Ecology Lecture 1: Terms and Phrases

Ecology

Scientific study of the processes influencing the DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE of organisms, the study of the INTERACTIONS AMONG THESE OGRANISMS, and how organisms and their interactions lead to the transformation and FLUX OF ENERGY AND MATTER within ecosystems. It encompasses the relationships between living organisms and their environment.

Distribution

The arrangement of organisms across different habitats and regions in an ecosystem. Geographic area where individuals of a species are present.

Abundance

The total number of individuals of a species or population present in a specific area or ecosystem.

Environment

The surrounding conditions and influences affecting the life and development of organisms. This includes both biotic and abiotic factors.

Eutrophication

The process by which water bodies become enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.

Chlorophyll a

a green pigment crucial for photosynthesis in plants and algae.

Decomposition

The process by which organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter, typically by microorganisms, facilitating nutrient recycling in ecosystems.

Anoxic

referring to an environment lacking oxygen, often resulting in adverse effects on aquatic life.

Hypoxic

referring to a condition with low oxygen levels, particularly in aquatic environments.

Albedo

The measure of reflectivity of a surface, particularly in relation to sunlight. High albedo surfaces reflect more light, while low albedo surfaces absorb more.

Individual

A single organism or entity, often considered in ecological or biological contexts.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area and interacting with one another.

Community

A group of interacting organisms sharing a common environment and living together in a particular area.

Ecosystem

A biological community interacting with its physical environment, including living and non-living components.

Ecosphere

The global sum of all ecosystems, encompassing all living organisms and their interactions with the environment.

Adaption

The process by which organisms adjust to changes in their environment to enhance their survival and reproduction.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully, leading to evolutionary changes.

Consumer (Heterotroph)

An organism that cannot produce its own food and relies on consuming other organisms for nutrition.

Primary Producer

An organism that produces organic compounds from carbon dioxide through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, serving as a fundamental source of energy for consumers in the ecosystem.

Net Primary Production (NPP)

The total amount of organic matter produced by photosynthetic organisms after accounting for the respiration of those organisms. It represents the energy available to consumers in an ecosystem.

Nutrient Cycle

The natural process where essential chemical elements, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus are recycled and transferred between Earth’s abiotic and biotic components, ensuring their continuous availability for life.