Ch.22: Communities & Ecosystem Dynamics Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from Chapter 22 on Communities and Ecosystem Dynamics.

Habitat

An area with a particular physical and biological environmental factors that affect which organisms can live in it

tolerance

A variety of environmental conditions within which it can survive and reproduce

niche

Where an organism lives and what it does

resource

A necessity of life

competitive exclusion principle

No two species can occupy exactly the same niche at exactly the same time

keystone species

Species that plays a vital and unique role in maintaining structure, stability and diversity in an ecosystem

symbiosis

Close interdependent relationship between two species

commensalism

A relationship in which one organism is helped and the other isn't helped or harmed

Mutualism

A relationship in between two species in which both benefit

Parasitism

A relationship in which one organism lives inside or on another organism and harms it

ecological succession

Series of somewhat predictable events that occur in a community over time

primary succession

Succession that begins on rock, with no remnants of previous community (eg after volcanic eruption)

pioneer species

First species to colonize barren areas

secondary succession

Succession that begins when a disturbance disrupts a community but doesn't completely destroy it (eg flood, wildfire)

Biodiversity

Total of all genetically based variation in all organisms in an environment

ecosystem Diversity

Variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes

species diversity

Number of different species

genetic diversity

Total of all different forms of genes

Resilience

Ability of a natural or human system to recover after a disturbance

ecosystem services

Vital benefits for humans (eg cycling nutrients, purifying water, etc)

conservation biology

A field of study that focuses on preserving and protecting natural resources.