Ecological Levels of Organization (from biggest to small- Biosphere (biomes), Ecosystem, Communities, Popula-
est) tions, Organism
Biomes Aquatic, Forests, Grasslands, Wetlands
Where nitrogen molecules are "fixed" back to usable ni-
Denitrification (nitrogen cycle) trogen. This is done naturally by legumes, algae, bacteria,
and lightning
Phosphorus Absorbed by plants through their roots
A process used by plants and other autotrophs to capture
light and energy and use it to power chemical reactions
Photosynthesis
that convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and
chemical energy.
Transpiration Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant
Respiration Inhalation and exhalation of air.
Nutrient cycles are required by organisms for... Growth, reproduction, and maintenance (not sleep)
Green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy used to
Chlorophyll
carry out photosynthesis
Wetland supplied by rainwater, acidic so they accumulate
Bog
dead and carnivorous plants
Fen Wetland that is supplied by groundwater
Wetland that has grasses and reeds. Can be tidal or
Marsh
non-tidal.
Swamp Forested (woody) wetland with large trees and shrubs
Role of the organism in the community. Can be competi-
Niche
tion, predation, parasitism, mutualism
A positive interaction and niche where both species ben-
Mutualism
efit
, A positive interaction that is not a niche because one
Commensalism
species benefits while the other is unaffected
A negative interaction and niche between two organisms
Competition
for the same resource
A negative interaction and niche where one species kills
Predation
another for food
The series of predictable changes that occur in a commu-
Succession
nity over time due to geological disturbances
A stable, mature community that undergoes little or no
Climax community
change in species over time after its final succession
An ecological succession that begins in an area where no
Primary succession biotic community previously existed like glaciers receding
or volcanoes erupting.
Succession following a disturbance that destroys a com-
Secondary succession
munity without destroying the soil like forest fires
First species to populate an area during primary succes-
Pioneer species
sion like lichen
Established in 1978 to expand ecosystem management
Conservation Biology
efforts
Created in 1948 to set emission standards for cars, and
Clean Air Act
limits for release of air pollutants
Population density Number of individuals per unit area
Largest number of individuals of a population that a envi-
Carrying capacity
ronment can support
Conditions in the environment that put limits on where an
Limiting factors
organism can live
Biotic factors living parts of an ecosystem