Ecological Concepts and Climate Change

These flashcards cover key concepts from ecology, competition, climate change, and environmental science.

Ecological Niche

The role and position a species has in its environment.

Niche Overlap

Situation where different species share a similar ecological niche.

Intraspecific Competition

Competition between individuals of the same species.

Interspecific Competition

Competition between individuals of different species.

Symmetric Competition

Competition where one species does not have a clear advantage over another.

Asymmetric Competition

Competition where one species has a significant advantage over another.

Competitive Exclusion

The principle that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist.

Realized Niche

The actual conditions and resources in which a species exists.

Fundamental Niche

The full range of conditions under which a species can survive and reproduce.

Mutualistic Interactions

Interactions where both species benefit.

Rhizobium Bacteria

Bacteria that fix nitrogen in the soil, forming mutualistic relationships with legumes.

Mycorrhizal Fungi

Fungi that form beneficial relationships with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake.

Phototrophic Organisms

Organisms that can carry out photosynthesis.

Trophic Omnivores

Organisms that consume at multiple trophic levels.

Direct Effects

Those interactions that occur as a direct response to a species' presence in a food web.

Indirect Effects

Effects that occur as a consequence of direct interactions between species.

Trophic Cascade

A process where changes in one trophic level cause changes in another trophic level.

Energy Flow

The transfer of energy through a food chain.

Primary Producers

Organisms that produce biomass from photosynthesis.

Net Primary Production

The amount of organic matter remaining after autotrophs have respired.

Gross Primary Production

The total amount of organic matter produced by photosynthesis.

Detritus

Dead organic material.

Detritivores

Organisms that feed on detritus.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead material into simpler substances.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy.

Climate Change

Long-term changes in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

Phenology

The study of periodic biological events in relation to climate.

Long-Term Carbon Cycling

The movement of carbon among the atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, and geosphere over geological time scales.

Short-Term Carbon Cycling

The movement of carbon through living organisms and the atmosphere on a human timescale.

Nitrogen Fixation

The process of converting nitrogen gas into ammonia, which can be used by plants.

Denitrification

The conversion of nitrates back into nitrogen gas.

Keystone Species

Species that have a disproportionately large effect on their environment relative to their abundance.

Dominant Species

Species that are most abundant or have the most biomass in a community.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Eutrophication

The process by which nutrient run-off causes excessive algae growth in bodies of water.

Global Warming

The long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat.

Atmospheric CO2 Concentration

The amount of carbon dioxide present in the Earth's atmosphere.

Climate Literacy

Understanding of climate science and its effects on the environment.

Renewable Energy

Energy from sources that are naturally replenished.

Carbon Sequestration

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Fossil Fuels

Natural fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.

Agricultural Run-Off

Water from rain or irrigation that washes over farm fields, carrying nutrients into waterways.

Ecosystem Engineers

Species that create, modify, or maintain habitats.

Adaptive Plasticity

The ability of organisms to change their behavior or morphology in response to environmental changes.

Forest Decomposition Rate

The speed at which organic materials break down in forest ecosystems.

Soil Nutrients

Essential minerals and compounds that are necessary for plant growth.

Acidic Ocean

The decreased pH of ocean waters due to absorption of CO2.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans.

Ecosystem Dynamics

The patterns and processes of change within ecosystems.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic photosynthetic organisms found in aquatic environments.

Photosynthesis Reaction Inputs

Carbon dioxide and water, which are converted into glucose and oxygen.

Environmental Filters

Factors that affect the survival and reproduction of species in a habitat.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of toxic substances within each successive link in the food chain.

Microbial Loop

A key component of the marine food web, involving microbial consumption of organic materials.

Species Extinction Rate

The rate at which species become extinct.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Regions that are both rich in biodiversity and threatened by human activity.

Cultural Eutrophication

The enrichment of water bodies with nutrients due to human activities.

Primary Succession

The series of community changes occurring on a previously uninhabited terrain.

Secondary Succession

The series of community changes occurring on a previously occupied but disturbed habitat.

Biogeochemical Cycles

The natural pathways by which essential nutrients circulate through the environment.

Nutrient Limitation

A condition where the growth of an organism is limited by the available nutrients.

Zooplankton

Small aquatic animals that feed on phytoplankton.

Trophic Levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems.

Sustainable Practices

Methods of using resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising future generations.

Genetic Diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

Population Dynamics

The study of how populations change in size and structure over time.

Climatic Zones

Regions of the Earth defined by similar climatic conditions.

Volcanic Eruptions

Explosions caused by the release of magma, gases, and other materials from the Earth's crust.

El Niño Phenomenon

A periodic fluctuation in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric conditions in the Pacific Ocean.

Biodiversity Conservation

Efforts to protect and preserve the variety of life on Earth.

Phenotypic Plasticity

The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to environmental changes.

Ecosystem Resilience

The capacity of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances.

Climate Treaty

International agreements aimed at tackling climate change.

Coral Reefs

Diverse marine ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals.

Atmospheric Circulation

Large-scale movement of air that regulates weather and climate patterns.

Ice Core Data

Historical climate data obtained from cylindrical sections of ice.

Global Warming Potential

A measure of how much a given mass of greenhouse gas is estimated to contribute to global warming.

Climate Mitigation

Efforts to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases.

Climate Adaptation

Adjustment in behaviors, processes, and structures to reduce damage from climate change.

Food Security

A condition in which all people have, at all times, physical and economic access to sufficient food.

Ecosystem Integrity

The ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure and function.

Nutrient Cycles

The pathways by which essential nutrients move through the environment.

Agricultural Practices

Methods and techniques used in farming to produce crops.

Extreme Weather Events

Severe or unusual weather patterns, including storms, droughts, and floods.

Wildlife Habitat Preservation

Efforts to conserve natural habitats critical for animal and plant species.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that maintain the health of the land and ecosystem.

Risk Assessment

The process of evaluating risks to health, property, and the environment.

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to support human activities.

Urban Heat Island Effect

Urban areas being warmer than their rural surroundings due to human activities.

Carbon Capture Technology

Techniques for capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Renewable Resource Management

The responsible use and management of renewable resources.

Carbon Neutrality

Balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal or offsetting.

Climate Science Education

Teaching and learning about climate change and its effects.

Ocean Acidification

The decrease in pH of ocean waters due to increased CO2 levels.

Fungi's Role in Ecosystems

Fungi decompose organic matter and recycling nutrients.

Influence of Tourism on Biodiversity

The effect that travel and tourism have on natural ecosystems.

Ecosystem Monitoring

Tracking changes in an ecosystem over time to assess its health.

Land Use Planning

The process of managing land development in relation to conservation and ecological health.