Resources in Ecosystems

Front

Biosphere Noun

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[bai-oh-sfeer]

Back

Biosphere

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The parts of Earth and the surrounding atmosphere that contain all living organisms and support life.

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Example: The image shows how the biosphere includes parts of the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere, supporting all life.

Front

Ecosystem Noun

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[ee-koh-sis-tuhm]

Back

Ecosystem

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A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, including all living and nonliving things.

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Example: A pond ecosystem showing fish, plants, and water interacting as a community.

Front

Individual Noun

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[in-duh-vij-oo-uhl]

Back

Individual

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A single, separate organism distinguished from other organisms of the same kind; a single member of a species.

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Example: A bacterium shown as a single organism, illustrating the concept of an individual in an ecosystem.

Front

Species Noun

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[spee-sheez]

Back

Species

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A group of living organisms with similar traits that are capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.

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Example: Different species like penguins, tigers, and butterflies are shown with their scientific names, illustrating species diversity.

Front

Population Noun

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[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

Back

Population

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All the organisms of the same species that live in the same geographical area at the same time.

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Example: This image shows different species living together in the same area, illustrating a population in an ecosystem.

Front

Community Noun

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[kuh-myoo-ni-tee]

Back

Community

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All the different populations of various species that live together and interact in a particular area or habitat.

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Example: The image shows different species like birds, mammals, and insects living together, illustrating a community in an ecosystem.

Front

Limiting Factor Noun

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[lim-i-ting fak-ter]

Back

Limiting Factor

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An environmental factor or resource that restricts the size, growth, or distribution of a population in an ecosystem.

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Example: Different organisms in an ecosystem can be affected by limiting factors like food or space.

Front

Predation Noun

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[pre-dey-shuhn]

Back

Predation

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A biological interaction where one organism, the predator, hunts, kills, and eats another organism, its prey.

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Example: A fox hunts and eats a fish, showing predation.

Front

Competition Noun

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[kom-pi-tish-uhn]

Back

Competition

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The struggle between two or more organisms for the same limited resources, such as food, water, or territory.

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Example: Multiple hands reaching for one loaf of bread show competition for limited resources.

Front

Drought Noun

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[drout]

Back

Drought

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A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water that affects the environment.

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Example: Cracked earth and dry trees show how drought leads to water shortages and affects the environment.