Download Ecology Vocabulary Ecology = The study of the environment. Biotic

Ecology Vocabulary
Ecology = The study of the environment.
Biotic = The living parts of the environment. (Animals, Plants, Protista, Fungi, Bacteria)
Abiotic = The non-living parts of the environment. (Rock, soil, water, temperature, air,
weather, sun)
Population = A group of the same species in an area. (school of fish)
Community = A group of different species in an area. (all the different fish, sharks,
mollusks in an area)
Ecosystem = The biotic and abiotic factors interacting in an area.
Biome = A large region composed of similar ecosystems. (Tundra, Rainforest, Desert,
Grassland, Tiaga, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Salt water, Fresh water)
Biosphere = The whole living planet. (Earth)
Food Chains and Webs = Show the transfer of energy from one organism to the next in
an ecosystem. Begins with the sun (energy provider) and ends with a decomposer. As
the energy is transferred from a producer to consumer to consumer to decomposer energy
decreases. Ex = sun shrub rabbit snake bacteria. Webs are more than one chain
together.
Energy Pyramid = A diagram that shows the decrease in energy and the number of
organisms as you move through a food chain.
Habitat = Where an animal lives. Polar bear and the artic and lion in the savannah.
Niche = The job or role of an animal. Wolf is a predator and rabbit is the prey.
Carrying Capacity = The largest population size that an environment can support.
Limiting Factor = Anything that limits the growth of a population (lack of resources,
competition)
Symbiosis = A relationship between two different organisms.
Mutualism = A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit. (ex. Ibis bird
cleans the teeth of an alligator for food and the alligator gets clean teeth)
Commensalism = A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is
not affected. (ex. Shark and remora fish. The shark is not affected by the fish and the
fish gets protection and food)
Parasitism = A symbiotic relationship where on organism benefits and the other is
harmed. (ex. Human and tick, leech, or tapeworm)
Pioneer species = The first producer to grow in an area beginning succession (Lichen).
Biodiversity = The variety of life. The biome with the greatest biodiversity is the
rainforest.
Eutrophication = The addition of excess nutrients or chemicals to an ecosystem.