B15-Ecology Flashcards
Define habitat
The part of an ecosysytem where an organism lives.
Define species
Group of organisms that can breed together to produce fertile offspring.
Define population
Organisms of the same species that share a particular habitat.
Define community
Made up of all the organisms that share a particular habitat.
Define competition
Describes the fact that organisms often need the same resources.
Define interdependence
Describes how organisms rely on and impact each other.
Biotic factors
Other living things that can affect a particular population, e.g. a new pathogen or parasite.
Abiotic factors
Non-living things that can affect a particular population, e.g. light intensity.
Give three examples of biotic factors
New pathogens/parasites
Food availability
New predators
Interspecific competition
Give three examples of abiotic factors
Light intensity Temperature Moisture levels Soil pH and mineral content Wind intensity and direction Oxygen availability Carbon dioxide availability
What resources do animals compete for?
Food, territories, mates
What resources do plants compete for?
Light, space, water, mineral ions from soil
