plant material only.

Carnivore

An organism that feeds on animal material only.

Omnivore

An organism that feeds on both plant and animal material.

Predator

An animal that naturally hunts and preys on other animals for food.

Prey

An animal that is hunted and killed by another animal for food.

Predation

A biotic factor where one animal preys on another organism.

Food Chain

A relationship showing the transfer of energy where one organism feeds on the previous one in a series and in turn provides food for the next one.

Food Web

A complex network of interlocking food chains showing how organisms in an ecosystem are interconnected.

Decomposer

Organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down dead or decaying organisms and reduce them to simpler forms of matter.

Competition

The interaction that occurs between organisms when essential resources are in short supply.

Interspecific Competition

Competition that occurs amongst individuals of different species for one or a few of the resources they require.

Intraspecific Competition

Competition that occurs amongst individuals of the same species for all the resources required; it is more intense than interspecific competition.

Ecology

The study of the relationships of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.

Biome

A very large ecosystem or collection of ecosystems characterized by similar biotic and abiotic factors.

Deforestation

The cutting down and removal of natural forest due to human activities such as construction, farming, or industry, leading to reduced biodiversity.

Desertification

The expansion or increase of desert conditions caused by human activities.