ecology definitions

biosphere

All places on earth that support life.

Ecosystem

The interaction between a group of organisms and The environment in a specific area.

Biodiversity

The variety of living things in An area

Carrying capacity

Maximum population an ecosystem can handle.

Population

Group of organisms of the same species living in the same area

Community

All the different populations that live in one area.

Abiotic factors

Non-living features of an ecosystem that affects organisms.

E.g. water, oxygen and temperature.

How does temperature effect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?

All organisms are adapted to survive in a narrow range of temperature.

Biotic factors

Living factors of an ecosystem that affects organisms

Predation

The hunting killing and consuming of organisms by a predator

Predator

An organism that hunts kills and eats other organisms

Prey

An organism that is eaten by a predator

Population dynamics

The study of changes in population size and the factors that control them

Intraspecifc

Competition Between members of the same species

Interspecific

Competition Between members of different species

Symbiosis

A relationship between two organisms of different species in which at least one benefits from it

Mutualism

Symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit. E.g. fungi and algae.

Commonsalism

One benefits and the other unaffected. E.g. Cattle, stir up insects as they graze then egrets eat the insects.

Parasitism

Where 1 organism benefits and the other is harmed. E.g. yellow rattle plant and grass.

Population curve

Shows how size of a population varies overtime depending on limiting factors

S population curve

A graph modelling the growth pattern of a population in a resource Limited environment

J Population curve

Graph modelling growth pattern in an environment with unlimited resources

Deforestation

Large scale removal of trees for non-forestry reasons

Pollution

Any harmful edition to the environment E.g. contaminants to water, Air or soil

Domestic pollution

Caused by emissions from private homes and cars

Agricultural pollution

Caused by waste products from farms like slurry and fertiliser entering rivers

Industrial pollution

Pollution caused by emission and waste from factories

Conservation

Wise management of earths resources to protect against and recover from human activities

Sustainability

Wise managementof earths resources to Ensure that all species can coexist into the future

Lag phase (S/J)

Initially population growth is slow

Exponential growth phase (S/J)

Population growth is fast as there are few or no limiting factors.

Transitional phase (S)

As population grows, competition between organisms for limiting factors increase and growth slows

Plateau Phase (S)

Carrying capacity reached, population growth is stable and changes in limiting factors only cause small fluctuations.

Crash phase (J)

It overshoots carrying capacity until limiting factor is encountered leading to a sudden rapid crash in population.

1st trophic level

Producer

2nd trophic level

Primary consumer

3rd trophic level

Secondary consumer

4th trophic level

Tertiary consumer