Ecology

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Ecology Noun

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[ee-kol-uh-jee]

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Ecology

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The scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment, including both living and non-living components.

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Example: This diagram shows how energy flows through an ecosystem, from the sun to plants, then to animals, and finally to decomposers, with heat lost at each step.

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Biotic Factor Noun

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[by-ot-ik fak-ter]

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Biotic Factor

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Any living or once-living component of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.

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Example: This image shows six different categories of living things, such as animals, plants, and fungi, which are all examples of biotic factors in an ecosystem.

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Abiotic Factor Noun

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

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Abiotic Factor

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A non-living physical or chemical component of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, temperature, water, and soil composition.

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Example: The word 'abiotic' is decorated with examples of non-living factors in an ecosystem, such as water (A), rock (B), sun (O), and temperature (I).

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Population Noun

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[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

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Population

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A group of individuals of the same species that live and interact within the same geographical area.

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Example: This graph shows how a population's size changes over time, either growing uncontrollably (exponential) or leveling off due to environmental limits (logistic).

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Community Noun

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[kuh-myoo-ni-tee]

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Community

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All the different populations of various species that live and interact together within a specific geographical area.

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Example: This image shows a community of different living things—a tree, caterpillar, bird, and microbes—interacting with each other through a food chain.

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Ecosystem Noun

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[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

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Ecosystem

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A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment functioning as a single, complex unit.

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Example: This diagram shows an ecosystem where energy flows from the sun to plants (producers), then to animals (consumers), and finally to decomposers, with heat lost at each step.

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Biome Noun

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[bahy-ohm]

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Biome

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A large geographical area characterized by similar ecosystems, climate, and dominant forms of plant and animal life.

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Example: This map shows how a large landmass, like Brazil, is divided into different biomes, which are large regions with distinct climates, plants, and animals.

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Biosphere Noun

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[bahy-oh-sfeer]

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Biosphere

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The part of Earth where life exists, encompassing all land, water, and air; the sum of all ecosystems.

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Example: This diagram shows that the biosphere is the part of Earth where life exists, by combining the atmosphere (air), lithosphere (land), and hydrosphere (water).

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Niche Noun

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[nich]

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Niche

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The specific role or function of a species within its ecosystem, including its interactions with all factors.

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Example: An organism's niche requires specific conditions to be 'just right'; for a goldfinch, this includes perching on branches that are not too thick or too thin.

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Habitat Noun

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[hab-i-tat]

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Habitat

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The natural home or environment of an organism, providing the conditions necessary for its survival and reproduction.

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Example: This image displays six different types of habitats—Coastal, Freshwater, Arid, Polar, Forest, and Urban—to illustrate the variety of environments where organisms live.