Ecology and Environment Terms

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Abiotic

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Non-living parts of an environment, like sunlight, temperature, water, and soil.

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Biotic

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Living parts of an environment, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi.

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Carrying Capacity

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The maximum number of individuals in a species that an environment can support long-term without degrading the environment.

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Community

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All the different populations (groups of organisms) that live and interact in the same area.

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Emigration

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When organisms leave one area to live in another, reducing the population size in the original area.

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Habitat

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The natural environment where an organism lives, including all the abiotic and biotic factors it needs.

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Immigration

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When organisms move into a new area, increasing the population size there.

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Limiting Factors

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Environmental conditions that limit the growth, size, or survival of a population (e.g., food, water, space).

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Niche

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The role an organism plays in its environment, including what it eats, where it lives, and how it interacts with other organisms.

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Population Density

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The number of individuals of a species per unit area or volume (e.g., 50 deer per square kilometer).