Unit 9: Ecology Overview and Key Concepts

Ecology

Scientific study of organism interactions and environments.

Biosphere

Parts of Earth where life exists.

Population

Group of individuals of the same species in an area.

Community

Different populations living together in an area.

Ecosystem

All organisms and physical environment in a place.

Biome

Group of ecosystems with similar climates and organisms.

Biotic Factor

Living parts of an environment.

Abiotic Factor

Nonliving parts of an environment.

Observation

Research method leading to questions and hypotheses.

Experimentation

Testing hypotheses through controlled experiments.

Modeling

Understanding complex ecological processes through simulations.

Primary Producers

Organisms capturing energy to produce food.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce food from sunlight or chemicals.

Photosynthesis

Process converting light energy into sugars and oxygen.

Chemosynthesis

Process using chemical energy to produce carbohydrates.

Consumers

Organisms relying on others for energy and nutrients.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that consume other organisms for food.

Herbivores

Organisms that eat only plants for energy.

Carnivores

Organisms that eat only animals for energy.

Omnivores

Organisms that eat both plants and animals.

Food Chain

Series of steps transferring energy through eating.

Food Web

Complex network of interconnected food chains.

Trophic Level

Each step in a food chain or web.

Ecological Pyramid

Diagram showing energy or matter in trophic levels.

Pyramid of Energy

Displays energy amounts at trophic levels.

Pyramid of Biomass

Shows total living tissue at each trophic level.

Pyramid of Numbers

Indicates organism counts at different trophic levels.

Weather

Atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place.

Climate

Average temperature and precipitation over long periods.

Microclimates

Local climate variations within a larger area.

Solar Energy

Energy from the sun affecting climate.

Latitude

Distance from the equator influencing climate zones.

Greenhouse Effect

Heat trapping by atmospheric gases.

Climate Zones

Regions categorized as polar, temperate, or tropical.

Winds

Air movement distributing heat and moisture.

Ocean Currents

Water movements transporting heat across oceans.

Niche

Species' role and habitat in an ecosystem.

Tolerance

Range of conditions for species survival.

Resource

Essential elements for life, like water and nutrients.

Competition

Struggle for limited resources among organisms.

Competitive Exclusion Principle

No two species can occupy the same niche simultaneously.

Predation

Predator captures and consumes prey.

Herbivory

Herbivore feeds on producers like plants.

Keystone Species

Species whose population changes affect community structure.

Symbiosis

Close interaction between two species.

Mutualism

Both species benefit from the relationship.

Parasitism

One species benefits while the other is harmed.

Commensalism

One species benefits; the other is unaffected.

Succession

Ecosystem recovery process after disturbances.

Ecological Succession

Predictable changes in community over time.

Primary Succession

Starts in areas without soil or life.

Pioneer Species

First organisms to colonize barren environments.

Secondary Succession

Recovery after disturbance without soil loss.

Climax Community

Mature, stable ecosystem at succession's end.

Biome

Large area with distinct climate and organisms.

Tropical Rain Forest

Hot, wet ecosystem with layered vegetation.

Canopy

Upper layer of trees in tropical rain forests.

Understory

Layer beneath the canopy in forests.

Tropical Dry Forest

Forest with wet and dry seasonal cycles.

Deciduous Trees

Trees that shed leaves seasonally.

Tropical Grassland

Grasslands with scattered trees.

Desert

Receives less than 25 cm precipitation yearly.

Temperate Grassland

Warm summers, cold winters, and deep soil.

Temperate Woodland

Area with grasses, wildflowers, and scattered trees.

Temperate Forest

Forest with deciduous and evergreen conifers.

Coniferous Trees

Trees that produce seed-bearing cones.

Northwestern Coniferous Forest

Mild temperatures with abundant precipitation.

Boreal Forest

Dense coniferous evergreen forests.

Tundra

Cold biome with permanently frozen subsoil.

Aquatic Ecosystems

Ecosystems defined by water characteristics.

Photic Zone

Sunlit upper layer where photosynthesis occurs.

Aphotic Zone

Dark lower layer where photosynthesis cannot occur.

Benthic Zone

Bottom layer of aquatic ecosystems.

Benthos

Organisms living on the bottom of water bodies.

Freshwater Ecosystems

Includes flowing-water and standing-water habitats.

Estuaries

Wetlands where rivers meet the sea.

Detritus

Organic matter entering food webs in estuaries.

Marine Ecosystems

Ecosystems found in oceanic environments.

Intertidal Zone

Shallow area exposed to tidal changes.

Coastal Ocean

Shallow waters surrounding continental land.

Open Ocean

Deep ocean beyond continental shelf.