Ecology Definitions

Ecosystem – A community of interrelated plants, animals, and abiotic factors Ecosystem – A community of interrelated plants, animals, and abiotic factors Evolution – Process by which an organism changes over time Evolution – Process by which an organism changes over time Natural Selection – The natural process by which organisms better suited for their environment survive to pass those qualities on to successive generations Natural Selection – The natural process by which organisms better suited for their environment survive to pass those qualities on to successive generations

Niche – A specific area or function within a habitat Niche – A specific area or function within a habitat Photosynthesis – The chemical process by which plants use the Sun’s energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar Photosynthesis – The chemical process by which plants use the Sun’s energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar Adaptation - A physical or behavioral change that improves a species’ ability to succeed in its environment Adaptation - A physical or behavioral change that improves a species’ ability to succeed in its environment Artificial Selection – Human intervention in breeding animals or plants with desired characteristics Artificial Selection – Human intervention in breeding animals or plants with desired characteristics

Abiotic – Describes nonliving factors that help living things survive; temperature, soil, light, water Abiotic – Describes nonliving factors that help living things survive; temperature, soil, light, water Adaptive Radiation – Diversification from a common ancestor into different forms Adaptive Radiation – Diversification from a common ancestor into different forms Biome – Linked ecosystems that form a large regional or global living community Biome – Linked ecosystems that form a large regional or global living community Food Chain – The way food energy is transferred from one organism to another Food Chain – The way food energy is transferred from one organism to another

Habitat – The place in which an organism lives Habitat – The place in which an organism lives Cellular Respiration – The process of releasing energy stored in carbohydrates that produces carbon dioxide and water (exhale) Cellular Respiration – The process of releasing energy stored in carbohydrates that produces carbon dioxide and water (exhale) First-Order Consumers – Organisms that eat food producers (plants) (Primary) First-Order Consumers – Organisms that eat food producers (plants) (Primary) Second-Order Consumer – Organisms that eat first order consumers (Secondary) Second-Order Consumer – Organisms that eat first order consumers (Secondary) Third-Order Consumer – Organisms that eat second- order consumers (Tertiary) Third-Order Consumer – Organisms that eat second- order consumers (Tertiary)

Community – The living part of an ecosystem Community – The living part of an ecosystem Food Producers – Organisms such as plants and algae which, through the process of photosynthesis, create energy-rich food Food Producers – Organisms such as plants and algae which, through the process of photosynthesis, create energy-rich food Ecology – the study of the relationships and interactions of living things with one another and with their physical environment Ecology – the study of the relationships and interactions of living things with one another and with their physical environment Population – A group of organisms of the same species living in the same ecosystem Population – A group of organisms of the same species living in the same ecosystem

Decomposers – Organisms such as fungi and bacteria that break down the complex chemical compounds made by living things into simple nutrients that are used by food producers Decomposers – Organisms such as fungi and bacteria that break down the complex chemical compounds made by living things into simple nutrients that are used by food producers Combustion – The process of burning such things as wood or fossil fuels that releases carbon dioxide, water, and stored energy. Combustion – The process of burning such things as wood or fossil fuels that releases carbon dioxide, water, and stored energy. Carbon cycle – The movement of carbon atoms through an ecosystem between living organisms as well as the non-living part of an environment Carbon cycle – The movement of carbon atoms through an ecosystem between living organisms as well as the non-living part of an environment Fertile Offspring – Offspring that will mature and be able to reproduce Fertile Offspring – Offspring that will mature and be able to reproduce

Food Web – Interconnected food chains in an ecosystem Food Web – Interconnected food chains in an ecosystem Species – very similar organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring Species – very similar organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring Biotic – the living things in an ecosystem Biotic – the living things in an ecosystem Extinction – The complete destruction of an entire species of organism Extinction – The complete destruction of an entire species of organism Nutrient – A simple chemical compound used to nourish living things; the useable part of the food Nutrient – A simple chemical compound used to nourish living things; the useable part of the food

Water cycle: – The movement of water through an ecosystem between living organisms as well as the non-living part of an environment Water cycle: – The movement of water through an ecosystem between living organisms as well as the non-living part of an environment Nitrogen cycle: – The movement of nitrogen through an ecosystem between living organisms as well as the non-living part of an environment Nitrogen cycle: – The movement of nitrogen through an ecosystem between living organisms as well as the non-living part of an environment