Ecosystems Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts, species interactions, and ecological processes from the lecture notes.

Ecology

The study of how organisms interact with one another and with their environment.

Biosphere

All parts of Earth where life exists.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms and the nonliving environment they interact with.

Community

All the different populations living in the same area.

Population

Members of the same species living in the same area.

Organism

One individual living thing.

Ecological Hierarchy

The ranking of ecological levels from largest to smallest: Biosphere -> ecosystem -> community -> population -> organism.

Biotic Factors

Living or once-living parts of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, predators, and food.

Abiotic Factors

Nonliving parts of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, water, temperature, soil, rocks, air, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.

Habitat

The place where an organism lives.

Niche

An organism's role or job in its ecosystem.

Carrying Capacity

The largest population an ecosystem can support over time.

Producers

Organisms that make their own food, usually through photosynthesis.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy by eating other organisms.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organisms and waste and return nutrients to the environment.

Photosynthesis

The process plants use to make glucose and oxygen from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.

Ecological Succession

The gradual change of an ecosystem over time.

Primary Succession

Succession that begins on bare land where no soil exists.

Secondary Succession

Succession that occurs after a disturbance when soil remains, which usually happens faster than primary succession.

Pioneer Species

The first organisms to colonize an area, such as lichens, mosses, bacteria, and small plants, which help break down rock and form soil.

Mutualism

A relationship in which both species benefit (+/+).

Commensalism

A relationship in which one species benefits and the other is unaffected (+/0).

Parasitism

A relationship in which one species benefits and the other is harmed (+/-).

Predation

A relationship in which one species kills and eats another.

Herbivory

When an animal eats a plant or algae.

Competition

When organisms compete for limited resources.

Coevolution

When two species evolve in response to one another.

Carbon Cycle

The movement of carbon among the atmosphere, organisms, soil, oceans, and fossil fuels.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in Earth's atmosphere.