Unit 2 Chapter 3: Ecology- the biosphere

biosphere

Our entire planet, with all its organisms and physical environments

species

group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring

population

group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area

community

assemblage of different populations that live together in a defined area

ecology

scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment

ecosystem

all the organisms that live in a place, together with their physical environment

biome

group of ecosystems with similar climates and typical organisms

biotic factor

any living part of the environment with which an organism might interact

abiotic factor

physical, or nonliving part of the environment

autotroph

organism that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals and use it to produce its own food from inorganic compounds

primary producer

first producer of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms

photosynthesis

process used plants and other autotrophs to capture light energy and use it to power chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as sugars and starches

chemosynthesis

process in which chemical energy is used to produce carbohydrates

heterotroph

organism that obtains food by consuming other organisms

consumer

organism that relies on other organisms for its energy and nutrients

carnivore

organism that obtains energy by killing and eating other animals

herbivore

organism that obtains energy by eating only plants

scavenger

animal that consumes the carcasses of other animals

omnivore

organism that obtains energy by eating both plants and animals

decomposer

organism that breaks down and obtains energy from dead organic matter. They produce detritus.

detritivore

organism that feeds on detritus. They may also digest decomposers that live on and in detritus particles.

food chain

series of steps in an ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

food web

network of complex interactions formed by the feeding relationships among the various organisms in an ecosystem. It is a network of food chains.

trophic level

each step in a food chain or food web

ecological pyramid

illustration of the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a given food chain or food web

nitrogen fixation

process of converting nitrogen gas into nitrogen compounds that plants can absorb and use

Tropical Rain Forest

**Abiotic:** warm and wet year-round; soils are thin and nutrient-poor 

**Biotic**: plants with large leaves and buttress tree roots; animals active year-round

Tropical Dry Forest

**Biotic**: deciduous plants, waxy plant leaves; many animals estivate or migrate

**Abiotic:** warm year-round; alternating wet-dry seasons; rich soils 

Tropical Grassland/Savanna/Scrubland

**Abiotic:** warm; seasonal rainfall; compact soils; frequent fires set by lightning

**Biotic**: plants with waxy leaves, seasonal leaf loss; many animals migrate or are dormant during dry season 

Desert

**Biotic**: small plant leaves; many animals nocturnal, many get water from their food

**Abiotic:** low precipitation; variable temperatures; soils poor in organic material 

Temperate Grassland

**Biotic**: plants resistant to grazing and fire; small animals use camouflage and burrowing as protection

**Abiotic:** warm summers, cold winters; moderate precipitation; fertile soils; occasional fires 

Temperate Woodland and Shrubland

**Abiotic:** warm, dry summers; cool, moist winters; nutrient-poor soils; periodic fires

**Biotic**: plants adapted to drought and fire; animals         commonly browsers

Temperate Forest

**Biotic**: deciduous trees; some animals hibernate, some migrate in winter

**Abiotic:** cold winters, warm summers; year-round precipitation; fertile soils 

Northwestern Coniferous Forest

**Biotic**: dense plant growth, tall trees; many animals have varied diets 

**Abiotic:** mild temperatures; abundant precipitation in fall, winter, and spring; cool, dry summers; rocky, acidic soils 

Boreal Forest/Taiga

**Biotic**: dark-green conifers; many animals have extra insulation, some migrate in winter

**Abiotic:** long, cold winters; mild summers; moderate precipitation; acidic, nutrient-poor soils

Tundra

**Biotic**: small plants growing low to the ground; many animals migrate in winter or have heat-saving adaptations

**Abiotic:** strong winds; low precipitation; short, soggy summers; long, cold, dark winters; permafrost 

intertidal zone

the area between high and low tide

coastal ocean

from low tide to edge of continental shelf

open ocean

past the edge of the continental shelf

wetlands

an ecosystem in which water covers the soil or is present at or near the surface for at least part of the year.

freshwater bogs

soft, spongy ground consisting mainly of partially decayed plant matter called peat, acidic water

freshwater marshes

mainly grasses and rich soil

freshwater swamps

has trees

Estuary

wetland that forms where a river meets the sea.