Ecology and Biomes Review

This set of flashcards covers key concepts in ecology, including definitions of biotic and abiotic factors, different types of biomes, population dynamics, symbiotic relationships, food webs, and ecological succession.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

Microclimate

A small, localized area with distinct climate conditions that differ from the surrounding area.

Aquatic Biomes

Biomes located in water, characterized by their depth, salinity, and the types of organisms found there.

Producers in Aquatic Biomes

Organisms, primarily plants and phytoplankton, that produce organic compounds through photosynthesis in aquatic environments.

Adaptive Radiation

The evolutionary process where organisms diversify rapidly into a variety of forms to adapt to different environments.

Population

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

Life Tables

Tables that show the survival and reproductive rates of a population at different ages.

Reproductive Table

A table that summarizes the reproductive output of females at various ages in a population.

Logistic Growth

Population growth that levels off as the population size approaches the carrying capacity.

Symbiotic Relationships

Interactions between different organisms living in close physical proximity, usually benefit at least one of the individuals.

Food Web

A complex network of feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Trophic Levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, representing the flow of energy and nutrients from primary producers to apex predators.

Eutrophication

The process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.

Primary Succession

The ecological process of community development on previously uninhabited land.

Secondary Succession

The ecological process of community development following a disturbance that does not destroy the soil.

Biogeochemical Cycling

The movement of chemical elements and compounds between living organisms and the physical environment.