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Ecosystems
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Ecosystem | Interactions among populations in a community |
| Abiotic Factor | Non-living things that can affect organisms. Examples: light, temperature, rocks and water |
| Biotic Factor | Living things that can affect organisms. Examples: predators, prey, and other organisms in a habitat |
| Estuary | Where freshwater and saltwater meet (brackish water). Estuaries filter pollutants, buffer against waves, and are the nurseries of the sea. |
| Hydrothermal Vent/Cold Seep | An ecosystem located in the aphotic zone of the ocean. Cracks in the earth's crust release chemicals that special bacteria use for chemosynthesis. Example of organisms that live here include tube worms, octopus, vent fish, giant white clams, etc. |
| Salinity | The salt content of the water. |
| Upwelling | When warm surface water near coastal areas is blown offshore by winds. Then cold water along the bottom of the ocean near the shore rises, carrying nutrients to the surface. |
| Biodiversity | A measure of the number of species in an area. |