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54 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Abiotic |
Relating tonon-living parts of an environment such as sunlight, soil, moisture, andtemperature
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Biome |
The largest division of the biosphere, which includes large regions with similar biotic components (e.g., similar plants and animals) and similar abiotic components (e.g., similar temperature and amount of rainfall)
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Biotic |
Relating to living organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria
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Commensalism |
A symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and the other species is neither helped nor harmed
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Ecosystem |
A part of a biome in which abiotic components interact with biotic components
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Mutualism |
A symbiotic relationship between two organisms in which both organisms benefit |
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Parasitism |
A symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and another is harmed |
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Predation |
Predator-prey interactions in which one organism (the predator) eats all or part of another organism (the prey) |
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Symbiosis |
The interaction between members of two different species that live together in a close association |
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Adaptations |
Characteristics that enable organisms to better survive and reproduce |
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Climate |
The average conditions of the atmosphere (e.g., precipitation, temperature, and humidity) in a large region over 30 years or more |
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Climatograph |
A graph of climate data for a specific region; the data are usually obtained over 30 years or more |
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Competition |
A harmful interaction between two or more organisms that can occur when organisms compete for the same resource (e.g., food) in the same location at the same time |
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Niche |
The special role an organism plays in an ecosystem, including the way in which it contributes to and fits into its environment
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Bioaccumulation |
The gradual build-up of synthetic and organic chemicals in living organisms |
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Biodegradation |
The breaking down of dead organic matter by living organisms such as bacteria |
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Carbonate |
A combination of carbon and oxygen (CO3-2) that is dissolved in ocean water |
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Cellular Respiration |
The process in which both plants and animals release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere by converting carbohydrates and oxygen into carbon dioxide and water
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Decomposers |
Organisms (e.g., bacteria and fungi) that break down wastes and dead organisms and change them into usable nutrients available to other organisms |
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Denitrification |
The process in which nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere |
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Food Chain |
A model that shows the flow of energy from plant to animal and from animal to animal |
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Food Pyramid |
A model that shows the loss of energy from one trophic level to another; often called an ecological pyramid |
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Food Web |
A model of the feeding relationships within an ecosystem; formed from interconnected food chains |
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Heavy Metals |
Metallic elements with a high density that are toxic to organisms at low concentrations |
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Keystone Species |
Species (e.g., salmon) that can greatly affect population numbers and the health of an ecosystem |
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Nitrification |
The process in which ammonium (NH4-) is converted intro nitrate (NO3+) |
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Nutrients |
Substances such as the chemicals nitrogen and phosphorus that are required by plants and animals for energy, growth, development, repair, or maintenance; important components of nutrient cycles in the biosphere |
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PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)
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Synthetic chemicals containing chlorine that are used in the manufacture of plastics and other industrial products, become stored in the tissue of animals, and also persist in the environment |
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Pesticides |
A general term for chemicals that are used to eliminate pests, such as insecticides that kill insects and herbicides that kill weeds |
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Photosynthesis |
A process in which carbon dioxide enters the leaves of plants and reacts with water in the presence of sunlight to produce carbohydrates and oxygen; photosynthesis also occurs in some micro-organisms |
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Trophic Levels |
Steps in a food chain that show feeding and niche relationships among organisms |
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Consumers |
An organism that eats other organisms |
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Producers |
Organisms that produce food in the form of carbohydrates during photosynthesis |
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Sedimentation |
The process in which soil particles and decaying organic matter accumulate in layers on the ground or at the bottom of large bodies of water, contributing to the formation of sedimentary rock |
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Weathering |
The process in which rock is broken down into smaller fragments |
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Bioremediation |
The use of organisms – usually micro-organisms or plants – to break down chemical pollutants in water or soil to reverse of lessen environmental damage |
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Parts per million (ppm)
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A measurement of chemical accumulation; 1 ppm means one particle mixed with 999 999 other particles
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Adaptive Radiation |
The development of a number of new species from a common ancestor; the new species are adapted to inhabit different niches |
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Ecological Succession |
Changes that take place over time in the types of organisms that live in an area |
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Introduced Species (Foreign Species) |
Plants, animals, or micro-organisms that are transported intentionally or by accident into regions in which they did not exist previously |
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Natural Selection |
The process in which, over time, the best-adapted members of a species will survive and reproduce. This process makes change in living things possible |
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Climax Community |
A mature community, such as a boreal forest, tropical rainforest, grassland, or desert, that continues to change over time |
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Contamination |
The introduction of chemicals, toxins, wastes, or micro-organisms into the environment in concentrations that are harmful to living things |
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Deforestation |
The clearing or logging of forests without replanting |
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Extinction |
The dying out of a species; species become extinct when their numbers are reduced to zero |
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Habitat Loss |
The destruction of habitats into smaller, isolated fragments |
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Resource Exploitation |
Resource use |
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Resource Use |
The ways in which we obtain and use naturally occurring materials such as soil, wood, water, gas, oil or minerals |
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Soil Degradation |
Damage to soil – for example, as a result of deforestation or the removal of topsoil from bare land by water and wind erosion |
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Sustainability |
The ability of an ecosystem to sustain ecological processes and maintain biodiversity over time; using natural resources in a way that maintains ecosystem health now and for future generations |
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Traditional ecological knowledge
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Ecological information, passed down from generation to generation, that reflects human experience with nature gained over centuries |
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Introduced Species |
Plants, animals, or micro-organisms that are transported intentionally or by accident into regions in which they did not exist previously |
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Invasive Species |
Introduced organisms that can take over the habitat of native species or invade their bodies |
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Native Species |
Plants and animals that naturally inhabit an area |
