Basic Ecology Concepts

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Ecosystem

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A community of living organisms, such as plants and animals, interacting with their physical environment, including air, water, and soil.

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Producer

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An organism, usually a plant, that makes its own food through photosynthesis, using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.

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Consumer

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An organism that cannot produce its own food and instead obtains energy by eating other organisms, such as plants or animals.

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Decomposer

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An organism, like bacteria or fungi, that breaks down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil and helping recycle matter in the ecosystem.

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Photosynthesis

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The process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into food (glucose) and oxygen.