Introduction to Ecology and Evolution

A set of flashcards covering key terminology and concepts from the Introduction to Ecology and Evolution lecture notes.

Ecology

The science by which we study how organisms interact with each other and with their natural environment.

Ecologist

A scientist who studies relationships among organisms and their environments.

Environmental scientist

A person who uses interdisciplinary knowledge to analyze environmental problems and develop solutions.

Environmentalist

Someone concerned about the impacts of human activities on environmental quality.

Conservation biologist

An applied scientist interested in the maintenance of the earth's biological diversity.

Conservationist

An advocate for sensible and careful use of natural resources, focusing on sustainability.

Preservationist

An advocate for allowing some land and some creatures to exist without significant human interference.

Wildlife manager

A professional who manages lands and wildlife populations using ecological data.

Population approach

Focuses on changes in sizes of populations over time and the factors affecting these changes.

Community approach

Studies interactions among groups of organisms inhabiting the same area.

Ecosystem approach

Examines organisms and their interactions with the environment in terms of quantifiable metrics.

Biosphere approach

Quantifies the movement of life’s critical elements through the biosphere.

Sustainability

The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level, especially regarding natural resources.

Interdisciplinary knowledge

Combining two or more academic disciplines to solve problems or analyze complex issues.

Darwin's struggle for existence

Refers to the competition among organisms to survive and reproduce.