Ecosystem Vocabulary Review (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms from the notes about ecosystems, energy flow, and disruption and protection within ecosystems.

Ecosystem

A large community where living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts interact, with energy and nutrients moving through the system.

Biotic parts

Living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Abiotic parts

Non-living components of an ecosystem, such as sun, water, dirt, and air.

Producers

Organisms that make their own food using sunlight; plants are the main example.

Photosynthesis

The process by which producers use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose (food) and oxygen.

Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy by eating other organisms; includes herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

Herbivores

Animals that eat plants (e.g., rabbits).

Carnivores

Animals that eat other animals (e.g., foxes).

Omnivores

Animals that eat both plants and animals (e.g., bears).

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil (e.g., worms, mushrooms, bacteria).

Invasive species

Non-native species that disrupts ecosystems by outcompeting native species and causing harm.

Keystone species

A species with a disproportionately large impact on ecosystem health; its presence helps keep the ecosystem functioning.

Sea otter

A keystone species that eats sea urchins, helping protect kelp forests.

Kelp forest

An underwater ecosystem dominated by large kelp plants, providing habitat and food for many marine species; its health is linked to keystone interactions (e.g., sea otter keeping urchin numbers in check).