Chapter 18 Flashcards
Abiotic Factors
A non living component of an ecosystem, such as air, water, light, minerals or temperature.
Acclimation
Physiological adjustment that occurs gradually, though still reversibly, in response to an environmental change.
Aphotic Zone
The region of an aquatic ecosystem beneath the photic zone, where light levels are too low for photosynthesis to take place.
Benthic Realm
A seafloor or the bottom of a freshwater lake, pond, river or stream. The benthic realm is occupied by communities of organisms known as benthos.
Biome
A major terrestrial or aquatic life zone, characterized by vegetation type in terrestrial biomes or the physical environment in aquatic biomes.
Biosphere
The global ecosystem; the entire portion of Earth inhabited by life; all of life and where it lives.
Biotic Factors
A living component of a biological community; any organism that is part of an individual’s environment.
Carbon Footprint
The amount of greenhouse gas emitted as a result of the actions of a person, nation or other entity.
Chaparral
A terrestrial biome limited to coastal regions where cold ocean currents circulate offshore, creating mild, rainy winters and long, hot, dry summers. Also known as the mediterranean biome.
Community
All the organisms inhabiting and potentially interacting in a particular area; an assemblage of populations of different species.
Community Ecology
The study of how interactions between species affect community structure and organization.
Temperate Broadleaf Forests
A terrestrial biome located throughout mid latitude regions where there is sufficient moisture to support the growth of large, broadleaf deciduous trees.
Temperate Grasslands
A terrestrial biome located in the temperate zone characterized by low rainfall and nonwoody vegetation. Tree growth is hindered by occasional fires and periodic severe drought.
