Ecosystem and Biome Concepts

Predation

• The relationship in which predator feeds on its prey.

• A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit.

• A competition between two species for the same resources.

• A relationship where one species benefits while the other is harmed.

Mutualism

• A close relationship between two species in which each species provides a benefit.

• A relationship where one species benefits while the other is harmed.

• A relationship where both species are unaffected by each other.

• A relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Permafrost

• Permanently frozen soil a few inches below the active soil in tundra biomes.

• Soil that is always wet and never freezes.

• A type of soil found in desert regions.

• Soil that is rich in organic matter and supports dense forests.

Coral reef

• A type of fish found in tropical waters.

• A limestone island in the sea built by coral animals.

• A large underwater volcano.

• A type of seaweed that grows in shallow waters.

Biodiversity

• The variety of species of plants and animals in an ecosystem.

• The total number of individuals in a population.

• The genetic variation within a species.

• The distribution of species across different habitats.

Estuary

• A type of freshwater lake

• An aquatic ecosystem where freshwater from rivers mixes with salt water from oceans forming a nutrient trap.

• A coastal area where saltwater meets freshwater but does not mix

• A deep ocean trench that supports marine life

Forests

• A biome dominated by tall trees (deciduous and conifers).

• A flat area covered with grass and few trees.

• A region characterized by extreme temperatures and little precipitation.

• A habitat primarily consisting of small shrubs and bushes.

Primary Succession

• The change in a community in which no ecosystem previously existed.

• The gradual process of change in an existing ecosystem.

• The immediate response of an ecosystem to a disturbance.

• The introduction of new species to an established ecosystem.

Biotic factors

• The non-living components of an ecosystem.

• The living and once living parts of an ecosystem including all of the plants and animals.

• The physical environment in which organisms live.

• The chemical substances that affect living organisms.

Abiotic factors

• The living components of an ecosystem, such as plants and animals.

• The non-living parts of the ecosystem including air, water, rocks, sand, light, and temperature.

• The interactions between living organisms in an ecosystem.

• The processes that occur within the biosphere.