Ecology Flashcards
Ecosystem
a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
Biotic Factor
living thing
Abiotic Factor
non living thing
Organism
life form
Species
class of individuals having some common characteristics or qualities
Population
amount of species
Community
inhabitants of a place
Habitat
natural enviornment of an organism
Natural Selection
survival of the
Evolution
development over tie
Producer
produces own food
Consumer
eats for energy
Primary consumer
organism that eats autotrophs
Secondary consumer
eat primary consumer
Tertiary consumer
Eats other consumers, top consumer
Herbivores
eats plants only
Carnivore
eats animals only
Omnivore
eats both plants and animals
Decomposers
decomposes organic material
Food Chain
series of organisms dependent on the next for food
Food Web
a system of food chains
Energy Pyramid
graphical flow of energy throughout organisms
Carbon Cycle
cycle of which carbon flows through the enviornment
Nitrogen Cycle
cycle of which nitrogen flows through the enviornment
Ecological Succession
gradual process by which ecosystems change and develop over time
Primary Succession
development of plant and animal life in an area without topsoil
Secondary Succession
series of community changes which take place on a previously colonized
Pioneer Species
species who colonize damaged ecosystems
Climax Community
final stage of succession
