Unit 9: Biodiversity Vocabulary
Word
Definition
Biodiversity
Variety of life (different
species, variety within
species-genetics, variation
of habitat); more
biodiversity = more stable
Sustainability
Ability for an
ecosystem to
withstand stresses
(drought, floods) and
still be productive over
time; more biodiversity
= more sustainable
Levels of Ecological
Organization
Habitat
Microhabitat
Organism
population
Community
ecosystem
biosphere
An area where an
organism lives and
provides what it
needs (Home, food,
water)
An area where and
organism lives within a
habitat. Ex: Ants living in a
dead log in a forest.
Picture or Example
Biosphere
The ecosystem comprising
the entire earth and the
living organisms that live
on it.
Biome
Terrestrial: Tundra, Taiga,
Deciduous Forest, Tropical
Rainforest, Desert,
Grassland
Aquatic: Freshwater,
Saltwater
Tundra
Taiga
Decidious Forest
Tropical Rainforest
Coldest biome, dry,
low biodiversity, and
permafrost
Coniferous Forest,
Cold, Soil not very
fertile, moderate
biodiversity
Oak and Maple
trees, soil very
fertile, Moderate
biodiversity
Warm, humid,
constantly raining,
shallow, poor soil,
most biodiversity
Desert
Very dry, sandy soil,
low biodiversity.
Grassland
Mainly grass, few
trees, savanah
prarie, moderatelow biodiversity.
Freshwater
Low salt content
Saltwater
High salt content
Adaptation
Native Species
Invasive Species
Ecological
Succession
Changes in organism
to become more
suited to an
environment
Organsims that live
in an area without
being brought there
by humans or
human activity
Organsim that is not
native and has
effects to the
environment
Replacement of
simple organsims
with more complex
organism in an area
over time
Primary Succession
Begin in a place
without any soil,
only rock
Secondary
Succession
Begins in place that
already has soil and
once was the home
of living organsims
Pioneer Species
First organism to
arrive
Climax Community
Stable stage of
ecological succesion
Review Terms:
Abiotic
Biotic
Organism
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Predator
Prey
Producer
Consumer
Decomposer
Herbivore
Carnivore
Omnivore
Food Chain
Food Web