Ecology

Ecology

the study of the interactions between organisms and their environments

Biosphere

 the parts of the earth where life is found. The biosphere extends from the deepest oceans to the upper atmosphere and includes all the air, land, and water where life exists.

Biotic factors

living things such as plants and animals in the environment

Abiotic factors

non living things such as soil, water, temperature, air, light, wind, and minerals in the environment

Population

organisms of one species living together in the same place at the same time

Population density

the number of individuals in  a species in a given area Formula- divide area by number of individuals in that area

Overpopulation

The number of individuals of one species of an environment that exceeds its sustainable size.

Carrying Capacity

The largest number of individuals of one species that an environment can support

Community

made up of all of the populations of different species that live in the same place at the same time

Order from least to greatest

Organism, population community, ecosystem

Habitat-

the place where an organism lives in a community (ex nest in a tree)

Niche

 the role of a species within a community. What a species eats, how it gets its food, and how it interacts with other organisms are all part of its niche. 

Ecosystem-

a community interacting with the abiotic parts of its environment Example- coral interacting with the ocean water, a deer drinking water from a stream, frog sitting on a rock

Producers

Make own food from within

Consumers

Get energy from other consumers or producers

Decomposers

Get energy from dead or decaying plants and animals

Herbivore

Eat plants only

Carnivore

Eat only other animals/meat

Omnivore

Eat both plants and animals/meat

Limiting Factor

Anything that restricts the size of population

Species

A group of organisms that have similar traits and can produce fertile offsprings

Competition

The struggle in a community for the same resources

Carrying Capacity

The largest number of individuals of one species that an environment can support

Symbiosis

Any close relationship between species

Mutualism

A  symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit Ex:  Lichen and old tree

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is not affected Ex: Clownfish and sea anemones

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is  harmed Ex: Roundworm in a dog

Niche

refers to how an organism survives, where it obtains food, and shelter, find a mate and cares for its young and protects itself

Food web

A series of overlapping food chains.  The organisms in a food web eat or are eaten by many organisms. (more complex than a food chain)

Food chain

A way to describe how the energy in food  moves through the biotic community. A simple food chain includes plants (producers), the rabbit (herbivore/primary consumer), and the hawk (carnivore/secondary consumer)

Predator-Prey relationship

Important feeding relationship. Prey will develop adaptations to evade predators.  Ex: Beetles that look like trees, chameleons that blend in with their surroundings.

-Camouflage - Allows the animal to hide by blending into its environment.

-Mimicry - Animal copies the appearance or behavior of another organism. Ex: Viceroy butterflies copy monarch butterflies.