Unit 1 Part A: Living World Ecosystems

Flashcards connected to AP Environmental Science Unit 1 Topics

Predator

An organism that hunts and consumes other organisms to obtain food.

Prey

An organism that is hunted and consumed by another organism.

Symbiosis

A close and long-term interaction between two or more species of organisms.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from the interaction.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefited.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (the host).

Competition

The interaction between organisms that compete for the same resources.

Intraspecific competition

Competition between individuals of the same species for the same resources.

Interspecific competition

Competition between individuals of different species for the same resources.

Resource partitioning

The phenomenon where different species within an ecosystem divide up available resources to minimize competition and allow for their coexistence.

Biotic

Living things in an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, bacteria, and microorganisms; can also include dead organisms and animal waste.

Biome

A large-scale ecosystem defined by its similar climate conditions, plant life, and animal life.

Climate

The long-term average weather conditions in a particular region, including temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns.

Taiga

A biome characterized by coniferous forests, cold winters, and short summers.

Temperate rainforest

A biome characterized by tall evergreen trees, abundant rainfall, and mild temperatures.

Temperate seasonal forests

A biome characterized by deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the winter, moderate temperatures, and distinct seasons.

Tropical rainforests

A biome characterized by lush vegetation, abundant rainfall, and warm temperatures year-round.

Shrubland

A biome characterized by dense growth of low-growing woody plants, often found in regions with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

Temperate grassland

A biome characterized by grasses and wildflowers, moderate temperatures, and relatively low rainfall.

Savanna

A biome characterized by grasses, scattered trees, and a dry season.

Desert

A biome characterized by arid conditions, sparse vegetation, and extreme temperatures.

Tundra

A biome characterized by cold temperatures, frozen ground, and low-growing vegetation.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms (biotic factors) interacting with their non-living environment (abiotic factors).

Stream

A narrow, shallow body of water flowing over land with a high flow rate and clear, oxygenated water, supporting diverse aquatic life.

River

A wide, deep body of water flowing over land with slower flow rates and often more turbid water, supporting larger fish populations.

Abiotic

Not living or made up of living things; examples include sunlight, temperature, wind patterns, precipitation, ocean currents, humidity, and soil chemistry.

Pond

A small, shallow body of standing water characterized by still waters and abundant vegetation providing habitat for aquatic plants and animals.

Lake

A large, deep body of standing water that can be natural or artificial, often stratified into different layers and supports diverse aquatic life.

Wetlands

Areas where the soil is saturated with water for the entire year, essential for filtering pollutants, providing habitat for wildlife, and regulating water flow.

Freshwater Marshes

Wetlands dominated by grasses and reeds, often found in areas with shallow water and important for flood control and nutrient cycling.

Fens

Wetlands fed by groundwater, characterized by alkaline water and abundant vegetation. They often home to unique plant and animal species.

Swamps

Wetlands dominated by trees, often found in areas with slow-moving water and important for providing habitat for various wildlife.

Bogs

Wetlands characterized by acidic water and peat, typically found in areas with poor drainage and important for storing carbon.

Oceans

Large bodies of saltwater that cover most of the Earth's surface, home to many marine life, and play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate.

Coral reefs

Underwater structures built by tiny animals called coral polyps that support a wide variety of marine life but are highly sensitive to changes in water temperature and pollution.

Marshland

Wetlands dominated by grasses and reeds, often found in coastal areas, and important for protecting against storm surges and providing habitat for various wildlife.

Estuaries

Areas where freshwater meets saltwater, representing areas of transition between rivers and the ocean; they are highly productive ecosystems that support a diverse range of marine and freshwater species.

Algae

Simple plants that live in water and provide food for other organisms as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems but can cause pollution if they grow in excessive amounts.

Salinity

The concentration of salt in water which varies greatly in different aquatic environments; this is an essential factor that influences the distribution of aquatic organisms.

Brackish

Water that is a mixture of freshwater and saltwater, often found in estuaries and coastal wetlands and home to a unique community of organisms adapted to tolerate varying salinity levels.

Depth

The distance from the surface of the water to the bottom, influencing the amount of sunlight that reaches the water and the distribution of aquatic organisms.

Turbidity

The cloudiness of the water caused by suspended particles that can reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches the water and affect the health of aquatic ecosystems.

Nutrient availability

The amount of nutrients in the water, essential for the growth of plants and other organisms in aquatic ecosystems, but too much or too little can be harmful.

Temperature

The measure of how hot or cold something is, influencing the distribution of aquatic organisms and the rates of metabolic processes.

Oligotrophic lakes

A category of lake characterized by low nutrient levels which often leads to clear, deep waters but also low primary productivity.

Mesotrophic lakes

A category of lake typified by moderate nutrient levels with a balance between plant growth and water clarity, supporting a variety of aquatic life.

Eutrophic lakes

A category of lake characterized by high nutrient levels, often leading to murky waters due to excessive algae growth.