Ecology High School Biology.

Ecology

Study of organism-environment interactions.

Greenhouse Effect

CO2 and H2O trap heat in atmosphere.

Biosphere

Thin layer of Earth supporting life.

Ecosystem

All organisms and environment in a place.

Community

All organisms in a specific area.

Population

Members of a species in one location.

Organism

Individual living entity with adaptations.

Biotic Factors

Living components affecting organisms.

Abiotic Factors

Nonliving components like temperature and pH.

Tolerance Curve

Graph showing performance vs. environmental variable.

Acclimation

Adjustment to changes in abiotic factors.

Conformers

Organisms that change with external environment.

Regulators

Organisms that control internal conditions using energy.

Dormancy

Reduced activity to survive harsh conditions.

Migration

Movement to a more favorable habitat.

Resources

Energy and materials needed by a species.

Niche

Species' role and interactions in its environment.

Fundamental Niche

Range of conditions a species can tolerate.

Realized Niche

Actual resources a species uses.

Generalists

Species with broad niches and varied resources.

Specialists

Species with narrow niches and limited resources.

Population Size

Total number of individuals in a population.

Population Density

Number of individuals per unit volume.

Population Dispersion

Distribution pattern of individuals in a population.

Birth Rate

Number of births in a specific time period.

Death Rate

Number of deaths in a specific time period.

Life Expectancy

Expected duration of an individual's life.

Age Structure

Distribution of different ages in a population.

Survivorship Curves

Likelihood of survival at various life stages.

Type I Curve

Low death rate until later life stages.

Type II Curve

Constant death probability throughout life.

Type III Curve

High death rate in early life stages.

Population Growth Rate

Change in population size over time.

Birth Rate

Number of births per individual in a population.

Death Rate

Number of deaths per individual in a population.

Immigration

Movement of individuals into a population.

Emigration

Movement of individuals out of a population.

Per Capita Growth Rate

Growth rate calculated per individual.

Exponential Model

Population grows rapidly after few generations.

J-shaped Curve

Graphical representation of exponential growth.

Limiting Factor

Environmental factor restricting population growth.

Logistic Model

Population growth considering limiting factors.

Carrying Capacity (K)

Maximum population size sustainable by environment.

S-shaped Curve

Graphical representation of logistic growth.

Density-independent Factors

Limit population size regardless of density.

Density-dependent Factors

Limit population size based on density.

Inbreeding

Mating among relatives in small populations.

Hunter-gatherer Lifestyle

Nomadic lifestyle of early human societies.

Agricultural Revolution

Shift to farming and domestication of animals.

Gross Primary Productivity

Rate at which producers capture energy.

Biomass

Organic material produced in an ecosystem.

Net Primary Productivity

Rate of biomass accumulation in an ecosystem.

Chemosynthesis

Production of carbohydrates using inorganic energy.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that cannot produce their own food.

Consumers

Another term for heterotrophs; they obtain energy from others.

Herbivores

Consumers that primarily eat producers.

Carnivores

Consumers that primarily eat other consumers.

Omnivores

Consumers that eat both producers and consumers.

Detritivores

Consumers that feed on ecosystem waste.

Decomposers

Bacteria and fungi that break down dead matter.

Trophic Level

Indicates an organism's position in energy transfer.

Food Chain

Single pathway of feeding relationships in ecosystems.

Food Web

Interrelated food chains within an ecosystem.

Energy Transfer Efficiency

Roughly 10% energy is transferred between trophic levels.

Environmental Science

Study of human relationships with the Earth.

Convection Cell

Regions of rising warm air and falling cold air.

Upwelling

Rising cold water replacing warm surface water.

El Niño

Warm-water anomaly off the Peruvian coast.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Ozone-depleting chemicals used in cooling systems.

Ozone Depletion

Destruction of ozone molecules by CFCs.

Correlation

Relationship where temperature changes match CO2 levels.

Cause-and-Effect Relationship

One event occurrence leads to another event.

Biodiversity

Variety of organisms in a specific area.

Evenness

Comparison of species' individual numbers in an area.

Genetic Diversity

Amount of genetic variation within an area.

Debt-for-Nature Swap

Paying off debts for biodiversity preservation.

Ecotourism

Tourism focused on natural destinations.

Utilitarian Value

Economic benefits derived from biodiversity.

Nonutilitarian Value

Value of organisms existing independently of use.

Conservation Biology

Protecting and managing biodiversity-rich areas.

Restoration Biology

Rebuilding heavily damaged ecosystems.

Migratory Birds

Birds that travel long distances for favorable environments.

Flyways

North-south routes followed by migratory birds.

Urban Ecology

Study of ecological relationships in urban environments.