Chapter 3: Ecosystem Classification & Relationships Flashcards
What is ecology?
The study of the interactions of organisms with their physical environment and with other organisms
What is an ecosystem?
A self-sustaining unit made up of a community of organisms in an area, the physical environment they live in, and the interactions between them
What is a habitat?
An area or environment within an ecosystem where an individual of a species lives, feeds and reproduces.
How can ecosystems be classified?
- With abiotic factors (climate, rainfall, temperature)
- With biotic factors (The dominant species that lives there eg. Mangrove forest)
What is competition?
An interaction between living things that occurs when compete for a limited resource
What is collaboration?
When organisms work together to benifit all. Can be inter or intraspecific
What is predation?
When one organism eats another for food
What is symbiosis, and name the 3 types?
A relationship between individuals of 2 or more species that is benifitial to at least one species.
- Parasitism
- Commensalism
- Mutualism
What is parasitism?
Symbiotic relationship where one species benifits at the expense of the other. eg heartworm
What is mutualism?
A symbiotic relationship where both species benifit, and neither is harmed. eg birds eating ticks of an elephant
What is commensalism?
A symbiotic relationship where one species benifits and the other neither benifits or is harmed. eg barnacles on a whale
