Interactions in Ecosystems

Front

Abiotic Factor Noun

---

[ey-bahy-ot-ik fak-ter]

Back

Abiotic Factor

---

A nonliving physical or chemical part of an ecosystem that shapes the environment and influences the organisms within it.

---

Example: This image shows sunlight and rain, which are non-living (abiotic) factors that affect an ecosystem.

Front

Biotic Factor Noun

---

[bahy-ot-ik fak-ter]

Back

Biotic Factor

---

A living or once-living component of an ecosystem, including all organisms and their organic waste and remains.

---

Example: Mushrooms are living organisms (fungi), and this image shows them as a clear example of a biotic, or living, factor in an ecosystem.

Front

Population Noun

---

[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

Back

Population

---

A group of individuals belonging to the same species that live in the same geographic area at the same time.

---

Example: A population is a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area, like this group of ladybugs.

Front

Community Noun

---

[kuh-myoo-ni-tee]

Back

Community

---

All the different populations of various species that live and interact with each other in a specific area.

---

Example: This pond shows a community because different populations of species, like the perch, smaller fish, and various plants, are all living together in one area.

Front

Ecosystem Noun

---

[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

Back

Ecosystem

---

A biological system consisting of a community of interacting organisms and their physical, nonliving environment.

---

Example: This image shows an ecosystem, a community where living things (like animals, plants, and fungi) and non-living things (like sunlight and water) exist together.

Front

Biome Noun

---

[bahy-ohm]

Back

Biome

---

A large-scale geographical region characterized by a specific climate and the distinct plants and animals adapted to it.

---

Example: This image shows Earth surrounded by examples of major world biomes, such as the tundra, rainforest, and desert, each with a small icon.

Front

Biosphere Noun

---

[bahy-oh-sfeer]

Back

Biosphere

---

The global ecological system that encompasses all life on Earth and the parts of the planet where life exists.

---

Example: This diagram shows the biosphere is the zone of life on Earth, spanning the air (atmosphere), land (lithosphere), and water (hydrosphere).

Front

Habitat Noun

---

[hab-i-tat]

Back

Habitat

---

The natural home or physical environment where an organism, population, or species lives and finds its resources.

---

Example: This image shows a pond habitat, the natural home for frogs. It provides everything frogs need to live: water, plants for shelter, and insects for food.

Front

Niche Noun

---

[nich]

Back

Niche

---

The specific functional role of an organism within its ecosystem, including its diet, behavior, and interactions.

---

Example: This image shows that an organism's niche is its specific role and set of conditions in an environment, like how only the 'just right' branch is suitable for the goldfinch.

Front

Competition Noun

---

[kom-pi-tish-uhn]

Back

Competition

---

An interaction between organisms or species that both require a limited resource, such as food, water, or territory.

---

Example: Multiple hands reaching for the same loaf of bread shows organisms competing for a limited food resource, where not everyone can get enough.