Unit 2: Stability and Change in Populations and Ecosystems

Ecosystem

All the living AND nonliving things in an area

Energy Pyramid

A model showing how much energy is at each level of a food chain

Food Web

A model showing how different food chains connect together

Natural Disaster

A natural event that causes widespread damage

Population

All members of one species living together in the same place

Nutrient Loading

When people add nutrients to an ecosystem - this isn’t good

Dynamic Equilibrium

Balance between parts of an ecosystem

Eutrophication

When a body of water gains too many nutrients - this isn’t good

Ecological Succession

A series of slow changes over time where one ecosystem is replaced by another one

Climax Community

A stable community that no longer goes through major ecological changes

Species

A group of organisms that have similar traits and are able to produce fertile offspring

Primary Succession

Starting a new ecosystem on bare rock where there’s no soil yet

Pioneer Species

The first living thinks to move into a new area

Secondary Succession

Natural Changes that happen in an area where soil is left behind after plants and animals are removed

Biodiversity

The variety and number of different living things in an area

Genetic Diversity

The variety of genes or inherited traits that are present

Species Diversity

The number of different species and how many of each live in a community

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of ecosystems on Earth

Biodiversity Index

A way to measure how many different species are in one place

Resilience

An ecosystem’s ability to stay balanced even when disturbed

Sustainable Ecosystem

An ecosystem that stays healthy and diverse on its own without help