Ecology Flashcards
(30 cards)
Herbivore
an animal that feeds on plants.
Predator
an animal that naturally preys on others.
Carnivore
an animal that feeds on flesh.
Omnivore
an animal or person that eats food of both plant and animal origin.
Produces
cause (a particular result or situation) to happen or come into existence.
Consumer
a person who purchases goods and services for personal use.
Energy Pyramid
An ecological pyramid (or trophic pyramid) is a graphical representation designed to show the biomass or biomass productivity at each trophic level in a given ecosystem.
Biome
a large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g., forest or tundra.
Ecosystem
a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
Organism
an individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.
Predation
the preying of one animal on others.
Symbiosis
interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.
parasitism
the relation between two different kinds of organisms in which one receives benefits from the other by causing damage to it (usually not fatal damage)
Mutualism
the doctrine that mutual dependence is necessary to social well-being.
Commensalism
an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm
Ecology
the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Biodiversity
the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Food Web
a system of interlocking and interdependent food chains.
Food Chain
a hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.
Invasive Species
Aren’t native to, they overtake a place.
Nonnative Species
Brought to one place or another by a different place or country
Sustainability
Meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Trade Off
a balance achieved between two desirable but incompatible features; a compromise.
“a trade-off between objectivity and relevance”
Fishery
a place where fish are reared for commercial purposes.