Evology

Ecology

The study of how living things interact with each other and their environment.

Population

All members of one species living in the same area.

Community

All the different species living in one area.

Ecosystem

All the living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things in an area.

Biome

A large region with a specific climate and types of organisms (e.g., desert, rainforest, tundra).

Biotic factors

Living factors in an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals, bacteria).

Abiotic factors

Nonliving factors in an ecosystem (e.g., sunlight, water, temperature, soil).

Niche

The role an organism plays in its ecosystem (what it eats, where it lives, etc.).

Food chain

A diagram that shows one path of energy flow.

Food web

A diagram showing many interconnected food chains.

Arrows in a food chain

Show the direction of energy flow, from food to eater.

Producers

Organisms that make their own food (autotrophs, e.g., plants).

Consumers

Organisms that eat other organisms (heterotrophs).

Types of consumers

Herbivores (eats plants), Carnivores (eats animals), Omnivores (eats both), Decomposers (breaks down dead things), Scavengers (eats dead animals).

Trophic level

A level in a food chain/web (e.g., producer, primary consumer).

Energy movement in trophic levels

Energy decreases as it moves up trophic levels, with only about 10% being passed on.

Energy pyramid

A diagram showing that energy decreases at each level, with producers at the base (most energy) and top predators at the top (least energy).

Carrying capacity

The maximum population an environment can support.

Limiting factors

Things that limit population growth (e.g., food, water, space, predators).

Ecological succession

Natural changes in ecosystems over time (e.g., forest regrowing after fire).

Biodiversity

The variety of life in an area; more biodiversity = more stable ecosystem.

Stable ecosystem

An ecosystem with high biodiversity and balanced populations.

Invasive species

Non-native organisms that disrupt ecosystems by outcompeting native species.

Human activities that harm the environment

Pollution, deforestation, habitat destruction, burning fossil fuels, overhunting, introducing invasive species.

Global warming

Caused by too much CO₂ from burning fossil fuels, which traps heat (greenhouse effect).

Renewable resources

Resources that can be replaced (e.g., solar, wind, water).

Nonrenewable resources

Resources that are limited (e.g., coal, oil, gas).

Ways humans can help the environment

Recycle, conserve energy, plant trees, use clean energy, protect endangered species, reduce pollution.