ecological terms Flashcards
What is an ecosystem
All of the living and non living organisms in an area
What is an environment
All of the conditions that surround any living organisms
What is a population
All the members of a SINGLE species that live in an area or the number of organisms of a species in a habitat
What is a species
A type of organism that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
What is a habitat
The enviroment where a species or organism lives.
What is a community
A group of populations living and interacting together
What is ecology
The study of relationships between living organisms and their enviroment
Abiotic factors
light intensity, temperature, moisture levels, soild ph levels, soil mineral content, wind intensity and directions, carbon dioxide levels for plants, oxygen levels for aquatic animals.
biotic factors
availability of food, presence of new predators and pathogens
what are decomposers (food chains)
bacteria and fungi which break down dead organisms. by releasing enzymes onto the dead matter and then consuming the broken down substances.
when organisms die and decompose plants absorb the broken down nutrients through their roots
