environmental science CH 8 Flashcards
population
all the members of a species living in the same place at the same time
density
the number of individuals per unit area or volume
dispersion
the relative distribution or arrangement of its individuals within a given amount of space
reproductive potential
the maximum number of offspring that each member of the population can produce
exponential growth
extremely fast growth, with no limits, the graph is a J curve
carrying capacity
the maximum population that the ecosystem can support indefinitely
niche
the role of an organism within an ecosystem.
competition
a relationship in which different individuals or populations attempt to use the same limited resources.
predation
an interaction when one organism feeds on another organism.
parasitism
a relationship between two organisms when one organism (parasite) takes nourishment from another (host).
mutualism
a close relationship between two species in which each species provides a benefit to the other.
commensalism
a relationship in which one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor helped.
symbiosis
a relationship in which two species live in close association.
