Ecosystems Flashcards
Define Sustainable resource
A renewable resource which is being economically exploited in such a way that it will not diminish or run out
Define ecosystem
All the interacting living organisms and non living conditions in an area
Define decomposition
Chemical reactions in which a compound is broken down into simpler compounds or its constituent elements
Define interspecific competition
Competition between organisms of different species
Define intraspecific competition
Competition between organisms of the same species
Define ecological efficiency
The efficiency with which energy or biomass is transferred from one trophies level to the next
Define climax community
Final stage of succession, where the community is said to be in a stable state
Define biomass
Mass of living material
Define hummus
The organic component of soil formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms
Define decomposer
An organism that breaks down dead organisms releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem
Define trophic level
Stage in a food chain
Define plagioclimax
The stage in succession where artificial or natural factors prevent the natural climax community from forming
Define carrying capacity
The maximum population size that an environment can support
Define dominant species
The most abundant species in an ecosystem
Define seral stages
The stages of succession