Marine Ecology Review

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Commensalism

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A type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is unaffected.

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Niche

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The ecological role of an organism within its ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other organisms.

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Biomass

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The total amount of renewable organic matter produced by organisms at each trophic level.

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Mutualism

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A symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

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Autotrophs

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Organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, gaining energy from sunlight or chemical reactions.

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Heterotrophs

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Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms for energy.

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Trophic Level

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The position an organism occupies in a food chain, which determines its role in the flow of energy and nutrients.

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Ecosystem

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A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, including both biotic and abiotic factors.

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Primary Producers

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Organisms, such as plants and phytoplankton, that produce energy through photosynthesis and form the base of the food chain.

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Decomposers

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Organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.