Question | Answer |
The study of the relationships between living things and their surrounds. | Ecology |
The zone of air, land, and water of the planet that is occupied by organisms. | Biosphere |
All living (Biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things in a designated area. | Ecosystem |
All living organisms in an ecosystem. | Community |
The number of individuals of ONE SPECIES within a community. | Population |
An individual member of a species. | Organism |
Ecological or environmental areas that are inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism. | Habitat |
The role an animal plays in the habitat. | Niche |
A division of the world's vegetation that corresponds to a defined climate and is characterized by specific types of plants and animals. | Biome |
(species diversity) is known as the “variety of life”, and it is always changing. The greater the richness and species numbers, the more sustainable (lasting) the ecosystem. | Biodiversity |
Describes close and often long-term interactions between different biological Species. | Symbiosis |
A dependent relationship that benefits both organisms. | Mutualism |
A dependent relationship that neither helps nor harms the host. | Commensalism |
A dependent relationship that harms the host. | Parasitism |
Refers to more-or-less predictable and orderly changes in the composition or structure of an ecological community. | Ecological Succession |
Succession that begins from bare rock. | Primary Succession |
Succession that begins from soil. | Secondary Succession |
The first species that inhabit an area. | Pioneer Species |
Species that begin to form when soil is rich enough and deep enough to support larger species of plants (which in turn provide animal species with varied shelters). | Intermediate Species |
Ecosystems that have reached equilibrium (a stable state where very few large changes are taking place). | Climax Community |
Sometimes ecosystems are affected by plants or animals that are non-native to the ecosystem, and when introduced to it, can cause the ecosystem harm. | Invasive Species |