Unit 7- Ecological Principles Vocab

Algal Bloom

Rapid increase of algae in water due to excess nutrients (often from fertilizer runoff), which can reduce oxygen and kill aquatic life.

Bioaccumulation

Buildup of harmful substances (like mercury or pesticides) in an organism over time.

Biological Magnification

Increase in concentration of toxins (like DDT) as they move up the food chain.

Biomass

Total mass of living organisms in a given area or ecosystem.

Carbon Sink

A natural system (like forests or oceans) that absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide than it releases.

Carrying Capacity (k)

The maximum number of individuals in a population that an environment can support.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Humanmade gases once used in aerosols and refrigerants that damage the ozone layer.

Climate Change

Long term change in Earth's climate, mostly due to increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activity.

Community

All the different species living and interacting in the same area.

Commensalism

A type of symbiosis where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Consumer

An organism that eats other organisms for energy (also called a heterotroph).

Decomposer

Organism (like fungi or bacteria) that breaks down dead matter and recycles nutrients into the ecosystem.

Eutrophication

Over enrichment of water with nutrients, causing algal blooms and oxygen loss.

Exponential Growth (J curve)

Rapid population increase under ideal conditions, forming a 'J' shape on a graph.

Fossil Fuels

Energy sources (coal, oil, natural gas) formed from ancient plants and animals; burn to release CO₂.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases like CO₂, methane, and water vapor that trap heat in Earth's atmosphere.

Invasive Species

Non native species that spread quickly and harm native ecosystems.

Limiting Factor

A resource or condition (like food, space, or water) that controls the growth of a population.

Logistical Growth (S curve)

Population growth that slows as it nears carrying capacity, forming an 'S' shape.

Mitigation

Actions taken to reduce or slow down environmental damage (like planting trees or reducing emissions).

Mutualism

A type of symbiosis where both species benefit (like bees and flowers).

Niche

The role or job of a species in its ecosystem, including how it gets food and interacts with others.

Nitrogen Fixation

Process where bacteria convert nitrogen gas from the air into a form plants can use.

Non Native Species

A species introduced to an area where it doesn't naturally occur (can be harmful or harmless).

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits (the parasite) and the other is harmed (the host).

Population

All the individuals of one species living in a specific area.

Predator

An organism that hunts and eats other organisms.

Prey

The organism that gets hunted and eaten.

Producer

An organism (like a plant or algae) that makes its own food through photosynthesis.

Symbiosis

A close relationship between two species that live together, which may help, harm, or not affect one another.

Trophic Levels

Levels in a food chain showing who eats whom (e.g., producers, primary consumers, etc.).