Ecology test #1 Flashcards
Stewardship
Caring for the earth and taking responsibility
Sustainability
Plants, animals, and other living organisms can reproduce for many generations to come
Biodiversity
the number or different organisms in an area. Areas with high biodiversity are considered healthy, sustainable environments
Biosphere
Water, air, and land
Hydrosphere
The water on the earth. 93% salt water and 3% fresh water
Atmosphere
The gasses that surround the earth
Lithosphere
The earths outer layer (crust and upper mantle)
Ecology
How organisms interact with each other and the environment
Biotic
Living OR once living organisms EX. Fungi, bacteria, plants, animals, etc…
Abiotic
Non-living organisms EX. Water, rocks, soil, etc…
Organism
One individual number or species EX. a fish
Species
A group of similar organisms in an ecosystem that can reproduce
Population
A group of members of the same species that live in the same area EX. Fish in a body of water
Community
Different species that live and interact in an area EX. Fish, crab, grass (Biotic only)
Ecosystem
Made up of communities (Biotic & Abiotic)
Biome
Is a large region that contains similar ecosystems. They can be land based or water based
Habitat
The physical environment of an organism
Niche
the interactions of a given species with its ecosystem
Climate change
Burning fossil fuels leads to global warming which drives climate change
Habitat change
When humans ruin a place where a species used to live and they no longer can
Invasive species
non native species that cause harm to the ecosystem that its introduced to
Pollution
Substance that is added to the environment and is harmful to organisms
Overexploitation of resources
Using a resource faster than it can be replaced
Point source pollution
Enters bodies of water from a specific place.
