ecology definitions Flashcards
1
Q
ecosystem
A
the interaction of a community with the non-living (abiotic) parts of the environment
2
Q
community
A
when many different populations interact in the same habitat
3
Q
what do plants compete for
A
space, mineral ions, water, light,
4
Q
what do animals compete for
A
space, food, water, MATES
5
Q
what is interdependence
A
how organisms in a community depend on other organisms for services (e.g.food/shelter)
6
Q
what is a stable community
A
where all abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living)factors are in balance
as a result population sizes are roughly constant
e.g. tropical rainforests, coral reefs
when they are lost they are difficult to replace.
7
Q
biodiversity
A
the variety of organisms within earth / within an ecosystem
high biodiversity means that an ecosystem will be stable
