Ecology vocab: Ecology and Ecological Hierarchy Flashcards
Ecology
the study of how living organisms, including humans, interact with their physical environment
Biotic factors
living organisms that shape their environment and interact with each other and the environment
Abiotic factors
non-living parts of an environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems
Environment
the sum of all the living and non-living things that affect an organism during its lifetime
Habitat
the natural environment of an organism, such as a plant or animal, that provides it with the resources it needs to survive
Niche
the role an organism plays in its ecosystem
Species
a group of organisms that can reproduce with each other in nature and produce fertile offspring
Population
a group of organisms of the same species that live in the same area at the same time
Community
a group of different species that live together in a specific area and interact with each other
Ecosystem
a community of living organisms and their physical environment that interact with each other in a specific area
Biosphere
the part of Earth that contains all living organisms, including plants, animals, and bacteria
Biome
a large-scale ecosystem that’s defined by its climate, vegetation, and animal life
Ecosystem
a community of living organisms and their physical environment that interact with each other in a specific area
Individual
a member of a specific species’ population in a specific location and time
