Flashcards: Ecology and Ecosystem Fundamentals — 16 cards

Ecology — definition?

Study of organism-environment relationships.

Photosynthesis — role?

Converts sunlight into chemical energy.

Niches — function?

Describe organism roles and resource use.

Ecological Interactions — types?

Mutualism, commensalism, competition, predation.

Nutrient Flow — mechanism?

Cycling of chemicals between biotic and abiotic.

Biosphere — location?

Earth's surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.

Biomes — examples?

Forests, grasslands, wetlands, aquatic habitats.

Ecosystems — components?

Biotic and abiotic elements interacting.

Freshwater Biomes — examples?

Lakes, rivers, ponds.

Marine Biomes — salt?

High salt concentration, oceans, estuaries.

Tropical Forests — climate?

Warm, wet, high biodiversity.

Temperate Forests — seasons?

Distinct seasons, deciduous and coniferous.

Taiga — location?

Northern, cold, conifer-dominated forests.

Wetland Biomes — features?

Poorly drained soils, marshes, swamps.

Primary succession — start?

On bare rock, no soil present.

Secondary succession — occurs?

After disturbance, soil remains intact.