Ecology Vocabulary Flashcards
Ecosystem
A natural unit consisting of all living organisms in an area functioning together with all the non-living physical factors of the environment.
Niche
The role of a species within its ecosystem.
Habitat
The physical environment to which it has become adapted and in which it can survive.
Nitrogen cycle
Moves nitrogen through abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystems.
Nitrogen fixation
The process of converting nitrogen gas to nitrate ins that plants can absorb.
Ammonifocation
When decomposers break down organic remains and wastes, they release nitrogen in the form of ammonium ions.
Nitrification
The process of converting ammonium ions nitrites or nitrates.
Denitrification
When denitrifying bacteria, convert some of the nitrates on soil back into nitrogen gas.
Anammox reaction
In the ocean, this reaction returns nitrogen to the atmosphere.
Food chain
Represents a simple linear pathway through which energy and materials are transferred from one species to another in an ecosystem.
Food web
A diagram of feeding relationships that includes multiple intersecting food chains.
Trophic levels
The different feeding positions in a food chain or web.
Biomass
The total mass of organisms in a trophic level (or other grouping of organisms).
