Freshman Biology: Ecosystems

Natality

Natality

Natality is the rate of new individuals born in a population during a specific time. It helps understand population dynamics and is affected by factors such as birth rates, fertility rates, and reproductive health.

Mortality

Mortality: The state of being subject to death; the condition of being mortal.

Immigration

Migration is the movement of people between countries, either permanently or temporarily, influenced by factors like economic opportunities, political instability, or family reunification.

Emigration

The act of leaving one's home country to settle in another.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size an environment can support sustainably, considering available resources and carrying capacity. It determines population-resource balance.

Exponential Growth

Exponential Growth: Rapid increase over time, proportional to current amount. J-shaped curve.

Logistic Curve

A mathematical model shows population or phenomenon growth/decline over time. It begins with exponential growth, levels off near maximum capacity. Used for population growth, technology adoption, and market saturation.

Density Dependent Limiting Factor

Density-dependent limiting factors are factors that impact population growth based on density. Examples include resource competition, predation, and disease.

Density Independent Limiting Factor

Environmental factor that affects a population regardless of its size or density. Examples include natural disasters, climate change, and pollution. These factors can cause significant population declines or even extinction events.

Predation

Predation is when a predator hunts, captures, and feeds on a prey for survival.

Herivory

"Animals eating plants, which can remove or destroy parts of the plant. This is important for controlling plant populations and shaping ecosystems."

Keystone Species

Keystone species are vital organisms in an ecosystem with a big impact. Their absence can disrupt the whole ecosystem.

Symbioses

Mutually beneficial relationships between species involve reliance on each other for survival or reproduction. Examples include mutualism, where both species benefit, and commensalism, where one species benefits while the other is unaffected.

Mutualism

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit by relying on each other for resources, protection, or reproduction. Examples include bees pollinating flowers and cleaner fish removing parasites from larger fish.

Parasitism

Symbiotic relationship: one organism benefits (parasite) and harms the other (host).

Commensalism

commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationships. In mutualism, both species benefit, while in commensalism, one species benefits without affecting the other.

Habitat

The natural environment where organisms live and find resources for survival, such as food, water, shelter, and mates. Habitats can vary in size, be terrestrial or aquatic, and provide specific conditions for different species.

Niche

Species have specific roles in their environment, interacting with other species and utilizing resources.

Competitive exclusion principle

The Competitive Exclusion Principle states that competing species cannot coexist long-term.

Weather

Weather refers to the conditions of the atmosphere at a specific location and time. This includes temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed, and cloud cover.

Climate

Climate refers to the long-term weather patterns in a region, including temperature, precipitation, wind, and other factors. It is influenced by factors like location, elevation, proximity to water bodies, and global air circulation. Climate determines the climate zone of a region and has a significant impact on ecosystems and human activities.

Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, causing global warming and climate change.

Ozone Layer

The ozone layer absorbs harmful UV radiation, protecting Earth's surface.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)

a class of organic compounds that are gaseous and contain carbon, fluorine, and chlorine

Biome

A large area with unique climate, vegetation, and animal life. Biomes include deserts, rainforests, tundras, grasslands, and more. They maintain biodiversity and regulate Earth's climate.

Climograph

A climograph shows average temperature and precipitation over time, helping to identify climate type and seasonal patterns.

Desertification

Process where fertile land becomes desert due to climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable agriculture. Results in biodiversity loss, community displacement, and soil erosion.

Deforestation

The clearing, removal, or destruction of forests, primarily for human activities such as agriculture, logging, or urbanization. It leads to the loss of biodiversity, disruption of ecosystems, and contributes to climate change.

Biodiversity

The variety of life on Earth, including all living organisms and the ecosystems they inhabit. It encompasses genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. Biodiversity is crucial for the stability and resilience of ecosystems, providing essential ecosystem services such as food production, water purification, and climate regulation.