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Ecology

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Biotic

Living components of an ecosystem.

Abiotic

Non-living components of an ecosystem.

Species

A group of similar organisms.

Population

A group of organisms that live in the same area at the same time.

Community

Populations of different species that live and interact.

Ecosystem

A community plus its abiotic components.

Landscape

Several interacting ecosystems.

Biosphere

The Earth.

Photosynthesis Equation

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O.

Cellular respiration Equation

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy.

Producers

Organisms that produce their own food, starting the food chain.

Primary consumers

Organisms that consume producers.

Secondary consumers

Organisms that consume primary consumers.

Tertiary consumers

Organisms that consume secondary consumers.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organic material.

Pyramid of Biomass

Total biomass at each trophic level.

Gross Primary Productivity

Total amount of energy that plants capture and assimilate in a period of time.

Net Primary Productivity

Rate at which organic material is converted into plant tissue for growth.

GPP - cellular respiration = NPP

Formula for calculating Net Primary Productivity.

Symbiosis

Interaction between different species.

Mutualism

A type of symbiosis where both species benefit.

Commensalism

A type of symbiosis where one species benefits and the other is not affected.

Parasitism

A type of symbiosis where one species benefits at the expense of the other.

Carrying Capacity

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

Intraspecific competition

Competition between individuals of the same species.

Interspecific competition

Competition between individuals of different species.

Ecological Niche

All aspects of an organism's existence, including habitat, resources, and interactions.

Fundamental Niche

The potential mode of life of a species under ideal conditions.

Realized Niche

The actual mode of life of a species considering biotic and abiotic factors.

Competitive Exclusion

One species excludes another from a specific niche due to competition.

Resource Partitioning

Different species share the same resource without competition.

Keystone Species

Species that play a crucial role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community.

Eutrophication

Excess algal and plant growth due to nutrient runoff.

Taiga

Biomes characterized by cold temperatures and coniferous trees.

Temperate Rainforest

Biomes with high levels of rainfall and coniferous trees.

Tropical Rainforest

Biomes with consistent rainfall, high diversity, and large CO2 absorption.

Desert

Biomes characterized by extreme temperatures and limited precipitation.

Aquifer

Underground region that holds groundwater.

Drip Irrigation

An efficient irrigation method that delivers water directly to the plant roots.

Green Revolution

Mechanized and modernized agricultural practices that increased crop yields.

Clearcutting

Cutting down swaths of trees for lumber, often leading to environmental degradation.

Aquaculture

Farming fish in controlled environments.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that maintain soil health and reduce environmental impact.

Urbanization

The process of population shift from rural to urban areas.

Ecological Footprint

The measure of how much land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes.

Earth Overshoot Day

The date when humanity's demand for ecological resources exceeds what the planet can regenerate in that year.