Science-Biodiversity Set #1

Zonation

The distinct horizontal banding or distribution of species along an environment gradiant (Eg, altitude, water depth, tidal level) is an ecosystem.

Stratification

The vertical layering of a habitat (eg, forest canopy, floor) based on varying environmental conditions like light, temperature and moisture.

Interspecific Competition

Competition occurring between indivisuals of different species for shared limited resources.

Intraspecific competition

competition occurring between individuals of the same species for shared limited resources.

Natural Selection

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, passing their favorable traits onto the next generation.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum stable population size of a particular species that an environment can sustainably support, given the available resources.

Limiting Factors

Environmental factors (biotic or abiotic) that restrict the size, distribution, or growth of a population, preventing it from reaching its maximum potential size.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem that effect other organisms. (eg, predators, parasites, competition, food)

Abiotic Factors

Non-living physical and chemical components of an ecosystem that affect living organisms (eg, temperature, Ph, sunlight, water)