Ecological Principles and Ecosystem Management

A comprehensive vocabulary review set covering ecological levels, biomes, biogeochemical nutrient cycles, ecological interactions, succession, and ecosystem management principles.

Ecology

The study of the relationship between an organism and its environment, involving the scientific study of interactions determining the distribution and abundance of organisms.

Biosphere

The sum of the surfaces, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the earth which is occupied by living organisms.

Atmosphere

Gases surrounding the earth, from the surface to space.

Hydrosphere

All the bodies of water on the earth.

Lithosphere

The solid, outer part of the earth.

Biomes

Large, naturally occurring ecological levels occupying a major habitat, including aquatic, forest, grassland, and wetland biomes.

Freshwater

An aquatic biome defined by a very low concentration of salt, less than $0.5\,ppt$ salinity, which includes ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers.

Marine

An aquatic biome defined by a high concentration of salt, typically $30\text{ to }50\,ppt$ salinity, which includes oceans and seas.

Brackish

Water defined by a mixture of freshwater and saltwater, typically $0.5\text{ to }30\,ppt$ salinity, including estuaries.

Parts Per Thousand (ppt)

A unit expressing a ratio of a solute in a solution.

Bogs

A type of wetland which accumulates dead plant material.

Fens

A type of wetland with grasses and mineral-rich water.

Marshes

A type of wetland dominated by emergent vegetation.

Swamps

A type of wetland dominated by trees.

Ecosystem

The ecological level where biotic and abiotic elements interact within a biome, and the flow of energy and chemical materials occurs.

Biotic

Any living organism.

Abiotic

Non-living factors within an environment.

Topography

The physical shape and features of the land's surface.

Community

The assemblage of different populations of flora and fauna species in an area.

Flora

Plants found in an area.

Fauna

Animals found in an area.

Populations

Groups of organisms of the same species occupying a particular space at the same time.

Organism

Individual members of a population.

Producers

Organisms which produce food or biomass through the process of photosynthesis.

Biomass

The total mass of living organisms in a given area, often used as a source of food or energy.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and algae convert sunlight to sugar, creating plant tissue from carbon dioxide and water.

Algae

Aquatic organisms without true roots, stems, or leaves.

Cellular Respiration

A process that uses oxygen to break down glucose and release energy, producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

Consumers

Organisms which obtain food and energy through the consumption of other organisms.

Primary Consumers

Herbivores which consume only plants.

Secondary Consumers

Omnivores which consume plants and animals, or carnivores which consume only animals.

Detritivores

Consumers that consume decayed plants and animals.

Habitat

Any part of the earth suitable to support a species permanently or temporarily for migratory species.

Fitness

Reproductive success.

Niche

Describes how organisms match specific environmental conditions and respond to distribution of resources and competitors.

Mutualism

An ecological interaction when two species benefit from each other.

Commensalism

An ecological interaction when one species benefits while another is unaffected.

Competition

The struggle between two organisms for the same resource, such as food, space, or mates.

Predation

An interaction when one species kills another for food.

Nutrient Cycling

The exchange or conversion of nutrients from one form to another through biological and chemical processes.

Nutrient

A chemical substance required by an organism for growth, reproduction, and maintenance.

Evaporation

The transformation of water into gas.

Transpiration

Occurs when plants release water vapor.

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water throughout the biosphere, also known as the hydrologic cycle.

Oxygen Cycle

The continuous movement of oxygen throughout the biosphere.

Nitrogen Cycle

The continuous movement of nitrogen among the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

Carbon Cycle

The continuous movement of carbon throughout the biosphere.

Phosphorus Cycle

The continuous movement of phosphorus throughout the biosphere.

Organic

Relating to or derived from living organisms.

Food Chain

A linear representation which shows the flow of energy from one organism to another.

Food Web

Consists of many food chains interacting with one another in a community.

Ecological Succession

The process by which ecosystems advance toward a climax community through development of stages over time.

Climax Community

The development of vegetation in a community to a steady state over a period of time.

Species Diversity

The variety of different species present within a community or ecosystem.

Dominance

A species or group of species which has the greatest influence on the community.

Relative Abundance

The proportion of individuals of each species compared to the total number of individuals in the community.

Trophic Structure

The organization of an ecosystem into feeding levels, such as producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Primary Succession

Succession that starts when rock is exposed from a geological or natural disturbance.

Secondary Succession

Succession that occurs on fertile, open soil where other communities once thrived.

Erosion

The process where natural forces, such as wind and water, wear away rock and soil and move them to new places.

Lichens

Small, moss-like organisms formed by a fungus and algae or cyanobacteria living together.

Pioneer Species

Lichens, such as fungi, algae, and cyanobacteria, which begin colonization of exposed rock or disturbed land.

Fertile

Capable of supporting plant growth due to rich nutrients in the soil.

Ecosystem Management

The effort by humans to manage organisms and their environments.

Conservation Biology

A field established in $1978$ which focuses on conserving biodiversity through ecosystem management and other areas of conservation genetics.

Clean Water Act of 1972

A landmark federal regulation passed in $1972$ to safeguard natural water habitats from pollution.

Clean Air Act of 1963

A federal regulation established in $1963$ to control air pollution and safeguard natural habitats.

Emissions

Substances, such as gases or pollutants, released into the air.

Timber

Trees or wood.

Fisheries

Geographic areas where populations of fish are harvested for commercial and recreational use.

Harvested

Caught, removed, or extracted.

Domesticated

Plants, animals, or other living organisms tamed or bred by humans.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Federal agency with authority to manage migratory birds, marine fish, and endangered species under federal statutes and treaties such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a federal agency that regulates and monitors marine resources and enforces federal laws.

Sustainability

The act of responsibly using and conserving resources in a way which supports long-term ecological balance.

Landscape

Visible features of an area of land, including its physical layout and natural elements.

Management Plan

Strategies to guide sustainable use of ecosystems and their components, such as wildlife populations and ecosystem goods.