B7 - Ecology Flashcards
What is an ecosystem?
The interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic) with the non-living (abiotic) parts of their surroundings.
What is a population?
All the organisms of one species living in a habitat.
The total number of one living species in an ecosystem.
What is a community?
The populations of different species living in a habitat.
The total number of all species.
What is a habitat?
The place where an organism lives.
What does self-supporting ecosystem mean?
Everything the animals and plants need to survive is available.
Explain how living organisms are interdependent
Interdependence = all organisms in an ecosystem rely on each other.
Predators rely on prey to survive because they have to eat them for energy. Animals also rely on plants for oxygen.
What are some examples of biotic factors?
- New predators arriving
- New pathogens
- Availability of food
What are some examples of abiotic factors?
- Temperature
- Soil pH and mineral content
- Moisture level
- Light intensity
- Wind intensity and direction
- Carbon dioxide level (for plants)
- Oxygen level (for aquatic animals)
