Populations and Ecosystems - Science

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Abiotic Factor

A non-living feature of an ecosystem (rock, water, sun, etc.)

Biodiversity

the variety of life in the world or in a particular ecosystem or habitat

Biotic Factor

A living feature of an ecosystem (plants, animals, leaves, etc.)

Density-dependent factor

The tendency for the death rate in a population to increase, or the birth or growth rate to decrease, as the density of the population increases

Density-independent factor

The tendency for the death, birth or growth rate in a population neither to rise nor fall as the density increases

Population

a group of individuals of one species in an area

Coexistence

the living together of two organisms or species in the same habitat without trying to eliminate the other

Commensalism

an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm

Competition

an interaction between organisms or species for resources - food, shelter, etc.

Mutualism

a relationship between two species of organisms that both benefit from the relationship

Parasitism

a relationship between two organisms in which one benefits or lives off the other

Predation

an interaction between species in which one species (the predator) eats the other (the prey)

Symbiosis

interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association.

Autotroph

an organism that makes its own food

Carbon Cycle

the transfer of carbon through naturally occurring processes between organisms and the environment

Carnivore

an organism that eats meat, from other animals

Consumer

an organism that obtains energy from feeding on another organism

Decomposer

organisms that break down waste and the remains of other organisms to return the raw materials back to the ecosystem

Ecological Pyramid

models that show how energy flows through ecosystems

Energy Pyramid

An energy pyramid is a graphical representation, showing the flow of energy at each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Number Pyramid

A graphical representation in the form of a pyramid showing the feeding relationship and the number of organisms at each trophic level.

Biomass Pyramid

a graphical representation of the relative biomasses of different ecosystems in a food chain, from primary producers to tertiary (or beyond) consumers, that is represented in a pyramid shape.

Food Chain

the order in which matter and energy in the form of food is transferred from one organism to another

Food Web

a network of food chains or feeding relationships

Herbivore

an animal that feeds on plants

Heterotroph

an organism that can not make its own food and gets its food from other organisms

Nitrogen Cycle

a continuous series of natural processes by which nitrogen passes successively from air to soil to organisms and back to air or soil

Omnivore

an organism that eats both plants and animals

Producer

an organism that can make its own food

Trophic Level

each level in the transfer of energy through an ecosystem

Water Cycle

the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface

Carrying Capacity

the total number of individuals of a population that can be sustained indefinitely by an ecosystem

Limiting Factors

Any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms.

habitat

the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism