IGCSE Topic 5 - Ecology Key Terms

The study of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment.

• Ecology

• Ecosystem

• Evolution

• Ecowarrior

A community of organisms and the habitat in which they live.

• Ecology

• Ecosystem

• Environment

• Economics

All the different organisms in an ecosystem.

• Species

• Population

• Community

• Animals

The non-living part of an ecosystem.

• Rocks

• Environment

• Soil

• Habitat

A group of organisms of the same species.

• Population

• Community

• Producers

• Inhabitants

When organisms fight for the same resources, eg food and territory.

• Battle

• Conflict

• Competition

• Contest

An animal that only eats plants.

• Herbivore

• Omnivore

• Carnivore

• Detritivore

An animal that only eats other animals.

• Herbivore

• Carnivore

• Omnivore

• Folivore

An animal that eats both plants and other animals.

• Frugivore

• Carnivore

• Herbivore

• Omnivore

An organism that is able to make its own food by photosynthesis.

• Plant

• Producer

• Consumer

• Predator