Untitled Flashcards Set

Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other in an environment.

A system formed by the interaction of a group of organisms (biotic) with their environment (abiotic)

Terrestrial ecosystems are on land 

Aquatic ecosystems are in water 

Can be very big or very small Ex: the whole forest, or a log in the forest 

The whole ocean, or a coral reef

Biotic factors: living things: algae, moss, shark, fungus

Abiotic factors: Non living things: rocks, soil, air, water, sun, tempchar, wind, oxygen, carbon dioxide

Symbiotic relationships (symbiosis)

Interactions between two organisms where at least one benefits 

Mutualism - both organisms benefit EX: alligator gets its teeth clean and bird get free food

Predation - (predator + prey) one gets to get (predator) one is eaten (prey)

Competition - both want the same resource EX: food, habitat, water, mate.

Biotic - abiotic interactions 

-water (terrestrial) 

Dry seasons can negatively impact plants and animals. 

- oxygen (aquatic) 

- lack of oxygen due to human activity suffocates fish 

- soil Erosion 

- changing landscapes causing soil erosion makes it difficult for plants to grow.

Sustainable ecosystems 

A set of ecosystem conditions EX: resources, environment, biodiversity

In which balance is maintained over time 

Sustainability - the ability to maintain ecological balance over time.  

Why is the cycle of matter important?

Because there are only limited amounts of resources available on earth, they must be recycled to ensure sustainability. 

Earth's four spheres 

Lithosphere - hardest part of the earth's surface 

Hydrosphere - all the water found on earth 

Atmosphere - the layers of gases above earth's surface 

Biosphere - the regions of earth where living organisms exist 

Carbone cycles 

Photosynthesis - converts carbon dioxide into sugar 

Cellular respiration - converts sugar into carbon dioxide 

Decomposition - - break down components 

Extraction - mining for fossil fuels