Ecology and Biomes Vocabulary

Flashcards for 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3

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, like food or habitat, to minimize competition and allow for their coexistence.

Competitive exclusion

When two or more species in a habitat require the same limited resources for survival, one species with even a slight advantage will eventually dominate.

Biotic

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

Abiotic

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

Niche

An organism's ecological role is its job or function within an ecosystem.

Autotrophs

They use light energy (phototrophs) or chemical energy from inorganic compounds (chemoautotrophs) to synthesize food.

Heterotrophs

They consume other organisms to acquire the necessary high-energy carbon compounds and then break them down through respiration.

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).

Community

All the populations of different species that live and interact within a particular area.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific geographical area.

Stream

A narrow, shallow body of water flowing over land. Characterized by their relatively high flow rate and often having clear, oxygenated water. They support diverse aquatic life, including fish, insects, and amphibians.

River

A wide, deep body of water flowing over land. These typically have slower flow rates than streams and may be more turbid due to suspended sediment. They often support larger fish populations and can be important drinking water sources.

Pond

A small, shallow body of standing water. These are often characterized by their still waters and abundant vegetation. They provide a habitat for various aquatic plants and animals, including frogs, turtles, and dragonflies.

Lake

A large, deep body of standing water. These can be natural or artificial and vary significantly in size and depth. They are often stratified into different layers, with colder, denser water at the bottom and warmer, less dense water at the top. They support diverse aquatic life, including fish, plankton, and aquatic plants.

Wetlands

Areas where the soil is saturated with water for the entire year. They are essential for filtering pollutants, providing habitat for wildlife, and regulating water flow. They can be classified as marshes, swamps, bogs, or fens.

Freshwater Marshes

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

Fens

Wetlands fed by groundwater. Their alkaline water and abundant vegetation typically characterize these freshwater ecosystems. They are often home to unique plant and animal species.

Swamps

Wetlands dominated by trees. They are often found in areas with slow-moving water and can be important for providing habitat for various wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Bogs

Wetlands characterized by acidic water and peat. They are typically found in areas with poor drainage and can be important for storing carbon.

Oceans

Large bodies of saltwater that cover most of the Earth's surface. They are home to many marine life, including fish, mammals, and invertebrates. They also play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate.

Coral reefs

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

Marshland

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

Estuaries

Where freshwater meets saltwater. These are 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. They are important primary producers in aquatic ecosystems and provide food for other organisms. They can also be a source of pollution if they grow in excessive amounts.

Salinity

The concentration of salt in water. It can vary greatly in different aquatic environments, from freshwater lakes and rivers to saltwater oceans. It is an essential factor that influences the distribution of aquatic organisms.

Brackish

Water that is a mixture of freshwater and saltwater. This water is often found in estuaries and coastal wetlands. It is 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. It is an essential factor that influences the amount of sunlight that reaches the water and the distribution of aquatic organisms.

Turbidity

The cloudiness of the water. It is caused by suspended particles, such as sediment and algae. It 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. It is essential for the growth of plants and other organisms in aquatic ecosystems, but too much or too little can negatively impact ecosystem health.

Temperature

The measure of how hot or cold something is. It is an essential factor that influences the distribution of aquatic organisms and the rates of metabolic processes.

Oligotrophic lakes

This category of a lake is characterized by low nutrient levels. They often have clear, deep waters and support relatively few aquatic plants and animals. Due to the scarcity of nutrients, oligotrophic lakes typically have low primary productivity.

Mesotrophic lakes

This category of a lake is characterized by moderate nutrient levels and are often characterized by a balance between plant growth and water clarity. They support a variety of aquatic life, including fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants.

Eutrophic lakes

This category of a lake is characterized by high nutrient levels. They often have murky waters due to excessive algae growth. The abundance of nutrients can lead to decreased oxygen levels and the death of aquatic life. Often caused by human activities such as pollution and deforestation.