ecosystem

Ecology

Study of inter-relationships between organisms and their environment

Habitat

Place where organisms live with specific physical conditions

Adaptation

Organisms' ways to survive in their habitat

Population

Group of same species in a habitat

Community

All populations of different species in a habitat

Ecosystem

Natural unit of living + non-living components interacting

Biome

Large geographical area with dominant plant type

Biosphere

Entire space on Earth's surface with organisms

Cycling of Materials

Elements cycled through ecosystem processes

Interactions in Ecosystem

Organisms interact with each other and the environment

Energy Flow

Continuous input of energy into the ecosystem

Freshwater Streams

Hilly landscape with many hill streams in HK

Mangroves

Found in sheltered shores in HK

Woodlands

Mainly in country parks in HK

Grasslands

Cover many hillsides in HK

Rocky Shores

Marine coastal areas with large rocks

Species

Organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

Major Types of Ecosystems in HK

Include freshwater streams, mangroves, woodlands, grasslands, rocky shores

Autotrophic Nutrition

Conversion of inorganic materials to organic matter by organisms

Competition

Relationship where organisms compete for resources

Energy Absorption

Sun's energy absorbed by photosynthesis to build organic matter

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components of an ecosystem

Biotic community

Consists of living organisms in an ecosystem

Abiotic factors

Non-living factors influencing populations and adaptations

Temperature

Affects distribution, behavior, and enzyme activity

Light intensity

Impacts photosynthesis rate in plants

Diurnal animals

Active during the day

Nocturnal animals

Active at night, develop night vision

Rainfall and humidity

Influence water availability and conservation in organisms

Wind speed and water current

Affect soil erosion, plant stability, and animal mobility

Oxygen level

Impacted by temperature, water flow, and organic matter presence

Salinity

Concentration of dissolved salts in water

Nature of substratum

Material organisms grow on, affecting nutrients and water availability

Humus

Nutrient-rich product of organic matter decomposition

Woodland ecosystem

Varied light and temperature, with soil erosion prevention

Coastal ecosystem

Found in intertidal zones, with rocky shores and mangroves

Rocky shores

Exposed to strong waves, divided into zones with specific organisms

Freshwater ecosystem

Includes hill streams with varying oxygen levels and substratum sizes

Niche

The role an organism plays in its environment, determined by temperature, food type, and space

Species Diversity

Variety of organisms in a community; species richness + relative abundance

Dominant Species

Common species exerting strong influence in a community

Predation

Interaction where one species hunts, captures, and kills another for food

Interspecific Competition

Competition among organisms of different species for resources

Intraspecific Competition

Competition among organisms of the same species with similar needs

Commensalism

Symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits without affecting the other

Mutualism

Symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit

Parasitism

Relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of harming another