Unit 2 List 1 Ecology Flashcards
abiotic factor
a non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment.
Autotrophs
can convert abiotic sources of energy into energy stored in organic compounds
Biotic Factors
living things within an ecosystem
Commensalism
association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm.
Bioaccumulation
an increase in the concentration of a chemical in a biological organism over time
Carnivore
nutrition and energy requirements are met by consumption of animal tissues
Carbon Sink
anything that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases
Decomposer
especially a soil bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate, that decomposes organic material.
Ecosystem
a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
Competition
the activity or condition of competing.
Consumer
a person who purchases goods and services for personal use.
energy pyramid
graphical representation designed to show the biomass or bioproductivity at each trophic level in an ecosystem
Food Chain
network of links in a food web
Food Web
consists of all the food chains in a single ecosystem
Habitat
the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.
herbivore
an animal that mainly eats plants
Heterotrophs
organism that eats other plants or animals for energy and nutrients
Leaching
a process of extracting a substance from a solid material that is dissolved in a liquid
Limiting Factor
anything that constrains a population’s size and slows or stops it from growing
Mutualism
the ecological interaction between two or more species where each species has a net benefitthe doctrine that mutual dependence is necessary to social well-being.
Niche
a comfortable or suitable position in life or employment.
Ocean Acidification
a reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period of time
Omnivore
an animal or person that eats food of both plant and animal origin.
Parasitism
the practice of living as a parasite in or on another organism.
Phytoplankton
autotrophic components of the plankton community and a key part of ocean and freshwater ecosystems
Pioneer Species
species that first colonize new habitats created by disturbance
Population
all the inhabitants of a particular town, area, or country.
Predation
the preying of one animal on others.
Predator
an animal that naturally preys on others.
Prey
an animal that is caught and killed by another for food.
Primary Succession
happens when a new patch of land is created or exposed for the first time
Producer
organisms that make their own food;
Secondary Succession
happens when a climax community or intermediate community is impacted by a disturbance
Species Overshoot
Once a population exceeds carrying capacity
Sustainability
a social goal for people to co-exist on Earth over a long period of time.
