Ecology Basics

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ecology

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the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their environment

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ecosystem

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a community of interacting organisms and their environment

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biome

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an area classified according to the species that live in that location, ex. desert, forest, tundra

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abiotic

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all the NON-LIVING factors in an ecosystem, ex. wind, sunlight, water

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biotic

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all the LIVING or ONCE LIVING factors in an ecosystem, ex. plants, animals, dead leaves

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food chain

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a linear sequence of energy flow from one organism to another (prey -> predator)

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food web

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a diagram that shows all of the food chains in an ecosystem

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energy pyramid

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a model that shows how energy flows from one feeding level to the next

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trophic level

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the position an organism occupies in an ecosystem, ex. producer, primary consumer, etc

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biogeochemical cycle

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the movement and change of chemical elements and compounds between living things, the atmosphere and the Earth's crust.