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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
