APES LWE vocab

10% rule

The ecological principle stating that, on average, only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level in a food chain or web.

abiotic

Non-living factors in the environment

ex) Temperature, sunlight, soil, and water

abyssopelagic zone

The region of the deep ocean, extending from deaths of approximately 4,000 meters to the ocean floor.

adaptations

Characteristics or traits that enhance the survival and reproduction of organisms in their environment.

ammonification

The process in which decomposers convert organic nitrogen into ammonium ions during the decay of organic matter.

aphotic zone

The portion of a water body where light is absent, preventing photosynthesis; typically found in deeper waters.

ex) Oceans or lakes

assimilation

The process by which plants and animals take up nutrients (such as nitrogen) from their environment and incorporate them into their tissues.

autotrophs

Organisms, often plant and algae, that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis

bathypelagic zone

The region of the deep ocean, typically found between 1,000 and 4,000 meters below the surface.

biogeochemical cycles

The pathways through which chemical elements, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, move through the Earth's atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

bioluminescence

The production and emission of light by living organisms.

biome

A large geographic region characterized by specific climate, soil, and vegetation, supporting particular types of communities.

biosphere

The sum of all ecosystems on Earth, where living organisms interact with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

biotic

Living components or factors in an ecosystem, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

camouflage

A survival strategy where an organism's appearance or behavior allows it to blend in with its surroundings, providing protection from predators.

carbon cycle

The movement of carbon through various reservoirs, including the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms.

carnivore

An organism that primarily feeds on other animals.

cellular respiration

The process by which cells break down organic compounds to release energy for cellular activities, typically using oxygen.

commensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits, other is unaffected.

community

A group of interacting populations of different species living in the same area.

competition

The interaction between organisms or species that compete for the same resources in an ecosystem.

competitive exclusion principle

The ecological principle stating that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist in the same place for an extended period if other factors remain constant.

cultural eutrophication

The process by which human activities, such as input of excess nutrients, lead to accelerated nutrient enrichment in aquatic ecosystems.

decompose

The process of breaking down dead organic matter by decomposer organisms, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem.

denitrification

The process by which bacteria convert nitrates or nitrites into nitrogen gas or nitrous oxide, releasing nitrogen into the atmosphere.

detritivore

Organisms that feed on dead organic matter and contribute to the decomposition process.

downstream

The direction in which a river or stream flows, typically from higher elevations to lower elevations.

ecology

The study of the interactions among and between organisms and their environment.

ecosystems

Biological communities of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

ecotone

The transitional area between two ecosystems, characterized by a mix of species from both ecosystems.

epipelagic zone

The surface layer of the ocean where light penetrates, allowing for photosynthesis; also known as the euphotic zone.

evaporation

The process by which water changes from liquid to water vapor, primarily from surfaces of lakes, oceans, and the soil.

evapotranspiration loop

The combined processes of evaporation from the soil and transpiration from plants, collectively contributing to water vapor in the atmosphere.

food chain

A linear sequence of trophic levels in an ecosystem that illustrates the transfer of energy from producers to consumers.

food web

A complex, interconnected model that represents the feeding relationships and energy flow among various species in an ecosystem.

fossil fuels

Carbon-rich energy resources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.

fundamental niche

The full range of environmental conditions and resources in which a species can potentially exist.

gravitational water

Water that moves downward through the soil under the influence of gravity.

groundwater

Water stored beneath the Earth's surface in aquifers.

gross primary productivity

The total amount of energy captured by autotrophs through photosynthesis.

hadalpelagic zone

The deepest ocean zone, found in deep ocean trenches.

herbivore

An organism that primarily feeds on plants.

heterotroph

Organism that obtains organic compounds and energy by consuming other organisms.

host

An organism that provides habitat and nourishment for a parasite.

infiltration

The process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil.

infiltration-runoff ratio

The proportion of precipitation that infiltrates the soil versus the proportion that becomes surface runoff.

interspecific competition

Competition for resources between individuals of different species.

lake

A large, inland body of standing water.

limnetic zone

The open, sunlit surface waters of a lake, away from the shore.

littoral zone

The shallow, nearshore area of a lake where light penetrates to the lake bottom.

mesopelagic zone

The ocean zone found between the epipelagic and bathypelagic zones, characterized by partial sunlight.

moving water ecosystem

Ecosystems associated with flowing water, such as rivers and streams.

mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

negative feedback loop

A regulatory mechanism that counteracts an initial change, maintaining stability in a system.

net primary productivity

The amount of energy captured by autotrophs through photosynthesis, minus the energy lost through respiration.

niche

The role and function of a species in an ecosystem, including its habitat, diet, and interactions with other species.

nitrification

The conversion of ammonium ions into nitrites and then nitrates by bacteria in the soil.

nitrogen cycle

The movement of nitrogen through various forms and locations in the environment, including the atmosphere, soil and living organisms.

nitrogen fixation

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia or other nitrogen compounds by certain bacteria.

parasite

An organism that lives in or on another organism (host) and derives nutrients at the host's expense.

parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one species (parasite) benefits at the expense of another species (host).

phytoplankton

Microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that drift in water and form the base of aquatic food chains.

phosphorus cycle

The movement of phosphorus through the Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

photic zone

The upper layer of a water body, where sufficient light penetrates to support photosynthesis.

photosynthesis

The process by which plants and other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose from carbon dioxide and water.

pond

A small, standing water body, typically shallower than a lake.

population

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

positive feedback loop

A mechanism that amplifies an initial change, often leading to further changes in a system.

predator

An organism that hunts, captures, and consumes other organisms (prey).

prey

Organisms that are hunted, captured, and consumed by predators.

primary consumer

Herbivores that consumer producers (plants and algae).

primary producers

Autotrophs, mainly plants and algae, that capture energy from the sun through photosynthesis.

primary productivity

The rate at which autotrophs produce organic compounds and capture energy through photosynthesis.

profundal zone

The deep, dark, open water area in a lake that is too deep for sunlight to penetrate.

realized niche

The actual range of conditions and resources where a species exists, considering interactions with other species.

resource partitioning

The division of limited resources among species to avoid direct competition.

river

A large, moving body of water flowing in a channel towards the ocean or a lake.

runoff

Water that flows over the surface of the land and is not absorbed by the soil.

secondary consumer

Carnivores that consume primary consumers.

seep

A location where water emerges from the ground.

spring

A location where groundwater discharges at the Earth's surface.

standing water ecosystem

Ecosystems associated with still or standing water, such as lakes and ponds.

symbiosis

A close and long-term interaction between two different species.

tertiary consumer

Carnivores that consumer secondary consumers.

transpiration

The release of water vapor from plant leaves into the atmosphere.

trophic levels

The hierarchical levels in a food chain or web, including producers and various levels of consumers.

water cycle

The continuous movement of water through the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

water vapor

Gaseous water in the atmosphere.

well

A hole drilled into the ground to access groundwater.

wetlands

Ecosystems characterized by periodically or permanently saturated soil, supporting unique plant and animal communities.