Lesson 1 - Ecological Terminology Flashcards
(22 cards)
Define Ecology?
The study of the relationships of organisms with their environment and with each other
Define Ecosystem?
Interacting system that consists of groups of organisms and their non-living environment
What is the size of an ecosystem?
has no fixed limits - Very small like a drop of water or the bristles of a toothbrush or very large like the entire Earth
Give 4 examples of a ABIOTIC factor
- Water
- Sunlight
- Temperature
- Air
Give 4 examples of a BIOTIC factor
- Animals
- Plants
- Fungi
- Bacteria
What is an open ecosystem?
Materials (biotic or abiotic) can enter or leave the system (woodlot, forest, fish bowl)
What is a closed ecosystem?
Materials cannot enter or leave, except light/energy therefore system is independent of its surroundings (ecojar, sealed biodome)
Define habitat
Where the organism lives
Define niche
The total role (occupation/job) of the organism in the ecosystem
Define interspecific competition
Occurs between different species
Define intraspecific competition
Occurs within the same species
What is found at trophic level 1
Producers (plants)
What is found at trophic level 2
Consumers (herbivores)
What is found at trophic level 3+
Consumers (carnivore)
What is a producer?
Any organism that produce food using photosynthesis
What are plants called?
“Autotrophs”
What is a consumer?
Any organism that eats another organism for food
What are herbivores called?
1st Order Consumer or Primary Consumer
What are carnivores called?
2nd Order+ Consumer or Secondary Consumer or top carnivore (last trophic level)
What trophic level can omnivores be found in
can be in any Trophic Level 2 or higher
What is the role of Decomposers (Detritivores)
Breakdown dead organisms from any trophic level
What are decomposers called?
Also called Scavengers or Saprophites
