aice marine 4.4

ecosystem

living organisms and the environment with which they interact

habitat

the natural environment where an organisms live

niche

the role of a species within an ecosystem

species

a group of similar organisms that can interbreed naturally to produce fertile offspring

population

all the individuals of the same species that live at the same place and time

biotic factors

the living parts of an ecosystem, which includes the organisms and effects on each other

disease

an illness characterized by specific symptoms

intra-specific competition

competition between individuals of the same species

inter-specific competition

competition between members of different species

mark-release-recapture

a method to estimate the population size of mobile species

lincoln index

mathematical equation that can use the mark-release-recapture data to estimate population size

frame quadrant

plastic or metal square that sets a standard unit of area for study of the distribution of marine organisms

transect

a rope or tape marked at regular intervals that sets standard distances for study of the distribution of marine organisms

line transect

a sampling method involving counting of species that touch the transect

continuous sampling

samples are taken along the whole length of the transect

belt transect

a sampling method involving counting of species in frame quadrants placed adjacent to the transect

random sampling

samples are taken at random places within the same sample

ethical method

evaluates and chooses ways to protect the natural habitat under investigation

safe method

identifies potential hazards and then reducing their risk of occurring