Chapter 1 Flashcards
Ecology
The study of how organisms interact with their environment
Biome
Large geographic areas with similar climates & ecosystems
Ecosystem
A system consisting of all of the interactions that occur between the abiotic & biotic factors within an environment
Climate
The long term average temperature & rainfall that occur in a particular region
Ecological Succession
Transition of species present in a community in an area virtually barren of life, or after a disturbance
Primary Succession
Series of changes that occur in an area where NO ecosystem previously existed
Secondary
Series of changes that occur after a disturbance in an existing ecosystem
Pioneer species
Organisms that do not need soil to survive; they start the soil building process (lichen & moss)
Climax community
A relatively stable succession, or the end product of succession
Limiting factor
A factor that limits the ability of a habitat to sustain a population
Biodiversity
The number of different species of plants & animals in an area
Sustainability
Able to last or continue for a long time
Adaptation
An inherited trait that increases an organism’s chance of surviving & reproducing in a particular environment
Habitat
A place where an organism naturally lives & grows
Microhabitat
A very small specialized habitat, such as the Space under a rock
