Ecosystem Flashcards
a depiction of the amount of energy in each trophic level of an ecosystem
Energy Pyramid
a series of organisms related by predator-prey and consumer-resource interactions; the entirety of interrelated food chains in an ecological community
Food Web
an organism, usually a bacterium or fungus, that breaks down the cells of dead plants and animals into simpler substances
Decomposer
a series of organisms interrelated in their feeding habits, the smallest being fed upon by a larger one, which in turn feeds a still larger one, etc.
Food Chain
belonging or pertaining to the conifers. Compare conifer (def 1)
Coniferous
an organism, usually an animal, that feeds on plants or other animals
Consumer
a complex biotic community characterized by distinctive plant and animal species and maintained under the climatic conditions of the region, especially such a community that has developed to climax
Biome
falling off or shed at a particular season, stage of growth, etc., as leaves, horns, or teeth
Deciduous
the branch of biology dealing with the relations and interactions between organisms and their environment, including other organisms
Ecology
a sequence of changing states that, upon completion, produces a final state identical to the original one
Cycle
the continuous sequence of events by which atmospheric nitrogen and nitrogenous compounds in the soil are converted, as by nitrification and nitrogen fixation, into substances that can be utilized by green plants, the substances returning to the air and soil as a result of the decay of the plants and denitrification
Nitrogen Cycle
a living thing, as an animal or plant, that influences or affects an ecosystem: How do humans affect other biotic factors
Biotic Factors
the natural sequence through which water passes into the atmosphere as water vapor, precipitates to earth in liquid or solid form, and ultimately returns to the atmosphere through evaporation
Water Cycle
a nonliving condition or thing, as climate or habitat, that influences or affects an ecosystem and the organisms in it
Abiotic Factor
an organism, as a plant, that is able to produce its own food from inorganic substances
Producer