Ecology and Environmental Science Terms

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Biosphere

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Part of Earth where life exists, including land, water, and air or atmosphere

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Ecology

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The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and the environment

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Species

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A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring

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Population

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Groups of individuals of the same species that live in the same area

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Community

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An assembly of different populations that live together in a defined area

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Ecosystem

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All the organisms that live in a place, together with their nonliving environment

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Biotic factor

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Any living part of the environment with which an organism might interact

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Abiotic factor

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A physical or non-living factor that shapes an ecosystem

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Atmosphere

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A thin layer of gases that surrounds the Earth

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Hydrosphere

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All of the water- salt water and freshwater, in the form of liquid, ice, or vapor above and below Earth's surface and in the atmosphere