Top Predator (Ecology) Review

Flashcards about Ecology Review

Photosynthesis

The process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into glucose.

Cellular Respiration

The process that breaks down glucose and releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

10% Rule

The rule that states that when energy flows through an ecosystem from one trophic level to the next, only about 10% of the energy is transferred.

Biodiversity

The variety within and among life forms that are on a site, ecosystem, or landscape.

Richness

The number of different species present in a given area.

Evenness

The relative abundance of different species within a community.

Species Richness

The component of biodiversity that is dependent upon the number of species.

Invasive Species

Non-native species which throw off all aspects of an ecosystem.

Parasitism

A relationship where one organism benefits by living in another organism, their host, which is then harmed by the relationship.

Commensalism

A relationship where one organism is benefited and the other organism is neutral, not helped nor harmed.

Mutualism

A relationship that occurs between two organisms, in which both organisms benefit.

Organism

A unit of life which is able to function independently.

Population

The total species that reside within a particular area or environment, and they usually belong to the same species.

Community

A group of people or species that live in the same place, or that have certain characteristics in common.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms that interact with each other in a physical environment.

Biome

A large geographic area which is categorized and defined based on its inhabitants, climate, and location.

Biosphere

The region on Earth in which all living organisms exist and interact in their respective environments.

Logistic Growth Model

Describes how a population's growth rate slows down as it approaches carrying capacity due to limited resources.

Provisioning Services

Anything that the ecosystem provides for us and we use for survival.

Regulating Services

Natural services which allow nature to resist or fix temporary problems, protecting humans from difficulties.

Cultural Services

Services in nature which provide recreational or emotional benefits to humans.

Supporting Services

Services from the ecosystem that support other processes within nature.

Primary Succession

When life is created in an area where there was no life prior.

Secondary Succession

The process in re-stabilization following a disturbance in an area where life formed an ecosystem.