ESS: Topic 2.1 Ecosystems & Ecology

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Ecology

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23 Terms

1

Ecology

The study of interactions among and between organisms in their abiotic environment.

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2

Abiotic Factors

The non-living, physical factors that influence the organisms and ecosystem — such as temperature, sunlight, pH, salinity, and precipitation.

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3

Biotic Factors

The interactions between the organisms—such as predation, herbivory, parasitism, mutualism, disease, and competition.

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4

Species

A group of organisms that share common characteristics and that interbreed to produce fertile offspring

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5

Habitat

A habitat is the environment in which a species normally lives

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6

Niche

A niche describes the particular set of abiotic and biotic conditions and resources to which an organism or population responds

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7

Fundamental niche

Describes the full range of conditions and resources in which a species could survive and reproduce

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8

Realized niche

Describes the actual conditions and resources in which a species exists due to biotic interactions

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9

Resource Partitioning

The fundamental niches of two species overlap and through competition develop a narrower realized niche

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10

Mutualism

Symbiotic relationship in which both partners benefit

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11

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other one is neither harmed nor helped

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12

Parasitism

Symbiotic relationship in which one species is benefited and the other is adversely affected

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13

Predation

The consumption of one species (the prey) by another (the predator).​

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14

Herbivory

The consumption of a plant species by an animal

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15

Competition

This is the interaction between organisms that are trying to attain the same resources. This might be food but it could also be for mates, territory, nesting sites, etc.

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16

Decomposer

Feeds on dead and decaying material, thus recycling the nutrients.

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17

J-Shaped Curve

A population growth curve showing exponential growth with no carrying capacity reached.

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18

S-Shaped Curve

A population growth curve showing exponential growth followed by slowed growth until carrying capacity is reached.

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19

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size that a given area can support sustainably.

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20

Limiting Factors

Biotic or abiotic factors which lead to a limit in the population growth.

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21

Density-dependent Limiting Factors

Limiting factors related to how densely packed a population is, e.g. competition

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22

Density-independent Limiting Factors

Limiting factors unrelated to population density such as natural disasters and weather change.

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23

Symbiosis

individuals living on or in individuals of another species where one or both species use the others resources. Includes mutualism, commensalism and parasitism.

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