Dynamic Ecosystems

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Ecosystem Noun

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[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

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Ecosystem

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All the living and nonliving things that interact with each other in a specific area or environment.

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Example: This image shows a pond ecosystem with fish, plants, and water interacting, illustrating how living and nonliving things coexist.

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Biosphere Noun

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[bahy-oh-sfeer]

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Biosphere

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The parts of Earth and the surrounding atmosphere where there is life, including land, water, and air.

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Example: The image shows the biosphere, where life exists in the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.

Front

Individual Noun

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[in-duh-vij-oo-uhl]

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Individual

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A single organism or a distinct, single member of a species, separate from other members of its kind.

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Example: This diagram shows a single bacterium, illustrating the concept of an individual organism in a species.

Front

Species Noun

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[spee-sheez]

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Species

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A group of organisms that have similar traits and are able to produce fertile offspring with one another.

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Example: Different species like penguins, tigers, and butterflies are shown with their scientific names, highlighting the concept of species.

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Population Noun

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[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

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Population

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All the organisms of the same species that live in the same geographical area at the same time.

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Example: The image shows different species living together in a pond ecosystem, illustrating the concept of a population.

Front

Community Noun

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[kuh-myoo-ni-tee]

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Community

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All the populations of different species that live together and interact in the same area at the same time.

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Example: The image shows different species living together in a pond ecosystem, illustrating a community.

Front

Limiting Factor Noun

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[lim-i-ting fak-ter]

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Limiting Factor

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An environmental factor that restricts the size, growth, or distribution of a population in an ecosystem.

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Example: Illustrates different organisms that could be affected by limiting factors in an ecosystem.

Front

Biotic Potential Noun

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[bahy-ot-ik puh-ten-shuhl]

Back

Biotic Potential

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The maximum reproductive capacity of a population under ideal conditions with no environmental limiting factors.

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Example: The graph shows biotic potential as exponential growth when no environmental limits exist.

Front

Carrying Capacity Noun

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[kar-ee-ing kuh-pas-i-tee]

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Carrying Capacity

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The largest number of individuals of one species that an ecosystem can sustainably support over a long period.

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Example: The image shows a bucket filling with water, representing population growth, and overflowing when carrying capacity is exceeded.

Front

Overpopulation Noun

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[oh-ver-pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

Back

Overpopulation

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A condition where a population's size grows so large that it causes damage to its environment.

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Example: The overflowing container represents overpopulation, showing how excess population strains resources.