Untitled Flashcards Set

Food Web

A system of interrelated food chains in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem Disruption

An interruption or change in an ecosystem's structure or function, often caused by population changes, natural disasters, or human activities.

Population Change

Alterations in the number of individuals in a population, influenced by factors such as migration, birth rates, and death rates.

Energy Transfer

The movement of energy through a food web, from one organism to another.

Keystone Species

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread rapidly in a new environment and disrupt local ecosystems.

Primary Succession

The process of ecological change on surfaces where no soil exists, often following a volcanic eruption or glacier retreat.

Secondary Succession

The process of ecological change in an area where an ecosystem has been disturbed but soil and organisms still exist.

Biodiversity

The variety and variability of life forms within a given ecosystem, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

Predator-Prey Relationship

The dynamic between predators, which hunt for food, and their prey, which are hunted.

Natural Disasters

Extreme natural events (e.g., floods, hurricanes, wildfires) that can significantly affect ecosystems.

Environmental Changes

Alterations in environmental conditions, often affecting population dynamics and ecosystem functionality.

Chemicals in Ecosystems

Substances, like fertilizers and pesticides, that can disrupt food webs by impacting species populations.

Ecosystem Stability

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

Sustainability

The capacity of an ecosystem to endure and maintain ecological balance over time.

Pioneer Species

Organisms, such as mosses and lichens, that first colonize barren environments and begin the process of ecological succession.