Intro to Ecology Flashcards
Organism
an individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.
Population
a group of individuals of the same species living and interbreeding within a given area
Community
group of populations of two or more different species occupying the same geographical area
Ecosystem
a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
Biome
large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g. forest or tundra
Name 3 biotic factors
competition, predators, and food
Name 5 abiotic factors
temperature, water, soil, rocks, and sunlight
Primary producer
an organism that produces its own food through photosynthesis
Primary consumer
feeds off of a primary producers
Secondary consumer
feeds on the primary consumers
Scavengers
an animal that feeds on dead animals
Decomposers
an organism that decomposes organic material, especially a soil bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate.
Pioneer
Pioneer species are the first ones to colonize a bare substrate in primary succession
Climax Community
populations of plants or animals remain stable and exist in balance with each other and their environment
keystone
an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem
