Ecological Terms

Important terms commonly used under the topic of Ecology.

Ecological Energetics

The study of the flow of energy through ecosystems, including the transfer of energy between trophic levels.

Ecology

The study of interactions among organisms and their environment.

Synecology

The study of plants and animals which occur together in a particular habitat or community.

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Biosphere

All the earth’s ecosystems combined, including land, water, and atmosphere.

Biome

A large geographic biotic unit, characterized by specific climate conditions and distinct plant and animal communities.

Habitat

The natural environment in which a species or community of organisms lives.

Niche

The role or function of a species within its ecosystem

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in the same habitat, interacting with one another and their environment.

Community

A group of interacting populations of different species living in the same area.

Environment

The surrounding conditions, including living and non-living factors, that influence an organism's survival and development.

Biotic

Factors that are alive or were once alive, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, affecting ecosystems.

Abiotic

Non-living factors in an ecosystem, such as temperature, water, and minerals, that influence living organisms.

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, sharing common characteristics.

Food Chain

A series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food, illustrating energy flow in an ecosystem.

Food Web

A complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem, demonstrating how energy and nutrients circulate among various species.

Trophic Levels

The different stages in a food chain or food web, representing the flow of energy and nutrients from producers to various levels of consumers.

Producer

An organism that produces energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, typically plants or algae, and occupies the first trophic level in a food chain.

Consumer

An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms, including primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers, and plays a crucial role in the food web.

Primary Consumer

An organism that eats primary producers, typically herbivores, and occupies the second trophic level in a food chain.

Secondary Consumer

An organism that eats primary consumers, usually carnivores or omnivores, and occupies the third trophic level in a food chain.

Teritiary Consumer

An organism that eats secondary consumers, often carnivores, and occupies the fourth trophic level in a food chain.

Omnivore

An organism that eats both plants and animals

Vegetarian

An organism that primarily consumes plants and plant-based foods.

Predator

An organism that hunts and feeds on other organisms, typically referred to as prey.

Apex Predator

The top predator in an ecosystem, with no natural predators of its own.

Prey

An organism that is hunted and consumed by predators in an ecosystem.

Scavenger

An organism that feeds on dead or decaying organisms, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping to decompose matter.

Biological control

The use of natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to manage pest populations in agriculture and horticulture.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship between two species where both benefit from the interaction.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Predation

A biological interaction where one organism, the predator, kills and consumes another organism, the prey.

Saprophyte

An organism that obtains nutrients by feeding on dead or decaying organic matter

The Carbon Cycle

The circulation of carbon between the earth and the atmosphere via processes

Carbon Sequestration

The processes that remove carbon from the atmosphere

The Nitrogen Cycle

The circulation of nitrogen between the earth and the atmosphere via processes

Leeching

The washing out of soil nutrients

Nitrification

The conversion of ammonium compounds and nitrates to soil nitrates by nitrifying bacteria

Denitrification

The conversion of soil nitrates to atmospheric nitrogen by denitrifying bacteria

Nitrogen Fixation

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to soil nitrogen or plant protein

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down an organic remains, releasing their inorganic elements to the soil and air

Putrefacation

The decay of organic nitrogen into ammonia by saprophytes

Saprophytes

An organism that obtains nutrients by feeding on dead or decaying organic matter

Biodiversity

The variations in species, genetics and ecosystems of a region

Species Diversity

The variation in number and range of different species in a region

Genetic Diversity

The variations in the genetic makeup of different species in a region

Ecosystem Diversity

The variations in habitats of different species in a region

Conservation

The protection and management of species, habitats and ecosystems in order to maintain biodiversity

In-situ conservation

The practice of preserving species in their natural habitats to maintain the health of ecosystems and promote biodiversity

Ex-situ Conservation

The practice of preserving endangered or rare species outside of their natural habitats