ESS 2.1 - Ecology

systems

any set of interdependent components (parts), organised to create a functional whole

binomial name

2-word scientific name of a species, where the first word is the genus and the second word is the species

Dichotomous keys

a tool for identifying species that uses a series of questions or statements focused on narrowing down the species characteristics

Factors affecting population’s drstribution

• biotic - producers, consumers, decomposers + predation, herbivory, parasitism, mutualism, disease, competition

• abiotic - temperature, sunlight, water, pH, salinity

Niche

the ecological role of a species in an ecosystem and the range of conditions necessary for its survival

selective pressure

a process that affects biological diversity in an ecosystem, where species with helpful characteristics for survival in the local conditions will thrive and others without these characteristics may die

Predation

where one organism acts as the predator and feeds on another organism, called prey

herbivory

an interaction between species where organisms, usually animals, feed on plants

parasitism

an interaction between 2 species in which ones organism (parasite) gets the resources it needs from another (host), but may harm the host in process

mutualism

both species benefit and neither suffers

competition

an interaction where species compete for a resource that is limited supply (water, food, territory, habitat, etc.)

intraspecific - members of the same species

interspecific - members of different species compete for a resource that they both need

carrying capacity

the maximum population size of a species that can be sustainably supported

limited factors

A resource in the environment that can significantly affect a population's size if it becomes limited.

invasive species

Introduced species that are brought to a new area and may threaten the ecosystems or societies into which they are introduced.

j curve phases

1.