Ecological Terminology
 Niche = the role of the
species in a specific area
Ecological Terminology
 Fundamental niche = the
potential space that could
be used by a species
 Realized niche = part of the
fundamental niche that is
actually used by a species
Ecological Terminology
 Habitat = the place where a
group of animals live
Ecological Terminology
 Population = a group of the
same species
Ecological Terminology
 Community = the many
different species that live in
a habitat
Ecological Terminology
 Ecosystem = the
community of species and
the physical features in an
area
Ecological Terminology
 Biotic features = the living
features in an ecosystem
Ecological Terminology
 Biodiversity = the variety
of living species
Ecological Terminology
 Flora = the plants
Ecological Terminology
 Fauna = the animals
Ecological Terminology
 Abiotic Features = the
nonliving features in an
ecosystem
Ecological Terminology
 Primary succession =
succession that occurs
where no species existed
before
Ecological Terminology
 Pioneer Species = first
species to enter an area
Ecological Terminology
 Secondary succession =
succession in areas that
have established species
Tropical Rainforest
 Long wet period, short dry
period
 Hot all year
 Rich variety of life
Tropical Rainforest
Deserts
 Little moisture
 Varying daily temps
 Poor variety of life
Deserts
Savanna (tropical
grassland)
 Wet season / dry season
 Warm all year
 Characterized by tall
grasses and few trees
Savanna
Temperate grassland
 Wet season / dry season
 Seasons
 Also known as the Pampas
(S.A.) an the Steppe (Asia)
Temperate Grassland
Deciduous Forest
 Moderate precip all year
 Definite seasons
 Characterized by
deciduous trees (oak,elm)
Deciduous Forest
Taiga
 Moderate precipitation
 Cold winters / cool
summers
 Characterized by
coniferous trees (pines)
Taiga
Tundra
 Dry season / wet season
 Cold all year
 Characterized by
prermafrost and lack of
trees
Tundra
I. Species= a
group of
organisms that
can interbreed
successfully
- New species can be created by isolation
- Species can be lost by extinction
* Can be result of natural
selection or man-mad
Types of Population
Growth
 Exponential Growth =
rapid growth due to lack of
limiting factors

* forms a “J” curve
Types of Population
Growth
- Logistic Growth = slow
growth when controlled by
factors
* forms an “S” curve
Size of Populations
 Large = too large can create
shortages of resources
Size of Populations
 Small = too small can lead
to inbreeding
Populations
3. Density = number of
individuals in a given area
Dispersion of Populations
Density Dependent Factors
= dependent on the # of animals
 Food, water
 Disease , parasites
 Predator / prey
Density Independent Factors = not
influenced by population numbers
 Weather Events
 Changes in ecosystem
Carrying Capacity
 Maximum # of indiv. an
environment can support
Native Species
 Have always existed in an
area
Immigrant Species = are
new to an area
(introduced, exotic)
Indicator Species
 Change quickly in response
to changes in the
environment
Keystone species
 Actions lead to changes in
many different species
“r” Strategists
 Little parental care
 High mortality
 High fluctuation in
population
“k” Strategist
 Intense parental care
 High survivability
 Stable populations
Interaction Among Species
A. Predation = one organism
feeds off another
Interaction Among Species
B. Parasitism = one organism feeds off
anther without killing it
Interaction Among Species
1. Host = organism that
supports the parasite
2. Ectoparasite = parasite that
lives on the outside of the
body
Interaction Among Species
3. Endoparasite = parasite
that lives inside the host
Interaction Among Species
1. Mutualism = relationship in
which both members
benefit
Interaction Among Species
2. Commensalism =
relationship in which one
species benefits and the
other is not affected.
Defense by Plants
A. Chemical = production of
toxins
Defense by plants
Defense by Plants
B. Mechanical = growth of
thorns, spines or release of
sticky secretions
Defense by Plants
Defense by Plants
C. Biotic = host protective
species
Defense by Animals
A. Cammoflauge = blend in to
environment
Defense by Animals
B. Aposematic coloration =
“warning” colors
Defense by Animals
C. Chemical = production of
repellents
Defense by Animals
D. Structural = barriers
against attack
Defense by Animals
E. Behavioral = behavior
discourages attack
Mutualism
 Both members benefit
Ex: Rhino and oxpecker
Parasitism
 One member benefits and
the other is harmed
ex: cat and tapeworm
Commensalism
 One member benefits and
the other is not affected
ex: clown fish and sea
anemone
Water Cycle
 Evaporation = liquid to gas
 Transpiration = release of
water vapor from plants
 Condensation = water
droplets form
 Precipitation = droplets fall
Carbon Cycle
 Carbon dioxide (CO2) is
absorbed by plants during
photosynthesis
- some carbon dioxide
dissolves in the ocean and
is used by shellfish to make
their shells
* plants and oceans are
carbon “reservoirs”
Carbon Cycle
 Plants and animals return
CO2 to the air during
respiration and
decomposition
Carbon Cycle
 Some plants and animals
die and form fossil fuels
Carbon Cycle
 Burning fossil fuels release
carbon dioxide into the air
Nitrogen Cycle
 Nitrogen Fixation =
atmospheric nitrogen is
converted into ammonia
compounds
- N2 cannot be used
directly by plants
- process takes place in
the roots of legumes by
bacteria
Nitrogen Cycle
 Nitrification = ammonia
compounds are converted
into nitrates
Nitrogen Cycle
 Assimilation = plants use
the nitrates
Nitrogen Cycle
 Dentrification = left over
ammonia is converted into
atmospheric nitrogen by
bacteria in soil and released
into the air