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Ecology Vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Autotroph | Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their food using energy from sunlight or inorganic compounds |
| Heterotroph | Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on consuming other organisms for energy. |
| Organism | The concept of an organism is central to biology. |
| Habitat | Habitat is crucial for biodiversity and ecosystem health. |
| Biotic factor | Biotic factors are living organisms or components of an ecosystem that can influence the behavior, distribution, and interactions of other organisms. |
| Abiotic factor | Abiotic factors like temperature, pH, and light can directly influence protein structure and function in cells. |
| Species | Species are distinct groups of organisms that share common characteristics and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring. |
| Population | The population of a country or region refers to the total number of people living in that area. |
| Community | Community refers to a group of people who share common characteristics, interests, or goals and are connected by social ties. |
| Ecosystem | Ecosystems are complex systems that consist of living organisms (such as plants, animals, and microorganisms) and their physical environment (including air, water, and soil). |
| Ecology | Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between organisms and their environment. |
| Immigration | Immigration is the process of individuals moving from one country to another with the intention of residing there permanently. |
| Emigration | Emigration refers to the act of leaving one's country of origin to settle in another country. |
| Population density | Population density refers to the number of individuals living in a specific area, usually measured per square kilometer or square mile. |
| Limiting factor | A limiting factor refers to something that restricts or hinders a particular process or outcome. |
| Carrying capacity | Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that can be sustained by the environment. |
| Natural selection | Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution. It is the process by which certain traits or characteristics become more or less common in a population over time. |
| Adaptation | Adaptation is a term used in biology to describe how organisms change and become better suited to their environment. |
| Niche | The niche is the specific environment where cells or organisms live and interact. |
| Competition | Competition is a common phenomenon in various aspects of life, including sports, business, and even within biological systems. |
| Predation | Predation is the act of one organism, called the predator, capturing and consuming another organism, called the prey. |
| Mutualism | Mutualism is a type of interaction between different species in which both partners benefit from each other. |
| Commensalism | Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship between two organisms, where one organism benefits while the other is unaffected. |
| Parasitism | Parasitism is a common biological phenomenon found in various organisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and animals. |
| Parasite | Parasites are organisms that live off other living things, like humans, for food and shelter. |
| Host | The concept of "host" refers to an organism that provides a habitat and resources for another organism, known as the "guest" or "parasite." |
| Succession | Succession refers to the process of ecological change and community development over time following a disturbance or the colonization of a new habitat. |
| Primary succession | Primary succession refers to the process of ecological development in an area that is devoid of any life or soil, such as a newly formed volcanic island or a bare rock surface. |
| Pioneer species | Pioneer species are the first plants to colonize and establish in a disturbed or barren environment. |
| Secondary succession | Secondary succession refers to the ecological process where a new community of organisms develops after a disturbance, such as a fire or abandoned land. |
| Producer | A producer is an organism that can make its own food from inorganic sources, typically through photosynthesis. |
| Consumer | A consumer is an organism that obtains its energy by consuming other organisms. |
| Herbivore | Herbivores are animals that primarily feed on plants. |
| Carnivore | A carnivore is an animal that primarily or exclusively eats meat. |
| Omnivore | Omnivores have diverse diets, including both plant and animal sources. |
| Scavenger | A scavenger is an organism, typically an animal, that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter. |
| Decomposer | Decomposers play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients in ecosystems. |
| Food chain | The food chain refers to the transfer of energy and nutrients from one organism to another in an ecosystem. |
| Food web | Food webs are networks of feeding relationships between different species in an ecosystem. |
| Energy pyramid | An energy pyramid is a graphical representation of the flow of energy through different trophic levels in an ecosystem. |
| Nitrogen fixation | Nitrogen fixation is the process by which certain microorganisms convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a form that can be used by plants. |
| Biome | A biome is a large-scale ecological community characterized by distinct vegetation and animal life. |
| Climate | Climate change refers to significant alterations in temperature, rainfall, and wind patterns over many years. |
| Desert | Deserts are harsh environments with unique adaptations in plants and animals. |
| Rain forest | Rainforests are complex ecosystems with diverse species and dynamics. Studies highlight the importance of conservation, species diversity, nutrient cycling, and responses to climate change in tropical rainforests. |
| Emergent layer | The uppermost layer of a rainforest, characterized by the tallest trees that dominate the skyline |
| Canopy | an ornamental cloth covering hung or held up over something, especially a throne or bed. |
| Understory | forest structure, carbon storage, tree regeneration, and stand dynamics post-wind disturbances, which indirectly relate to understory vegetation and ecosystem resilience. |
| Grassland | Grasslands cover a significant portion of the Earth's surface, providing habitat for diverse plant and animal species. |
| Savanna | A grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few trees. |
| Deciduous tree | Deciduous trees shed their leaves annually in response to environmental cues like temperature and day length |
| Boreal forest | The boreal forest, a vast biome, provides essential services like wood production and climate regulation. |
Created by:
Martrell
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