Key Words Flashcards
Species
A group of organisms with similar morphological and physiological features that can breed to produce fertile offspring
Niche
The role an organism plays in a community
Carrying capacity
the maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment.
Ecosystem
a community of organisms and their physical environment interacting together.
Community
an interacting group of various species in a common location.
Population
a group of individuals of the same species living and interbreeding within a given area.
Sustainability
the ability of biological systems to remain healthy, diverse, and productive over time
Ecotourism
Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people
Succession
the process by which the mix of species and habitat in an area changes over time.
Deflected succession
when a community remains stable due to human activity preventing further succession
Plagioclimax
an area or habitat in which the influences of the humans have prevented the ecosystem from developing further
Pioneer species
the species that first colonize new habitats created by disturbance
Competitive exclusion principle
a state in which two species competing for the same resources cannot stably coexist if other ecological factors are constant.
Density independent factor
any force that affects the size of a population of living things regardless of the density of the population
Density dependent factor
disease, competition, and predation
Biotic factors
a living organism that shapes its environment
Abiotic
a non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment
