Unit 10 Vocabulary: Ecosystems

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Abiotic factor

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Non-living components of an ecosystem that affect living organisms and the environment, such as sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and air.

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Biotic factor

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Living components of an ecosystem that influence other organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. Biotic factors interact with each other and their environment.

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Biosphere

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The part of Earth where life exists, including land, water, and the atmosphere. The biosphere encompasses all ecosystems and living organisms.

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Ecology

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The scientific study of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment. Ecology examines relationships between organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems.

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Carrying capacity

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The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support sustainably without degrading the ecosystem. It is determined by resource availability, such as food, water, and shelter.

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Population density

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The number of individuals of a species living in a specific area, usually expressed as individuals per unit area (e.g., individuals per square kilometer). High population density can lead to increased competition for resources.

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Population distribution

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The way in which individuals of a species are spread out across a particular area. Distribution patterns can be uniform, random, or clumped, depending on environmental factors and social behavior.

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Population growth rate

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The rate at which a population increases in size over a specific period, usually expressed as a percentage. It considers factors like birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration.

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Community

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A group of different species living together in the same area, interacting with each other and their environment. Communities include various populations of plants, animals, and microorganisms.

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Competition

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The struggle between organisms for limited resources, such as food, water, space, and mates. Competition can occur within a species (intraspecific competition) or between different species (interspecific competition).