Introduction to Ecology

These flashcards cover key concepts in ecology, helping students understand the interactions between organisms and their environment, the scientific method as applied to ecological studies, and the impact of various factors on ecological systems.

Ecology

The scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Interconnectedness

Events in the natural world are interconnected, where interactions between organisms influence one another.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation that can be tested through observation and experimentation.

Field Experiment

An experiment conducted in a natural environment to study ecological interactions.

Control Group

A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment and is used as a benchmark.

Ribeiroia

A genus of flatworm responsible for causing deformities in amphibians by acting as a parasite.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.

Natural Selection

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.

Primary Cause of Decline

Habitat loss was identified as the primary cause for the decline in many amphibian species.

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

The rate at which energy is converted by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs to organic substances.

Overexploitation

The unsustainable use of natural resources leading to a decline in species populations.

Disease Pathogen

Microorganisms that cause disease; among them, Chytrid fungus has significantly impacted amphibian populations.

Adaptation

A characteristic that improves an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Nutrient Cycles

The continuous recycling of nutrients from the physical environment to organisms and back again.

Metamorphosis

The developmental process in amphibians where they transition from juvenile forms to adults.

Chytrid Fungus

A pathogenic fungus responsible for devastating declines in amphibian populations.

Statistical Models

Quantitative methods used to analyze ecological data and support scientific conclusions.