Ecology Flashcards
Ecology
The study of how organisms interact with each other and affect and are effected by their environment
Ecosystem
Group of populations found within a given locality plus the non-living environment around them
Population
The total number of a single species of organisms found in a given ecosystem
Community
Populations that interact with each other in a particular ecosystem
Biosphere
The part of the Earth that includes all living things. Atmosphere, Lithosphere, and Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
GROUND
Hydrosphere
Water
Habitat
Where species live
Biotic
Living factors that are needed to sustain a habitat. (Food sources, predators)
Abiotic
Nonliving factors that are needed to sustain a habitat. (Weather, temperature, soil feature)
Niche
The role a species plays in a given ecosystem
Energy cycle
Food chain or webs. How energy is moved around.
Biogeochemical cycle
Water cycle, carbon cycle, etc.
Food chain
Look at book
Producers
Photosynthetic organisms
Primary consumers
Herivores
Secondary consumers
Feed on primary consumers
Trophic Levels
The levels of a pyramid in a food chain
Autotrophs
Produce their own food
Each trophic level is greater in…
Biomass (total mass of organisms) than the level above it
Second trophic level
the Second tier of the pyramid
Food web
A more correct and complicated depiction of a food chain
Hydrologic Cycle
Water cycle (see picture). Clouds, run off, transpiration, evaporation, rain, etc.
Greenhouse gas
a Gas that keeps heat in the atmosphere
Nitrogen fixing
Combining nitrogen with either hydrogen or oxygen mostly by nitrogen-fixing bacteria and lightning. produces ammonium (NH4+)
Nitrification
Further breaking down Ammonium into Nitrites or Nitrates. NO2- and NO3-
Nitrate
NO3
Volcanoes produce
Nitrogen compounds
Ammonification
The decomposition of dead plants and animals into ammonia NH3
Denitrification
Braking down Nitrates into Nitrogen
Fossil Fuels
Natural gas and stuff. When burned produce carbon
Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria form ammonium, ammonia, and nitrate and nitrites that plants can use. Then animals eat them. Denitrification releases nitrogen into the atmosphere which fixed. Animals also die and decompose back into ammonium.
Carbon Cycle
SEE PICTURE. Animals release CO2 that is burned in their body when the breathe and die and when fossil fuels are burned. Animals get Carbon by eating producers and other consumers.
Phosphorous Cycle
Mostly occurs from erosion and decomposition. Organisms use it in ATP and NADP.
Natality
Birth Rate
Mortality
Death rate