Ecology terminology Flashcards
Ecology
the study of organisms and how they interact with the environment around them.
abiotic factors
a non-living condition or thing, as climate or habitat, that influences or affects an ecosystem and the organisms in it
biotic factors
any living component that affects another organism or shapes the ecosystem.
ecosystem
The biotic community together with the physical environment interacting with each other
community
a population of different species of organisms interacting in a common Environment
population
a group of organisms in one area that are members of the same species.
habitat
the area where an organism naturally lives, resides or exists
autotroph/producer
an organism that can produce its own food from inorganic materials
heterotroph/consumer
an organism that cannot produce its own food, and instead eats other organisms
herbivore
an organism that feeds mostly on plants
carnivore
an organism that eats mostly meat, or the flesh of animals
omnivore
an organism that can feed on both plant and animal sources.
decomposer
organism that breaks down dead organic material
