Question | Answer |
Abiotic | Nonliving (has not ever been alive and never could be alive) |
Biotic | Living organisms (fulfills the 6 characteristics of living things) |
Organism/Individual | Any living thing |
Population | More than one of the same type (species) |
Community | Several different populations that interact in a specified area |
Ecosystem | All of the biotic and abiotic factors living together and interacting in a specified area |
Biome | A group of ecosystems with similar climates and organisms found throughout the world |
Biosphere | The part of Earth where life exists |
Population density | Number of organisms in a given area. (NJ is a very densely populated area) |
Direct Observation | A type of population determination where every organism is counted. Best for organisms that don’t move like plants |
Indirect Observation | A type of population determination where an estimate of the number of individuals is made based on looking at nest, burrows, tracks, droppings etc |
Sampling | A type of population determination where one counts the number of organisms in a small area (sample) and then multiplying to find the number in a larger area. |
Mark and Recapture | population determination, traps are used to capture animals & mark them. The animals are returned to their environment. Over time, groups of animals are trapped, they are checked for tags & a mathematical formula is then used to estimate population size. |
Immigration | Populations moving INTO an area |
Emigration | Populations EXITING and area |
Reproductive Potential | The theoretical unlimited growth of a population over time (if conditions are right) |
Limiting Factors | any biotic or abiotic factor that acts in some way to limit the number of individuals that survive and reproduce in a population |
Carrying Capacity | The maximum number of individuals an environment can support |