Ecological Footprint, Biocapacity, and Biodiversity End of 3 to 4

Ecological Footprint

Area needed to support lifestyle and waste.

Biocapacity

Biosphere's ability to regenerate resources.

Biodiversity

Variety of life forms in an ecosystem.

Extant Species

Species currently existing on Earth.

Extinct Species

Species that no longer exist.

Taxonomy

Science of naming and classifying organisms.

Systematics

Study of evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Phylogenetic Trees

Diagrams showing evolutionary relationships.

Fossil Record

Historical evidence of life on Earth.

Mass Extinction

Event where a significant percentage of species disappear.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living environmental components affecting ecosystems.

Biotic Factors

Living components influencing ecosystem dynamics.

Carrying Capacity (K)

Maximum population size an environment can sustain.

Logistic Growth Curve

Population growth model considering environmental limits.

Density-Dependent Factors

Factors affected by population density.

Density-Independent Factors

Factors not influenced by population density.

Niche

Role of an organism in its ecosystem.

Population Density

Number of individuals per unit area.

Sex Ratio

Proportion of males to females in a population.

Age Structure

Distribution of individuals of different ages.

Natality

Birth rate in a population.

Mortality

Death rate in a population.

Immigration

Arrival of new individuals to a population.

Emigration

Departure of individuals from a population.

Rate of Natural Increase (r)

Change in population size over time.

Exponential Growth

Population growth without environmental limits.

Environmental Resistance

Factors limiting population growth.

Limiting Factors

Environmental conditions restricting population size.

Ecosystem

Community of living organisms and their environment.

Biome

Large ecological area with distinct climate and vegetation.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Forest characterized by seasonal leaf loss.

Tropical Rainforest

Ecosystem with the highest biodiversity.

Savanna

Grassland ecosystem with scattered trees.

Desert

Ecosystem with very low precipitation.

Tundra

Cold, treeless biome with permafrost.

Chaparral

Ecosystem characterized by drought-resistant shrubs.