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Ecology
The study of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment.
Individual
A single organism.
Population
A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.
Community
Different populations interacting in an area.
Ecosystem
A community and its physical environment (biotic + abiotic factors).
Biome
Large ecosystems defined by climate and dominant vegetation (e.g., desert, grassland).
Biosphere
All ecosystems on Earth.
Biotic Factors
Living components (plants, animals, microorganisms).
Abiotic Factors
Non-living components
Energy Flow
The transfer of energy through the trophic pyramid
Food Chains and Webs
Represent the flow of energy and nutrients through trophic levels.
Trophic Levels
Each step in the food chain (primary producers, consumers, decomposers).
Carbon Cycle
Movement of carbon through living organisms, the atmosphere, and the biosphere.
Nitrogen Cycle
Movement of nitrogen between air, soil, and organisms.
Adaptation
Traits that improve an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce.
Niche
The role or function an organism has in an ecosystem (habitat, diet, behavior).
Desert Biomes
Characterized by low rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation.
Hot Deserts
Deserts like the Sahara and Arabian Desert.
Cold Deserts
Deserts like the Gobi Desert.
Temperature in Deserts
Often extreme, fluctuates between day and night.
Water in Deserts
Scarce, a limiting factor in desert ecosystems.
Soil Composition in Deserts
Often poor in nutrients, high in salt in some areas.
Xerophytes
Plants adapted to dry environments (e.g., cacti).
Where do plants store water?
Succulents store water in their tissues.
Reduced Leaf Area
Adaptation to reduce water loss (e.g., spines instead of leaves).
Nocturnal Activity
Behavioral adaptation of animals to avoid daytime heat.
Physiological Adaptations
Efficient kidneys to conserve water, ability to store fat (e.g., camels).
Desert Food Web
Primary producers (cacti, shrubs) → Primary consumers (insects, rodents) → Secondary consumers (lizards, snakes).
Grassland Biomes
Characterized by moderate rainfall and dominated by grasses.
Tropical Grasslands
Found near the equator (e.g., African savanna).
Temperate Grasslands
Found in mid-latitudes (e.g., North American prairies).
Soil in Grasslands
Often rich and fertile, ideal for agriculture.
Fire in Grasslands
Naturally occurring fires maintain grasslands by controlling tree growth.
Water in Grasslands
Receives more rainfall than deserts but is still prone to droughts.
Deep Roots
Adaptation of grasses to access water and resist grazing.
Growth Resilience
Grasses can grow back quickly after being grazed or burned.
Grazing Herbivores
Large mammals like bison and zebras that graze on grasses.
Predators in Grasslands
Carnivores like lions and wolves that hunt herbivores.
Insects in Grasslands
Play a significant role in the ecosystem (e.g., grasshoppers).
Grassland Food Web
Grasses (primary producers) → Grazing herbivores (primary consumers) → Predators (secondary consumers) → Decomposers.
Agriculture
Grasslands are often converted for farming due to fertile soil.
Desertification
Overgrazing and climate change can degrade grasslands into desert-like conditions.
Rainfall in Deserts
Less than 250 mm/year.
Rainfall in Grasslands
25-75 cm/year.
Temperature in Grasslands
Moderate, with seasonal fluctuations.
Vegetation in Deserts
Sparse (cacti, shrubs).
Vegetation in Grasslands
Dense grasses, few trees.
Soil in Deserts
Sandy, poor in nutrients.
Soil in Grasslands
Rich, fertile.
Desert adaptations
Water conservation and nocturnal behavior.
Animal Adaptations in Grasslands
Grazing adaptations and social groups (herds).
Threats to Deserts
Climate change and water scarcity.
Threats to Grasslands
Overgrazing, conversion to farmland, and desertification.